Atlas Shrugs

Christian Soldiers Banned from The Quran in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan

The collapse of American will. More sharia provisions in the military. Non-Muslims are not allowed to handle the quran unless they are considering converting to Islam or are being targeted for conversion.

"Unless your military dog tags identify you as of the Muslim faith, you cannot obtain a copy of the Quran from the military chaplain." So American soldiers who wish to study the quran to understand the enemy threat doctrine are disarmed and subjected to enemy propaganda instead.

Abject surrender to a comprehensive legal system that mandates our subjugation and annihilation.

Christian Soldiers Banned from The Quran in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan Posted By Blackfive • [February 28, 2012] (hat tip Brandy)

Received more than a few emails regarding new guidance in light of the accidental Quran burnings in Afghanistan.

Now, unless your military dog tags identify you as of the Muslim faith, you cannot obtain a copy of the Quran from the military chaplain. The exception is if your commander stops fighting the war long enough to write up a memo requesting one for you including the reason why you want a Quran. 

And, if you are a Muslim and obtain a Quran, it will be accounted for like any other sensitive item.

Can you order one up from Barnes & Noble?  Sure.  You just can't get one from the chaplain.

Wow. 

Does the chaplain refuse to give the bible to soldiers with Muslim on their dog tags?

This is just sad...

No, it is not sad. It is surrender to Islam.

Eyewitness

A letter from a retired Colonel:

Dear Ms. Geller:

I sought contact with you because you are one of the few who sees Islam for what it is. Certainly our president and our government fail to recognize the danger to both the United States and Israel if the Islamists are allowed to continue their consolidation of power.  Or maybe, they know and are giving their tacit approval in efforts to "fundamentally change" our nation.
 
I’ve read a number of articles you’ve written regarding our most insidious enemy, radical Islam. I have yet to read anything you’ve written that’s not the truth. I’m amazed at the number of Leftists, who label you a "loon," or a purveyor of hate. Sadly, most of your detractors are so taken in by the very excellent Muslim propaganda machine operating in our country and funded by George Soros and others who seek to destroy us as a free nation. Most see the truth as hate, because they hate the truth!
 
I served in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait during the First Gulf War, 1990-91. I also was stationed in Kuwait from 1996-2000. I lived and worked in two different Islamic nations for nearly five years. I studied Islam through tutelage provided by the Islamic Presentation Committee at the Grand Mosque of Kuwait. I was taught the Koran, the Hadith as well as the Sunnah! It didn’t take me long to realize that Islam is a Political System, masquerading as a religion. It’s also a sham; if they’re ever was one.
 
U’bul Kassim, (AKA Mohammad) borrowed heavily from both Judaism and Christianity. What didn’t suit him from these two great religions, he either borrowed from paganism and animism; or he made it up. Many times he kind of shot from the hip so to speak.  Islam was a great recruiting tool for pirates and brigands.  Converts to Mohammed's new religion could rob, rape, steal, murder...all in the name of Islam.  Jews and Christians neither were protected unless they converted and even then they were often times imprisoned or killed!
 
The bottom line up front is that Islam is going to destroy us. Shockingly, our Liberal Socialist media and Hollywood elites are enabling the Islamists. But then, so has our armed forces! During the First Gulf War, EVERY U.S. installation in Saudi Arabia was inundated with Muslim proselytizers who converted large numbers of our troops. Most were convenience conversions for either money or favors, but some took. What future price are we going to pay accordingly, for the large numbers of real converts, now in their forties and early fifties? That remains to be seen.
 
An issue that is not being addressed, is the politicization of our armed forces, particularly amongst our senior leadership! This has had a serious impact on our national commitment to the defense of Israel.

When I was a new Second Lieutenant, I was commissioned in the Armor Branch and studied tank warfare. In 1974 the world’s most experienced and expert practitioners of tank warfare were in the Israel Defense Force. Israeli officers at Ft. Knox were held in high esteem. They were the superstars of the day. After all, they had won the Yom Kippur War, only a year earlier. They’d fought in the largest tank battle since Kursk, in WW2!  And, they won!
 
That all changed however. By the time I retired, U.S. officers, even GENERAL officers were heard to call the Israelis "F----- Kikes." I took issue with the anti-Semitism every time it came my way. My reward was to be labeled a "Jew lover."  By 2001, there existed more animosity toward the Israelis, than toward the Arabs. 9/11 had an impact on this, yet so many displayed the attitude that if the U.S. cut our ties with Israel, our troubles in the Middle East would subside. I suppose many were "Ron Paul" before Ron Paul was cool.
 
The Obama Administration is the most anti-Israel Government we’ve ever had. I can’t think of another president who was so pro-Arab at the expense of our Israeli allies. Yet our partisan media fails to report this, as they fail to report anything that might be detrimental to Obama.  I worry about Israel.
 
I’ll continue to follow your Website, read your AT articles and support you anyway I can. Thank you for what you do. I can’t understand how so many people have become intoxicated on the Obama Kool-Aid.  If I can ever assist you in any of your research or the development of ideas in exposing the truth about Islam, please feel free to ask.  I lived it and I'm a witness to the brutality of Islam and the reality of Islam.
 
Best regards,
 
XXXXXXX
Lt. Colonel, US Army

Hamas Group CAIR Forces Decorated Army General to Withdraw From West Point address

Imagine a similar headline in the 1940's: "Nazis pressure retired general, critic of Third Reich to back out of West Point event." Sound outlandish? But that's what it is. And that's where we are. Ten years after 911, a decorated war general is forced to withdraw from speaking at West Point because Islamic supremacists demand it.

I know General Boykin. He is a giant among men. A hero. This is crushing. Do Americans not see what is happening? Right in front of their faces?

Newt Gingrich has promised to prosecute the un-indicted co-conspirators named in the largest Hamas funding trial. He gets it.

“We welcome Mr. Boykin’s withdrawal from this event and hope that the speaker who replaces him will offer cadets a spiritual message that promotes tolerance and mutual understanding,” said Hamas-linked CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad in a statement.

The army couldn't stand up for one of their own?

CAIR pressures retired general, critic of Islam, to back out of West Point event Daily Caller

Army officer who sparked controversy with remarks on Islam pulls out of West Point address Washington Post

The Council on American-Islamic Relations announced Monday night that it had successfully prevented retired Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin from speaking at an upcoming prayer breakfast at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“We welcome Mr. Boykin’s withdrawal from this event and hope that the speaker who replaces him will offer cadets a spiritual message that promotes tolerance and mutual understanding,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad in a statement.

West Point initially balked at the calls to remove Boykin — a former military intelligence officer — from the event.

Lt. Col. Sherri Reed of West Point told The Associated Press that cadets are “purposefully exposed to different perspectives and cultures.”

“The National Prayer Breakfast Service will be pluralistic with Christians, Jewish, and Muslim cadets participating,” Reed said. “We are comfortable and confident that what retired Lt. Gen. Boykin will share about prayer, soldier care and selfless service, will be in keeping with the broad range of ideas normally considered by our cadets.”

Boykin backed out of the event on his own volition, according to a report from Fox News.

The retired lieutenant general has been on CAIR’s radar for casting Islam in a poor light, specifically in speeches in which he analogizing the War on Terror to a war against Satan.

Read the rest

Plea Deal Ends Haditha Blood Libel Trial

Gitmo detainees get restaurants in Bermuda and our soldiers get this.

Band of Mothers Bev Perlson cries, "After all these Marines have been through, dragging their noble service, good names and families through the mud, the last Haditha Marine, Sgt Wuterich is charged with dereliction of duty?!!!!  What an outrage and what a disgrace what this Marine and all the Haditha Marines have been put through!  This entire disgraceful treatment of our Marines was fueled by a tantrum thrown by the corrupt Ex-Marine John Murtha and fueled further by those on the left who know nothing about loyalty to our brave men and women and their honorable service! 

Thanks to all who have stood by our Marines and those who support them!  Our prayers have been answered.  Thanks to Sgt Tim for keeping us informed and look forward to your commentary!      

"Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich agreed to plead guilty Monday to one count of negligent dereliction of duty, ending his trial on manslaughter and related charges for his role in the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in 2005."

This is the left in America, attacking, destroying, shredding all that is good, decent and fine.

Plea Ends Haditha War Crimes Trial

Press Release, Aexandria VA January 23, 2012/12:45PM:
“No one denies that the consequences of November 19, 2005 were tragic, least of all SSgt Frank Wuterich.  But the fact of the matter is that he has now been totally exonerated of the homicide charges brought against him by the government and the media.  For six years, he’s had his name dragged through the mud.  Today, we hope, is the beginning of his redemption.  He has always publicly taken responsibility for the lawful actions of his squad that day, as portrayed in his interview with CBS 60 Minutes.  Today’s agreement is completely consistent with everything he has always said.  Which is that the decisions he made that day led to an outcome that was tragic and regrettable and he takes responsibility for them, but they were not criminal.”

Please see Mark Walker’s Article here.

Free the Last Marine

If only Obama were as concerned with freeing our fighting heroes as he is with freeing killers from GITMO. This is a travesty.

Basta!

There is disposition of the cases against all of the Haditha Marines, except for one.

The former Marine officer who gave Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich the order to “clear” an Iraqi house near the site of an explosion that had just killed a Marine testified Friday that he expected Wuterich and his squad to “kill or capture the enemy I thought was in that building.”

William Kallop, who was a lieutenant in 2005 and is now a stockbroker in New York, said he believed insurgents inside the house were firing on Marines and thus the house could be deemed “hostile.”

According to the rules of engagement, Wuterich and his Marines were justified in using any amount of firepower in assaulting a “hostile” structure without identifying whether the people inside were combatants, Kallop said.

Kallop’s testimony came at the court-martial of Wuterich on charges of manslaughter, assault and dereliction of duty in the killing of 24 Iraqis by Marines on Nov. 19, 2005, in the Euphrates River community of Haditha. Among the Iraqis killed were three women and seven children.

While Kallop, who was a platoon commander, was called as a prosecution witness, his testimony appears to support the defense contention that Wuterich followed both his orders and training in assaulting two houses after the explosion that killed Marine Cpl. Miguel Terrazas and injured two other Marines.

The jury comprises four officers and four senior enlisted personnel, all with combat experience in Iraq or Afghanistan or both, as well as experience in “clearing” houses.

A Marine lawyer, testifying after Kallop, gave a different interpretation of the rules of engagement. Maj. Kathryn Navin, who had lectured Marines before they deployed, said a house cannot be declared hostile unless the people inside are known to have “hostile intent” or have committed “hostile acts.”

But Kallop said that in training at Camp Pendleton and March Reserve Air Base, and at briefings delivered in Iraq, Marines were not told they needed to identify individual targets as threatening when assaulting a “hostile” structure.

He said that he ordered “Clear south” and Wuterich responded, “Roger that, Sir.” He did not tell Wuterich that the house was “hostile,” Kallop said.

But Wuterich, in gathering his squad for the assault, told one of the Marines that the house was hostile and that the Marines should shoot first and ask questions later, according to testimony from former Marine Stephen Tatum.

No insurgents or weapons were found in two houses “cleared” by Marines. Dozens of Jordanian passports and stacks of American hundred-dollar bills were found in another house, however, indicating the neighborhood may have been used by insurgents as a staging point for attacks, Marine intelligence officers testified at preliminary hearings.

Kallop testified that after the explosion that ripped apart a Humvee, Marines were under attack by “a few bursts of small-arms fire.” He said he ordered a Marine to fire a grenade at the house after seeing a “turkey-peeker,” military jargon for a military-age male sneaking a look at Marines in a suspicious manner.

Kallop said he expected Wuterich to lead the Marines in his squad “to conduct movement to contact and kill or capture the enemy I thought was in that building.”

Responding to a question from defense attorney Haytham Faraj, Kallop said Marines are not required to risk their lives by stopping to identify individual targets while assaulting a hostile structure.

This whole legal conversation is dancing on the head of a pin, with wrangling over wording, the specificity of orders in the middle of heated battle, and second thinking that could work to make their future more hazardous if they allowed it to become self-doubt.

We have covered this before, but it pays to revisit this now that Wuterich is finally at trial.  When my son entered the Marine Corps in January of 2006, he completed boot camp at Parris Island and School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, having been trained in both by recent veterans of Operation al Fajr.

When he entered the infantry as a fleet Marine, he was trained by men who were veterans of al Fajr or other similar combat.  It is impossible to overstate the influence and affect that al Fajr had on the Marine Corps infantry at that time, from culture to core beliefs about battle tactics, to necessary equipment, and finally to training.

Clearing tactics were taught to boot Marines by veterans of al Fajr, and the tactics taught were those employed in Fallujah in 2004.  So when my son deployed to Fallujah in April of 2007, he employed the same tactics and culture taught to him by veterans of combat from 2004 in Iraq.

When he and other Lance Corporals attempted to teach those same tactics and apply that same culture to their own boot Marines in 2008, they usually got into significant trouble with senior NCOs and officers.  The Marine Corps infantry culture and tactics had changed to the point that the veterans of Iraq found no home for what they knew, and most or all of them left the Marines.

If this was true of my son, who joined late in 2005, this was true in the superlative of Marines who were deployed in 2005.  Again, it is impossible to overestimate the affect of al Fajr on the Marines at that time.

The Haditha Marines were charged on the watch of General Mattis.  While Mattis has a storied history of his own in Iraq and elsewhere, I do now and have always held against him that he knew all of this and still allowed the prosecution to go ahead.  The careers of many fine Marines were ruined over this.

It is now time to put this whole ugly affair behind us.  No, not any ugliness associated with what the Marines did on that day.  The Marines didn’t wait to identify inhabitants.  In room clearing operations after Operation al Fajr, room inhabitants perished.  That’s what the Marines were taught to do.

I talking about the ugliness of the self-hatred on display in these despicable, perverse and obscene show trials.  It’s time to free the last Haditha Marine.

Pamela Geller, WND Column: The Marines' Victory Tinkle

Check out my weekly column today, "Defending the West."

The Marines’ victory tinkle Pamela Geller, WND

Exclusive: Pamela Geller lists Islamic atrocities that get far less media coverage

As soon as the Marine victory tinkle story “broke,” I went public immediately with my support at my website AtlasShrugs.com and on news broadcasts, saying, “So what?” The name-calling and attacks commenced, trying to squelch the beginnings of any support for our fighting men. The enemedia cannot get enough of the trashing of our men and women in uniform. Pure evil.

Who leaked the Marine video? That is the real story. The timing of its release is deliberate and points to the ugliest of motives.

Our boys and girls are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan after 10 years of battling an enemy so evil and bloodthirsty that most Americans would weep if they had any idea what these savages do, how they “live” and die. The people haven’t a real clue, because the enemedia obfuscates and either under-reports or doesn’t report at all the actual news – and when they do, they speak affectionately of an enemy so brutal and bloodthirsty that it defies the Western mind. Jihadis did far worse to American corpses in Fallujah and Somalia, and it was excused, downplayed, denied, forgotten. But this? The coverage is nonstop.

Our troops are coming home, and this story breaks? Now? Why? So that our troops have a Vietnam welcome? So that the American people will rebuke our returning soldiers? The victory tinkle took place in spring or summer of 2011. Why now?

The media are all over the victory tinkle like maggots on dead flesh, beside themselves at the idea that we somehow disrespected devout murdering jihadists. The nonstop reportage focuses on the “outrage.” Whose? Theirs, that of the enemedia and our enemies. Americans by and large think it’s no big deal. And they’re right.

Saturday, the New York Times set up the next media fiction to save the destroyer in the White House. Get this: The Times advanced the idea that these Marines were responsible for the failure of Obama’s “peace” negotiations with these soulless savages. As if.

Think about the timing of the tinkle news drop. You. Are. Being. So. Played, America.

On Friday, I was at CNN studios being interviewed for SUN TV, and I heard some loud, self-important pundit calling for the prosecution of Gen. Petraeus and other military brass over the Marines’ victory tinkle. This hot pile of steaming dung is being heaped upon the American people in an endless loop.

Did the three jihadis plotting attacks in America last week get this much press?

Did the Alabama Muslim who was shooting at police in order “to draw attention to Islam” get as much press?

Did the devout Florida Muslim who was arrested for plotting to blow up nightclubs and a sheriff’s office and to use an explosive belt to “get in somewhere where there’s a lot of people” and take hostages get as much press?

Did another in a series of attacks on New Jersey synagogues get as much press? Or the fact that the rabbi and his family were targeted when molotov cocktails were thrown in their bedroom window? Did they get press?

Did the Islamic slaughter of beautiful Zainab Shafia and her sisters, Sahar, 17, and Geeti, 13, in an honor killing get as much press? Their Muslim father, who murdered them, said: “May the devil s–t on their graves. Is that what a daughter should be? Would a daughter be such a whore? … God’s curse on them for generations. … They betrayed Islam.”

Did the recent public whipping of a convert out of Islam in Somalia get any coverage?

Did the treasonous Rep. Mark Siljander who was sentenced to prison last week for taking blood money to get Islamic “charities” that were funding jihad off the terror list get as much press?

Was the press outraged over the slaughter of blacks in Libya by the new jihadist government?

Was the press outraged over the beating and sodomy of Moammar Gadhafi?

Was the press outraged by the sexual attack (while screaming “Jew!”) by the “freedom” protesters in Egypt?

I could go on and on and on: the slaughter of Christians in Muslim countries, the jihad in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya, Ethiopia, the jihad against the Jews … you get the picture. Never this much media coverage.

The press is wringing their hands, crying like little girls that this might upset the terrorists and incite jihad. Trust me, thumbsuckers, with or without the wee wee, they are coming after you. They are upset over a tinkle? Well, the majority of Americans are upset over the horrors these jihadis have visited upon Americans.

Offended? I am more offended by Valerie Jarrett telling a decorated officer to bring her a drink at a cocktail party.

Predictably, not only the media but the Hamas-tied Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has again sided with jihadists against the U.S. military. Always. Apparently they are a “Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization” for the jihadists in the Taliban, al-Shabaab, Hamas, Hezbollah, et al.

Here’s the thing. The Hamas liars of CAIR say that jihad and pure Islam is “fringe,” “extremist.” So why do they care about disrespecting the Taliban? According to CAIR lies, Taliban and jihadists do not represent Islam, as they have “hijacked Islam.” So why would CAIR care about “respect”? CAIR calls these Marines immoral, but considers honor killings, clitorectomies, forced marriage, child marriage, polygamy, subjugation of women, the slaughter of non-Muslims and Jew-hatred moral?

There is talk of jail time for the Marines who risked life and limb to protect you, your children, your town, your country. A reprimand, yes, OK. Jail time? Let them try it. We will descend on Capitol Hill with pitchforks and torches in hand, and we will storm the Bastille.

The press is the enemy.

G-d bless the U.S. Marines.

Pamela Geller, WND Column: Obama in Wonderland

Don't miss my weekly column in today's WND:

Obama in Wonderland

Exclusive: Pamela Geller declares, ‘Moochers and looters are making the laws’

While Americans were struggling to make ends meet in the fall of 2009, one place in America was a Wonderland populated with glitterati who hosted lavish parties for themselves: the White House.

“The New York Post revealed Sunday that for Halloween that year, actor Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) and Hollywood director Tim Burton constructed an elaborate Wonderland in the White House’s State Dining Room. Chewbacca from the “Star Wars” movies greeted guests. The whole thing was so lavish that Barack Obama knew how bad this luxurious party would look to American taxpayers, and succeeded in keeping the whole thing quiet for over two years.

Obama was right. Pigs at the trough. How can you expect someone who never earned one to respect a hard-earned dollar? There was a time when public officials would worry about their jobs if they used, abused, squandered Americans’ taxpayer dollars; now it’s a rite of passage.

Just imagine what the media uproar over this would be if Obama were a Republican. Who can forget the giant thrashing Bush took for his inauguration fete, which cost a mere $40 million, which amounts to little more than the tax on Obama’s inauguration orgy of $170 million. And that was just the kick-off. Last week alone, the Obamas’ spare-no-expense 17-day Hawaiian holiday cost taxpayers $4 million. The Obamas once again did their best to hide their profligacy: Michelle Obama wore an apparently simple sundress that was actually a designer item costing nearly $2,000.

Remember how the media obsessed over Sarah Palin’s wardrobe? That same media ignores Michelle Obama’s outrageous wardrobe.

Meanwhile, in his new budget Obama is proposing a pay raise for civilian federal workers. It is already depraved and degenerate that federal workers’ median salary is almost double that of private-sector employees. It is public “service”; where’s the “service”? And this new pay raise proposal is even more depraved: People can’t find work and these parasites are getting a raise.

At the same time, the Obama administration is planning to lay off 500,000 military personnel.

How is all of this happening without the masses rising up in horror? The enemedia keep folks in the dark.

Read the rest here.

Shot of the day

Thanks to John N.  for this

The Commander-in-Chief's War on Our Military

Imagine, Obama had the unmitigated gall to make these remarks at the Pentagon, in the first visit by a U.S. president to the Pentagon briefing room. Like a conquering Caesar at the military headquarters of the vanquished enemy. Like .......... the Ground Zero mosque.

At a time when the world has never been more dangerous, Obama is disarming, literally, the nation. And the media monster machine is ignoring this act of treason and its deadly ramifications; instead, they are eating right wing babies and crucifying right-wing Jews.

The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America -- read it.

Obama Unveils New Strategy for Scaled-Down Military (hat tip Peter)

After a decade of war, President Obama today outlined his strategy for a leaner, less-costly military with an increased focus on emerging threats from Asia, saying "we need to be smart, strategic and set priorities" as the Pentagon faces steep budget cuts.

"The tide of war is receding. But the question that this strategy answers is what kind of military will we need after the long wars of the last decade are over. And today, we're moving forward, from a position of strength," Obama said in the first visit by a U.S. president to the Pentagon briefing room.

With U.S. troops out of Iraq and the drawdown underway in Afghanistan, the new strategy includes...

Pentagon: Islamic Terrorist threats by Jihadist sympathizers against U.S. troops are real, 2 plots against military personnel and facilities

Have Obama, the media, the leftoids, and Islamic supremacists blamed us greasy islamophobes for this yet?

As terrible as this threat is, are we busy with strategy in defeating the enemy? No, we are consumed by "language semantics."

Pentagon: Terrorist threats by al-Qaida sympathizers against U.S. troops are real Stars and Stripes (hat tip Kenneth)

WASHINGTON – Terrorist attacks by al-Qaida sympathizers against troops living in the United States or their families remain a real and disconcerting threat, defense officials told Congress on Wednesday.

But lawmakers at that hearing criticized Pentagon officials for their continued refusal to identify “radical Islamist extremists” as the core threat to military personnel, saying their insistence on being politically correct might be jeopardizing America’s safety.

The language semantics have been an ongoing fight between defense officials and members of the congressional homeland security committees since the 2009 Fort Hood attacks, a shooting where 56 base personnel were killed and wounded by a Muslim Army psychiatrist.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fourth in a controversial series on the “homegrown terrorist threat” and Islamic extremism. In addition, the committees released a new report detailing 32 plots against military personnel and facilities in the United States since the Sept. 11 attacks, including Fort Hood and the 2009 Arkansas shooting of two Army recruiters.

US MIlitary Jihad: Rep. Peter King to hold fourth round of hearings

Here is the power point presentation that Muslim terrorist Hasan gave on grand rounds (the page turns every 12 seconds. Read it all).

.

Expect Representative Peter King to suffer relentless attacks for stating the obvious. Addressing jihad in the military is very tricky, particularly since the military won't address jihad in the military even when our soldiers are slaughtered by Muslim soldiers in our rank and file, like Major Hassan. The Pentagon in its investigation and final report on the Fort Hood Jihad refused to address the religious motivation behind the terrorist's attack. The Pentagon saw no jihad, spoke no jihad, heard no jihad, despite the ululating Major Hasan wailing allahu akbar as he mowed down 14 of our finest men and women.

The Pentagon review, titled “Protecting the Force: Lessons From Fort Hood,” was conducted by Togo D. West Jr., a former secretary of the Army, and Adm. Vernon E. Clark, a former chief of naval operations.

“The challenge for the Department of Defense is to prepare more effectively for a constantly changing environment,” the report said. “The department’s security posture for tomorrow must be more agile and adaptive.” (more here)

How does the military hope to address what it calls "workplace violence"? Workplace? The army is not the "workplace."

The Pentagon released its final report on the steps it will take to prevent internal attacks from happening again. 

"These initiatives will significantly improve the Department's ability to mitigate internal threats, ensure force protection, enable emergency response, and provide care for victims and families," Defense Secretary Robert Gates  Gates wrote. He highlighted the following areas for improvement:

- Addressing workplace violence;

- Ensuring commander and supervisor access to appropriate information in personnel records

- Improving sharing with partner agencies and among installations;

- Expanding installations' emergency response capabilities;

- Integrating force protection policy, and clarifying force protection roles and responsibilities and;

- Ensuring that we provide top quality health care to both our service members and our healthcare providers.

Worse still is the report that was issued here in this Atlas exclusive: In Case of Base Shooting, DOD Says Grab Three Ring Binder. It's bad enough that our  service members are not allowed to carry firearms on base. No, instead our precious servicemen and women are instructed to dial 911 while playing dead (p. 18), and to attack the shooter with a three-ring binder or paper cutter (p. 19). Think I am kidding? Read the report -- Download Military

"It is important to remember there is no "standard" for random shooting events and no profile of the shooters"

How could any rational thinking person stand behind such a statement? The Fort Hood shooting was jihad. Proud jihad. Unabashed jihad. Instead of reversing the ridiculous restriction on our military from carrying firearms on our bases, our servicemen and women are advised to make use of three ring binders ............. or any other "makeshift weapon."

 

So yes, Rep King has his work cut out for him:

Rep. Peter King to hold fourth round of hearings on Islamic "radicalization"

Rep. King’s fourth Muslim-American radicalization hearing to focus on military," by Jordy Yager for The Hill, December 4: (hat tip Jihadwatch)

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee is hoping his panel’s hearing on the radicalization of Muslim-Americans within the U.S. military will reveal how the armed services can better protect itself against homegrown attacks.

Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) is holding a joint hearing on Wednesday, along with Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), as the next stage in his series of efforts to address the radicalization of American Muslims.

Pointing to the 2009 shootings at the Fort Hood military base in Texas and at a military recruiting station in Arkansas, which killed a total of 14 people and wounded more than two dozen, King said the issue of radicalization within military communities is one that is grossly under the radar.

There is also Naser Abdo, the erstwhile "moderate" poster child.

“There is an attempt by Islamists to join the military and infiltrate the military, and it’s more of a threat than the average American is aware of right now,” said King in an interview with The Hill on Monday.

Lieberman said his committee has held 13 hearings over the past five years on the issue of violent Islamic extremism and, based on what he has learned, the military is an increasingly large target for attacks.

“Clearly, the threat of homegrown terrorism has increased dramatically, and clearly, members of the armed services are a high-value target,” Lieberman said in a statement.

The issue was brought to the front burner for King after it was raised by Paul Stockton, the assistant secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs. King said he feels the Obama administration is just as concerned with the issue as he is, and hopes to develop a working partnership to address some of the inadequacies that will come up at Wednesday’s hearing.

“I think more can be done,” he said. “But this is not going to be any attempt to bash the administration, necessarily. From my perspective it’s going to be a productive hearing and it’s not going to turn into a partisan fight.”

King gave several examples of issues that need more attention, such as whether the military needs to provide more security for recruiting centers and bases in the U.S. or whether local and state law enforcement should play a larger role in coordinating security with the military.

He said he also hopes to address the minutiae of radicalization on military bases. He used an example of how he has heard of at least one instance in which a copy of the radical Islamic magazine Inspire — which has been used as a recruiting tool for terrorist groups — was found in a barracks and allowed to remain. But Confederate flags are rightfully banned, he said.

“I’m using that as an example about whether or not we need to be more aggressive in facing up to the reality. It’s Islamic terrorism. It’s not just a nondescript, anonymous type of terrorism.”

Shariamerica: Cross Removed at Military base

There is a sickness of the soul, a moral illness that has infected our political elites, military brass and media quislings. America expends incalculable blood and treasure in Afghanistan to what end? To install the sharia? To facilitate the killing of apostates out of Islam or the oppression and subjugation of women?

That cross should be lit up like a Christmas tree -- this. is. just. so terrible. Fight back.

Cross removed at base in Afghanistan Politico

A before and after image of the ecumenical chapel

Some soldiers said they found great comfort in the visible cross. | Courtesy Close

A large cross that had been prominently displayed outside a chapel on an isolated military base in northern Afghanistan was taken down last week, prompting outrage from some American service members stationed there.

“We are here away from our families, and the chapel is the one place that feels like home,” a service member at Camp Marmal told POLITICO. “With the cross on the outside, it is a constant reminder for all of us that Jesus is here for us.”

“Not having it there is really upsetting,” added another. “I walk by the chapel daily on the way to chow and the gym, and seeing the cross is a daily reminder of my faith and what Jesus accomplished for me. It is daily inspiration and motivation for me to acknowledge my faith and stay on the right path.”

Camp Marmal is a German base that hosts NATO forces. The interfaith chapel in question is supervised by the U.S. Army.

The soldiers said they found great comfort in the chapel — and the cross visible outside. “Sometimes the Church and the ability to openly express religious views ultimately gets people through the deployments over here,” one told POLITICO by email.

The service member said he asked the base chaplain, a military officer, what had happened to the cross. “I had to take it down,” said the chaplain, according to the solider, without further explanation.

Pentagon spokesperson Commander William Speaks confirmed the cross was removed and told POLITICO, “The removal was, in fact, in accordance with Army regulations” and pointed out that the Army chaplain manual prohibits permanent display of religious symbols.

“Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses… will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel interior, exterior or grounds,” reads the manual

Read the rest.

Veterans Day: Thank a Soldier

Our freedom is written in the blood of these heroes, our soldiers.

Read this poem (hat tip Rut)

Thank you for your service, vets Kurt Schlichter, Washington Examiner (hat tip Katie O'Malley)

Arriving home from the Gulf War, I walked through the San Francisco airport in uniform waiting for somebody to mouth off and get a fistful of payback for all the "baby-killer" taunts the Vietnam vets who trained me had endured.

But I've never heard a single slur. And after 9/11, the response from my fellow citizens whenever I wear my uniform while on reserve duty has become overwhelming.

All of us privileged to wear the uniform have felt it. You get hugs from grandmotherly types. You walk into stores and people shake your hand, saying "Thank you for your service."

Little kids salute. You go to a restaurant and the waiter tells you someone has already taken care of the check. I recently stopped at a Starbucks and an older lady tried to buy my Frappucino. It happened again the next day.

But the feeling is not universal. As the wars wind down, a backlash is stirring. Sometimes, "Thanks for your service" is whispered between clenched teeth.

Sometimes, a politician's mask will slip long enough to reveal what he really thinks. Sometimes, a filthy occupier will break away from the drum circle just long enough to spit on a passing servicewoman.

And sometimes it's wrapped up in the kind of babble you see from sociology professors at second-tier colleges.

A New York Times columnist recently fretted about the "cult of the uniform," suggesting that it "bespeaks a wounded empire's need to reassert its masculinity in the wake of 9/11."

Actually, it bespeaks the need to hunt down the bastards who murdered 3,000 Americans.

Before 9/11, the respect showed the troops stemmed in part from guilt. Everyone understood the shameful treatment returning Vietnam vets received from snarling protesters, who were less "anti-war" than anti-American. Normal citizens vowed not to let these punks pull a repeat performance when our forces marched home victorious from Desert Storm.

Since 9/11, every service member has joined up or re-enlisted knowing that America is at war. The younger ones do not remember a time when we were not engaged in combat.

They aren't aware that once hating the military was fashionable. They just know that they have the support of all decent Americans.

But for all the thanks they receive from regular folks, our troops are still a bit bewildered, if not embarrassed, by the fuss. I know I am. After all, most of us are far from the medal-wearing heroes our president honors on the news.

The vast majority do not get shot at every day, but their sacrifice (and that of their families) is real. My daughter was less than six months old when I left last time and nearly two when I got home - she called me "Tio" because, after living three-quarters of her life with her mom at the American-Cuban in-laws' home, she thought the strange new guy with a bad haircut must be another one of her uncles.

We're not all war heroes, but we are proud of what we've done and proud to be among the small number of Americans able to wear the uniform.

So go ahead and thank a soldier, a sailor, an airman, a Marine or a Coast Guardsman. Shake their hands. If you feel so inclined, buy him or her a cup of coffee or a beer -- just reserve that favor for the young troops who do the real work.

But on this Veterans Day, let us thank you -- for your support, and for giving us the chance to serve.

Kurt Schlichter served in Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom (Kosovo). The views expressed here are his own.

US General Fired for Candor and Blasphemy Do Not Disparage Double-crossing Islamic Leader

The President of Afghanistan spits on the vast blood and treasure the US spent on security, training, schools, infrastructure for the Afghans. Afghanistan would side with Pakistan in war with US, says Hamid ... but a top US General comments on such betrayal and he gets fired. The Afghans and our avowed mortal enemy, the Taliban, get respect, money and arms.

No matter how much blood and treasure America expended for Afghanistan or how aggressively Pakistan wages war against Afghanistan, Islam trumps all.

America, wake up. I stand with Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller, deputy commander of the NATO training mission. if our military is being run by such spineless, gutless wonders, the weak and pathetic Gen John Allen did Fuller a favor. It sounds to me like this firing came from the Taliban toady in the White House.

US General Fired for Verbal Attack on Afghan Leader‎ Fox News

Pentagon - POLITICS A top U.S. general in Afghanistan was fired Friday for making disparaging remarks about Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his government.

Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller, deputy commander of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan, made the remarks in an interview with Politico that was published Thursday.

Fuller told Politico that major players in the Afghan government are "isolated from reality." Fuller reacted angrily to claims from Karzai that Afghanistan would side with Pakistan if it were to go to war with the United States.

Fuller called Karzai's statements "erratic," adding, "Why don't you just poke me in the eye with a needle! You've got to be kidding me … I'm sorry, we just gave you $11.6 billion and now you're telling me, 'I don't really care'?"

Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), released a statement Friday saying Fuller was to be relieved of his duties, "effective immediately."

"These unfortunate comments are neither indicative of our current solid relationship with the government of Afghanistan, its leadership, or our joint commitment to prevail here in Afghanistan", Allen said.

What a dhimmi stooge. I am ashamed of our military leader.

"The Afghan people are an honorable people, and comments such as these will not keep us from accomplishing our most critical and shared mission-bringing about a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan."

Pentagon officials who spoke to Fox News on the condition of anonymity agree that Fuller seemed to go off the rails in the Politico interview, admitting he showed extremely poor judgment. The fish line didn't help his cause:

"You can teach a man how to fish, or you can give them a fish," Fuller said. "We're giving them fish while they're learning, and they want more fish! [They say,] 'I like swordfish, how come you're giving me cod?' Guess what? Cod's on the menu today."

Fuller is not the only loose-lipped general to sink his own ship. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, once the commander of ISAF, was fired by President Obama himself after the Rolling Stone published disparaging remarks he and his staff made about members of the administration.

Read the rest.

U.S. Army Justifies Jihad, Indoctrinates Soldiers to be “Culturally Literate” About Islam

More of Obama's norming of sharia and jihad and whitewashing Islamic imperialism and supremacism. Imagine this dawah is being forced on our military, putting their lives on the line in defense of the jihad's war on the West. This is institutionalized treason.

U.S. Army Makes Soldiers “Culturally Literate” About Islam  Judicial Watch.org (hat tip Jack M)

In this new era of political correctness, the U.S. Army has published a special handbook for soldiers that appears to justify Islamic jihad by describing it as the “communal military defense of Islam and Muslims when they are threatened or under attack.”

Because radical Muslim groups consider Islam to be perpetually under moral, spiritual, economic, political and military attack by the “secular west” they consider military jihad a “constant necessity” and use it as a “rallying cry to resist and attack all this is un-Islamic,” according to the new Army manual.

The handbook was created to help soldiers become “culturally literate” ambassadors with sensitivity and understanding of Islamic civilization. The goal is to help them understand how vital culture is in accomplishing military missions. Military personnel who have a distorted picture of a host culture make enemies for the United States. At least that’s what the publication (“Culture Cards: Afghanistan & Islamic Culture”) says. An organization of scientists dedicated to national and international security issues discovered the new Army tool and published it on its website a few days ago.  

The manual has nearly three dozen informative chapters dedicated to subjects such as Muslim taboos, the five pillars if Islam, Jihad, the Quran and Muslim festivals. There are also sections on ethnocentrism, cultural relativism and social norms and mores. The lengthy introduction defines cultural competency—awareness and sensitivity of another group—and social norms and mores in Arab countries.

The portion on jihad is especially interesting because it’s described as a wide-ranging term that includes the everyday spiritual and moral struggle to live a life submitted to God, the attempt to spread Islam by education and example, and the communal military defense of Islam and Muslims when they are threatened or under attack. Today radical Muslim groups consider Islam to be perpetually under attack by the "secular West" – morally, spiritually, economically, politically and militarily, the Army handbook says. They thus consider military jihad as a constant necessity, and use jihad as a rallying cry to resist and attack all that is un-Islamic.

At the end of each section there is a question that’s supposed to stimulate “critical thinking.” At the end of the jihad section the question is: “How can the concept of jihad add legitimacy to the claims and aims of Al Qaeda and others? It would certainly be interesting to see how most enlisted men and women, or American civilians for that matter, would answer that particular question.

The new Army manual concludes by revealing all the things that make soldiers “culturally literate.” Among them are appreciating and accepting diverse beliefs, appearances and lifestyles, understanding the dangers of stereotyping and ethnocentrism and understanding Islamic and jihadist cultures.

 

No More 3,000!

Excellent work, readers! Your calls and letters protesting the reckless proposal to leave 3,000 soldiers in Iraq following the withdrawal of our main combat forces on December 31, 2011 made a difference.

Much thanks to Bev Perlson and the military moms and organizations that built an effective coalition to demand the safety of our soldiers.

US abandons plans to keep troops in Iraq next year AP

BAGHDAD (AP) -- The Associated Press has learned that the Obama administration is abandoning plans to keep U.S. troops in Iraq past a year-end withdrawal deadline.

A senior administration official in Washington confirmed Saturday that all American troops will leave except for about 160 troops attached to the U.S. Embassy. The Pentagon had considered leaving up to 5,000 troops to train security forces and hinder Iranian influence.

3000 Sitting Ducks

Please sign and send to all in your address book and your Representatives, here and Senators, here:
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The 3000 Troops: An open letter to President Obama

Dear_______________,

Against the advice of his Generals, President Obama is advancing a reckless proposal to leave 3000 Soldiers in Iraq, following the withdrawal of our main combat forces on December 31, 2011.     Those of us who support our troops are very concerned about the safety of our Soldiers under this proposal.  We have composed an open letter to the President to share those concerns, and to let our Soldiers know that we are standing with them! 

We are currently contacting any and all, large and small patriot blogs and organizations to ask if they will become signatories to the letter....... and that is why I am writing to you today.    This is a completely grassroots effort, and we are reaching out to all patriots to ask that they add their voice of concern and support for our Soldiers.

Below you will find a copy of the letter as well as the list of the current signatories.   The letter is being sponsored by two national troop support groups, the Band of Mothers and the Gathering of Eagles. 

We have also created a website dedicated to the letter.   Please visit the site to find out more information about the President's plan, and to see current media endorsements of the letter.   http://the3000.wordpress.com/ . 

We will be gathering signatories until the end of October, at which time we will send the letter out to the media. 

Please join us in this grassroots effort.   We cannot sit quietly by while the President ignores the advice of his Generals.   We must stand for our Soldiers, the same way that they have been standing for us all of these years in Iraq.

Any questions, contact  the site administrator at:    the3000troops@gmail.com  .

Yours,
The Band of Mothers
The Gathering of Eagles


______________________________________________________________________________________

The Letter and Current Signatories:


                                                                                                                                   September 27,2011

“The 3000″

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT  OBAMA

We, the undersigned, stand in stark and unified opposition to your proposed plan to leave 3000 combat troops behind in Iraq following the scheduled withdrawal of American troops from that country on December 31, 2011.

As we approach December 31, there are increasing debates about the exact nature of our withdrawal from Iraq.  A recent development in these debates is your proposal to leave 3000 combat troops behind in Iraq, following the withdrawal of the main combat forces. Of great concern are the reports that this proposal is in direct opposition to the advice of your own military commanders, who have warned you of the dangers of leaving such a reduced number of troops in Iraq.

It is our understanding that you have not yet presented your rationale for leaving those 3000 troops behind. However, on the face of it, your proposal appears to be reckless and disregarding of the safety of those brave American Soldiers who have already given so much for their country during this war.

It is our position that the withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq must, and should, be governed and executed with total consideration for the safety of our troops.  Further, we believe that, in the best interests of the safety of our troops, you should either pull ALL of the troops out, or you should follow the “level of troop strength” recommendations advised to you by your Generals on the ground.    

We are continuing to monitor this situation closely as we continue to pray for the safety of our Soldiers.

Sincerely,

 Sponsors of  the letter:

The Band of Mothers

Gathering of Eagles – National

Signatories to the letter:

American Defense League  (ADL)

American Freedom Defense Initiative

Any Street

Atlas Shrugs

Bloomington Tea Party

Chandler’s Watch

Cold Spring Conservative

Crystal Lake Tea Party

Eagles UP

English Defence League (EDL)

Free Republic

Hawaii Chapter-Gathering of Eagles

Logan's Warning

Stop Islamization of America

Streetsweeper Chronicles

Urban Infidel

Veterans in Defense of Liberty

Viper’s Vietnam Veterans Pages

West Suburban Patriots

What Bubba Knows

*note - more to be added

Happy 236th Birthday, Navy

Today is the US Navy's 236th Birthday. Find a Navy service member, Navy Vet, Navy Family (especially the children), and thank them for their service and sacrifices -- past, present, and future. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined.

The U.S. Navy also has the world's largest carrier fleet, with 11 in service, one under construction (two planned), and one in reserve. The service had 328,516 personnel on active duty and 101,689 in the Navy Reserve in January 2011. It operates 286 ships in active service and more than 3,700 aircraft. The Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which was established during the American Revolutionary War and was essentially disbanded as a separate entity shortly thereafter. The United States Constitution provided the legal basis for a military force by giving Congress the power "to provide and maintain a navy." (more here)

"Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat". Painting by Dennis Malone Carter.

Interestingly (though hardly surprising), it was relentless attacks by Muslim countries on US ships that was the catalyst to establish the US Navy:

In the Mediterranean, the corsairs of the Barbary states began to prey on U.S. merchant ships, no longer protected by the Royal Navy. Ships and cargoes were captured, and U.S. seamen were ransomed or sold into slavery. Although the number of ships and seamen actually lost were few, the psychological effect on Americans was marked. Among the possible responses that the United States debated were paying the Barbary states [jizya] to spare U.S. commerce from attacks and building a small navy to protect trade.

The debate over naval policy was both economic and philosophical. Many Americans, among them Thomas Jefferson, later minister to the French court from 1785 to 1789, favored a naval response. Jefferson wrote in the fall of 1784: "We ought to begin a naval power, if we mean to carry on our commerce. Can we begin it on a more honorable occasion, or with a weaker foe?" (more here.)

The US Navy fought the first foreign war against the jihad in North Africa (the first and second Barbary wars).

Depredations against U.S. shipping by Barbary Coast pirates in the Mediterranean Sea spurred Congress to employ this power by passing the Naval Act of 1794 ordering the construction and manning of six frigates.^[6] These ships were used to end most pirate activity off the Barbary Coast. In the 20th century American blue-water navy capability was demonstrated by the 1907–1909 world tour of the Great White Fleet.

NORFOLK (Oct. 12, 2011) Cmdr. Drew Ehlers, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), and Sailors assigned to Cole salute after the presentation of a wreath at the USS Cole Memorial during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. The Norfolk-based ship was damaged by a suicide bombing Oct. 12, 2000 while refueling in the Port of Aden in Yemen, killing 17 and wounding 39 Sailors. Cole returned to the fleet in 2002 and has deployed four times since the attack. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Elizabeth Williams/Released)

Lest we forget -- 11 years ago on Ocotber 12, 2000:

From Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Seventeen Sailors killed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) when it was attacked by terrorists in the Yemeni port of Aden 11 years ago on this date were honored in a ceremony Oct. 12, 2011.

The ceremony was held on board Naval Station Norfolk at the Cole Memorial site along the shores of the Elizabeth River. Present and former Cole crew members, family and friends were invited to reflect and memorialize their shipmates and loved ones during the ceremony which included a wreath-laying and reading the names of those who sacrificed their lives. Each individual's name was read, followed by a bell-ringing and a moment of silence.

"Today USS Cole is not a museum; she is not a memorial. She is a living, breathing, fighting warship, and she is so because those Sailors refused to give up the ship," said Cmdr. Drew Ehlers, Cole's current commanding officer. "Over the last year and a half it has been my great honor to command the USS Cole, and I am humbled in the knowledge that I share a history with those 'hero Sailors' of October, 2000."

Surviving members of that Cole crew have become a tight-knit group with family members of the Cole "hero Sailors." They convene each year to console one another.

"It hurts so bad that I lost my son, and there is a lot of pain and tears in that, but I have to come to represent him," commented Dianne McDaniels whose son Seaman James R. McDaniels lost his life in the attack. "It makes me feel good to come to this ceremony because there are others who know what I'm going through."

"The fellowship is good, but it is a sad time for family, friends and shipmates," added Master Chief Sonar Technician (SW) Paul Abney, who was trapped in the chiefs mess at the time of the attack.

"They are all in our hearts and close to us. We will also remember our heroes: the Marines, the HMS Marlborough, the USS Donald Cook, the shipyard workers, and all those who came over and helped us after the attack. They're all our heroes."

At the Cole Memorial site, 17 low-level markers stand for the youthfulness of the Sailors, whose lives were cut short. Three tall, granite monoliths, each bearing brass plaques, stand for the three colors of the American flag. A set of brown markers encircling the memorial symbolize the darkness and despair that overcame the ship. In addition, 28 black pine trees were planted to represent the 17 Sailors and the 11 children they left behind.

The memorial was funded by contributions from thousands of private individuals and businesses to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which gifted the memorial to the Navy. Its design originated as a vision of USS Cole crew members, who then teamed with Navy architects and the Society to finalize the project.

Some gave all, some still are, NEVER forget!

Overwhelming

Tea Party Fort Lauderdale and AnyStreet.org invited me to Florida to speak yesterday. Johana Von Hohenzollern, Danita Kilcullen  and Jack Gillies organized the events. The house was packed, sold out. Joining me were spectacular Americans, my dear delicious friends Joyce Kaufman (who introduced me), Katie O'Malley, Bev Perlson (Band of Mothers) ....and other conservative luminaries, including Javier Manjarres (Shark Tank), Doug Giles, Bamboo Bob, Mike McAllister (who is running for the Florida Senate against Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson), Ginger Eisenrod, Broward county coordinator for AnyStreet, Jean Morris, outreach staff for AnyStreet, Victoria Jackson, and so many wonderful vets ....

I will have more on the event, but I am traveling and in-depth coverage is impossible. But this I must share with Atlas readers, because it belongs to you as much as it does with me.

Before I addressed the crowd, I was shocked and overcome when the United States Marine Corps presented me with the flag flown on September 11th over Camp Leatherneck, "amid the battlefields of Afghanistan during decisive operations against enemy forces in Helmand Province." Can you imagine such an honor? But there's more. When a soldier at Camp Leatherneck heard that I was to be given the flag, he asked that the MP armband (seen here) that he wore before he lost his arm in combat be sent along with the flag. I was presented with both. Overwhelming. 

I cannot describe to you my shock, my awe. I hardly know what to say -- these items are sacred. Our freedom is written in the blood of these heroes, but they honor me with these treasures. I do not deserve such precious gifts. But I heard that a prominent Senator had requested this 911 flag, and the heroes at Camp Leatherneck said "No, we are giving it to Pamela Geller." Let me tell you, that was delicious.

I will never forget that day as long as I live. Never.

These men, these men to whom we owe our lives, thank you, may G-d bless you and watch over you.

Gold Star Mother's Day

G-d bless these moms. Say a prayer for them.

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.

A gold star represents a son or daughter who died while serving the United States Armed Forces. ©iStockphoto.com/ bobbieo

What do people do?

Each year the United States president is requested to issue a proclamation to: call on US government officials to display the nation’s flag on all government buildings; and to call on people to display the flag and hold appropriate meetings at homes, churches, or other suitable places on Gold Star Mother’s Day to publicly express the love, sorrow, and reverence those who are Gold Star mothers and their families.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served and died while serving their nation in times of war or conflict. It organizes major events that take place on or around Gold Star Mother’s Day each year. Previous activities included a Gold Star flower wreath laying service, as well as an afternoon tour of President Lincoln’s cottage in Washington DC.

The last Sunday in September is also Parents of Fallen Military Sons and Daughters Day in New Jersey. This day is a tribute to all parents whose children died as a result of their service with the United States Armed Forces. It commemorates the contributions, commitments and sacrifices made by those parents individually and through the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Public life

Gold Star Mother’s Day is not a designated public holiday in the United States so public life is not affected.

Background

The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each family member serving in their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black arm bands bearing a gilt star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from the US Congress. It began with 25 mothers living in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day, a holiday that has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.

Symbols

A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.  It may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers. The pin is not limited to mothers and it is awarded by the US Department of Defense.

UPDATE: OT but related: Beverly Perlson of Band of Mothers reminds us to please vote here for wounded warriors,  They have fallen to 14th place and they have just one more week to go. 

Don't Be Afraid

Don't be cowed into submission by the stealth jihadists, leftwing shills and Islamic apologists to be afraid to say who and what we are fighting. This US hero, Marine amputee Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez, isn't afraid to go on fighting for you and me, our families, our country. Multiple-tour combat veteran back in action. So, don't be afraid to speak. Our finest Americans are fighting and dying for our way of life, for freedom. Do not fail them by remaining silent on the homefront. We are fighting jihad. Say it. And teach your children well.

Marine Amputee Returns to Work Strategy Page

Posted 9/12/2011 Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez, a combat replacement for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, wades through an irrigation canal to move into a night observation post in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 5. In February of 2006, Ramirez was wounded in action while serving in Iraq with 3rd Bn., 5th Marines and two years later became the first hand-amputee to re-enlist in the Marines Corps. Since then the multiple-tour combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan has served as an urban warfare instructor, attended the pre-sniper course at division schools and stayed close to his infantry roots. Photo by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly (hat tip Carl)

Buried in Tripoli, Libya, U.S. Sailors Killed in the Islam's First War on the US May Finally be Coming Home

Thirteen U.S. sailors who died in 1804 during the first Islamic war against America, the First Barbary War, and who were buried in Tripoli, Libya, may come home. Would that not be fitting on the tenth anniversary of 911, the latest Islamic war on America?

John McCain is opposed to returning our war dead to Arlington. First he is shilling for terror TV, Al Jazzeera, to come to America, now this. The man is suffering from his POW experiences.

American Legion Sees Chance To Bring Home Remains Of Sailors Buried In Libya 200 Years Ago Amanda Terkel, The Puffington Ho (hat tip Johana)

WASHINGTON -- Thirteen U.S. sailors who died in 1804 during the First Barbary War and were buried in Tripoli, Libya, may finally be coming home, if the American Legion gets its way.

Since the uprising in Libya broke out six months ago, the veterans organization has been lobbying Congress to bring home the remains of the U.S. servicemen. The crew, led by Master Commandant Richard Somers and Lt. Henry Wadsworth (uncle of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), died when their explosives-packed ship blew up prematurely during a mission to Tripoli.

"It's the best chance we've had in a long time," said Tim Tetz, legislative director for the American Legion. "We've got a change of politics in Libya. We've got family members who have stood up and said, 'We want to have our family members brought home.' We've got the will and might of America to say, 'Let's respect those who fought our wars for us, and that includes all wars.'"

As Politico's Dave Levinthal reports, the American Legion is one of 11 groups that have "formally lobbied the federal government on pet causes that, in one fashion or another, concern Libya." Oil companies, the American Civil Liberties Union and United to End Genocide have all been taking their concerns to the federal government.

The American Legion, with the backing of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), was able to secure an amendment to a House bill directing the Defense Secretary to "exhume and transfer the remains of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces buried in Tripoli, Libya."

The Senate, however, has not followed suit. According to Tetz, one stumbling block may be Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served in the U.S. Navy.

"He has expressed some concern that he doesn't want to see it pass, which is disconcerting to us, and we've tried to influence him where and when we can. So far, to no avail," said Tetz.

McCain did not return a request for comment.

The U.S. Navy also is opposed to the American Legion's request.

In 2008, Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, told Rep. Rogers, "Navy custom and tradition has been to honor the final resting place of those lost in downed ships and aircraft. The Navy considers the Tripoli cemetery to be the final resting place of these sailors who sacrificed their lives for our nation."

Navy spokeswoman Lt. Alana Garas confirmed to The Huffington Post that Roughead's statement remains the position of the service.

But Marty Callaghan, spokesman for the American Legion, said the current resting place of the Barbary War sailors is inadequate.

"They are buried in a hostile land," he said. "Some of them are buried right underneath the place called Green Square where Gaddafi's government often holds protest rallies and things of that nature. The other bodies are buried in a Protestant cemetery that is not kept up and is basically in shambles, more or less. So this is not the way to treat those who serve America."

He added that there are places reserved in Arlington National Cemetery if the sailors' bodies are returned to the United States.

Extraordinary Courage on the Jihad Battlefield

It's not enough to mourn the daily death toll of our fallen warriors in Obama's folly -- the war with the vicious, bloodthirsty, nameless enemy.

In our continuing salute to America's finest and bravest, here is but one soldier's extraordinary act of courage in defense of freedom.

Fight to the Finish By Cpl. Reece Lodder

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – Removed from an ambushed platoon of Marines and soldiers in a remote Afghan village on Sept. 8, 2009, his reality viciously shaken by an onslaught of enemy fighters, Cpl. Dakota Meyer simply reacted as he knew best — tackling what he called “extraordinary circumstances” by “doing the right thing … whatever it takes.”

Nearly two years later, the White House announced Aug. 12, 2011, the 23-year-old Marine scout sniper from Columbia, Ky., who has since left the Marine Corps, will become the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in 38 years. Retired Sgt. Maj. Allan Kellogg, Jr. received the medal in 1973 for gallantry in Vietnam.

Meyer is the second Marine to receive the medal for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Cpl. Jason Dunham was awarded the medal posthumously for covering a grenade with his body to save two Marines in Iraq in 2004. President Barack Obama will present the award to Meyer at the White House, Sept. 15.

“The award honors the men who gave their lives that day, and the men who were in that fight,” Meyer said. “I didn’t do anything more than any other Marine would. I was put in an extraordinary circumstance, and I just did my job.”

Though bleeding from shrapnel wounds in his right arm, Meyer, aided by fellow Marines and Army advisors from Embedded Training Team 2-8, braved a vicious hail of enemy machine-gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the village of Ganjgal to help rescue and evacuate more than 15 wounded Afghan soldiers, and recover the bodies of four fallen fighters — 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Gunnery Sgts. Aaron Kenefick and Edwin Johnson Jr., and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class James Layton.

ETT advisor Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Oct. 7, 2009, from wounds sustained in the firefight.

Meyer charged through the battle zone five times to recover the dead Marines and injured Afghan soldiers, risking his life even when a medical evacuation helicopter wouldn’t land because of the blazing gunfire.

“There’s not a day — not a second that goes by where I don’t think about what happened that day,” Meyer said. “I didn’t just lose four Marines that day; I lost four brothers.”

Author Bing West, a retired Marine infantry officer and combat veteran of Vietnam, detailed Meyer’s actions in the battle in “The Wrong War,” and praised Meyer for taking command of the battle as a corporal — the most junior advisor in this firefight.

West said Meyer should have been killed, but he dominated the battlefield by fearlessly exposing himself to danger and pumping rifle and machine gun rounds into the enemy fighters.

“When you leave the perimeter, you don’t know what’s going to happen, regardless of what war you’re fighting in,” Kellogg, who lives in Kailua, Hawaii, said. “Once you get to a point where you make the decision — ‘I’m probably going to die, so let the party begin’ — once you say in your mind you aren’t getting out of there, you fight harder and harder.”

Beginning his career with the same regiment from which Kellogg retired in 1990, Meyer deployed with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2007, and earned a meritorious promotion to corporal in late 2008 after returning from the deployment.

Before leaving for Iraq, Meyer completed the Marine Corps’ 10-week Scout Sniper Basic Course, and committed to preparing himself and his snipers for combat. They attended lifesaving classes taught by Navy corpsmen and honed their skills with myriad weapons systems, such as light machine guns. Meyer also spent time in his battalion’s communications section learning how to call for mortar and artillery fire.

“

I devoted my whole life to making the best snipers in the Marine Corps,” Meyer said. “They’re a direct reflection of your leadership. If you fail them in training, it could get them killed on the battlefield.”

In February 2009, Meyer volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan’s dangerous Kunar province and mentor Afghan soldiers as part of an embedded training team, the type of role usually filled by U.S. Special Forces.

“A Marine who seeks the challenge of joining his unit’s scout sniper platoon has to have a lot of drive and determination,” said Col. Nathan Nastase, commanding officer of 3rd Marine Regiment and formerly Meyer’s battalion commander at 3/3. “Being assigned to the ETT was a huge vote of confidence in his abilities.”

The latest on Lt. Michael Behenna: Denied fair trial

The latest development, a terrible twist, in an already gross miscarriage of justice. I have blogged periodically on the outrageous persecution of Lt. Michael Behenna. I thought he would at least get a fair trial with the new evidence. This wonderful soldier killed a known terrorist, a bloody savage in the war against the West by jihad. We should be giving Behenna a parade down Fifth Avenue. The criminalization of our heroes is the liberal wet dream and the goal of the enemy, Islamic supremacists. Indeed, they make common cause of their hate of the good. This cannot stand.

This will make your blood boil. Savage Nation has this: (hat tip Phil)

Doctor Savage:
 
After waiting two years for the Army to rule on Michael’s appeal, we learned last week that they denied his appeal and his right to a fair trial.  As you know we asked the Army to grant Michael a new trial so that the jury would have the benefit of hearing all the evidence, specifically evidence from the government’s own forensic expert that Michael’s version of the shooting was consistent with the forensic evidence. Not only did they deny that request, but in their opinion, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals stated that a jury could have found that Michael had no right to defend himself against a known member of al-Qa’ida who was reaching for his weapon.  I have attached an excerpt from our recent email notification regarding the appellate decision:
“Back in March of 2009 the sting of Michael’ conviction was eased somewhat by the knowledge that critical evidence was not heard at trial which made us hopeful for a successful appeal.  During the trial, from beginning to end, the military argued Michael executed the al-Qa’ida cell leader Ali Mansur while he was seated on a rock.  But in their appeal brief the military changed gears and argued that it didn’t matter how Mansur was killed because Michael lost his right to self-defense the moment he pointed his weapon at Mansur.
 
From our experience in the civilian appellate process we felt confident that a review of what had occurred during the trial would uncover the egregious errors committed by the Prosecution and the Trial Judge, including the Brady law violation involving non-disclosure of the PROSECUTION expert witness’s opinion that the forensic evidence supported Michael’s testimony of self-defense as the ‘only logical explanation’ of what occurred in that Iraqi culvert.
 
However, the twisted logic of the Appeals Court not only agreed with the trial judge, but even introduced language in their ruling that was never even part of the original trial.  The substance of this appellate opinion was void of any indication that the facts and issues were really evaluated to a logical legal conclusion. The following quotes used in the appellate opinion are indicative of what the appellate court used as a basis for their decision and should strike fear in every soldier and Marine serving in a combat zone:
Commenting on Michael pointing his weapon at Mansur (a known al-Qa’ida member who both Michael and Army intelligence believed was involved in the blowing up of Michael’s convoy); “If, confronted by this demonstration of DEADLY FORCE, Ali Mansur, under these circumstances, attempts to turn the very same Glock pistol towards appellant, his assailant, there can be no escalation sufficient legally to excuse Ali Mansur’s killing.”   By this logic every time a soldier points his gun at anyone, whether at a checkpoint or entering a village, they have assaulted those people by virtue of pointing their gun at them and if someone gets shot then they should be brought up on charges of murder.  No consideration is even given that this is a war zone.
 
When confronted with Mansur standing and reaching for Michael’s weapon; “There is no evidence that Ali Mansur made contact with the appellant’s weapon. At that point, the appellant (Michael), in full battle armor, with much of his platoon standing nearby, ready to defend  him, did not keep moving to the left away from the victim into the vast expanse of desert, did not shout for assistance, but instead shot the victim two times.”  So if a police officer in America has his gun pointed at a known killer and that killer suddenly lunges for his gun the police officer’s only option is to turn and run while yelling for backup?  Seriously, who comes up with this nonsense!  Unfortunately, the entire Appellate opinion was full of this kind of logic.”
 
To say that we are disappointed is an understatement.  But we will not give up the fight. It is our hope that Congress will hold hearings on the Army’s Catch and Release policy and the current ROE’s that limit our soldiers and Marines ability to defend themselves sometime this fall.  We also have a clemency hearing in December.  I have come to believe that the only way the Army will release Michael from prison is for the American public to demand it.  In that regard I am once again asking for your help.  The Savage Nation has been so supportive of Michael, helping us with his legal expenses, and writing letters of encouragement to him.  Now I need their voice.  I need the voice of the American public to demand his release.
 
Michael is an exceptional young man and would never have been involved in the criminal justice system but for his attempt to interrogate Mansur.  Michael’s character and professionalism has shown through even through this difficult time.  When he was pending charges of premeditated murder he was never placed in pre-trial confinement. He continued to work in Iraq and when he redeployed with the 101st Airborne Division in November 2008, he lived off post in Clarksville, reporting to work every day at Ft. Campbell.  One of his assignments during that time was to work on President Bush’s security detail when President Bush visited the 101st Airborne Division just before Thanksgiving of 2008.  Even after he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years and while his motion for a new trial was pending before the trial Judge, Michael remained free living off post, reporting to work every day.  For the past two and a half years Michael has lived in the difficult conditions at the US Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth and the true strength of his character has emerged.  He has continued to educate himself by reading hundreds of books on history, philosophy, religion and current events.  He is also teaching himself Spanish.  Michael is not a threat to anyone and taxpayers in this country should be upset that we are spending tax dollars to keep someone like Michael in prison.
 
Dr. Savage I am again asking for your help.  Help me rally the American public to demand Michael’s release.  If it can work for the border patrol agents it can work for Michael.
God Bless and Thank you, Vicki

Helping the Children Left Behind After the Afghan Attack on our Soldiers

I, too, had the great pleasure to hear Col. John T. Carney speak at the David Horowitz Center’s Restoration Weekend. Much thanks to J. Christian Adams, my co-recipient in receiving the Annie Taylor Award that weekend, for posting this. Please support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation:

Helping the Children Left Behind After the Afghan Tragedy J. Christian Adams

I had the honor of watching a presentation by Col. John T. Carney at David Horowitz’s Restoration Weekend in 2010.  Carney’s Special Operations Warrior Foundation plays a central role in the lives of children who lose a parent serving in the special operations forces, like the many Navy Seals killed over the weekend in Afghanistan.  Col. Carney’s organization ensures that every single child of a killed special ops warrior can go to college.  That’s right, every single child.  Better yet, the foundation gets actively involved in the lives of children who lost a parent before they are in college.  With the tragic events this weekend, the task falling on the SOWF is acute.  Since 1980, 744 special operation forces have died.  163 children of these warriors graduated from the SOWF program and gone to college. If you have time today, watch the video linked above of Col. Carney and his mission.

Questions the Media Won't Ask, But Americans Must

The Associated Press has learned that more than 20 Navy SEALs from the unit that killed Osama bin Laden were among those lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

Back in May, Defense Secretary Gates said that releasing information about the OBL raid threatened the safety of Navy SEALs and their families, making them targets for terrorists.

Why did the Obama administration leak and name this Seal Team? Was it payback?

Who is taking revenge? The ISI? The Taliban claimed that they downed the helicopter with rocket fire while it was taking part in a raid on a house where insurgents were gathered in the province of Wardak late Friday. Who tipped them off? And who supplied the Taliban with state-of-the-art surface-to-air armaments?

These are the questions that must be asked and answered by the Obama administration. But do not expect the press, whose job it is to do, to do it. They are an activist propaganda machine actively working against the American people. The enemy's number one arsenal on its war on America.

The loss of those extraordinary warriors cannot be described. The pain and suffering is beyond mere words. Weep for the loss for the families and for our great and noble country.

There should be a national day of mourning declared in their honor, to remind all Americans of the devastating toll taken by the war declared on the West by Islamic jihad.

The Post American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America

US Troops in Mideast Commanded to Abide by Sharia law during Ramadan

More outrageous surrender demanded of our brave troops by the complicit elite in the Obama administration. Respect for the sharia? Respect for the dehumanization and diminishment of women? Respect for honor killings? Islamic antisemitism? Ethnic cleansing? Gender apartheid? Hatred of non-Muslims? Homicide bombings? Jihad?

Respect for sharia? WTH are our troops doing over there if respect for the sharia is US foreign policy?

US troops in Mideast told to abide by sharia law during Ramadan July 28, 2011 by creeping

Didn’t critics of anti-sharia laws, including Muslims, swear that sharia law only applies to Muslims? Religion of intolerance. If it ain’t halal, they don’t tolerate it. via Troops in Mideast given guidance on Ramadan – Middle East – Stripes.

As Muslims prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan with fasting and prayer, U.S. troops across the Middle East are being reminded to respect the customs of the societies around them. Among the guidelines: Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during the daily fast, and dress appropriately: no shorts or short skirts.

During Ramadan, which this year begins Aug. 1, Muslims refrain from eating or drinking between sunup and sundown.

Among guidance issued to U.S. military deployed in Muslim majority countries, the Bahrain-based command of U.S. Navy 5th Fleet posted guidance for sailors and their family members to heed during Ramadan when off base.

U.S. personnel are not expected to fast during Ramadan, but community members must refrain from eating, chewing gum, drinking water, smoking or chewing tobacco in public during daylight hours, according to 5th Fleet. “‘In public’ includes riding in a bus or car (even your own), walking or exercising,” according to the 5th Fleet’s Facebook page. “Eating, drinking or smoking by a non-Muslim in public during the day is considered a civil offence by many local laws, which may result in a fine or confinement.”

Alcohol consumption by U.S. military personnel in any off-base venue is prohibited during the holiday, with the exception of USO/MWR facilities, private off-base dwellings, or hotel rooms occupied by troops who are transferring or on a business trip.

Shorts are prohibited while off base during Ramadan as well, according to 5th Fleet, and women are required to wear pants or skirts long enough to cover their knees when seated.

Fifth Fleet spokesman Lt. Frederick Martin said this week that the command sends out Ramadan guidance annually.

“When in public, both in Bahrain and elsewhere in the 5th Fleet area of operations, Ramadan brings increased cultural and legal restrictions, which we, as guests in these countries, are expected to adhere to,” Martin said in an email.

In Kuwait and Qatar, U.S. 3rd Army provides training to troops, and also instructs them not to eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco while off-base, spokesman Capt. James Sweeney said in an email.

“They are also warned that these actions are punishable under local law,” he said.

In Iraq, personnel are encouraged not to eat, drink or smoke in the presence of Muslims during the daytime hours, according to U.S. Forces-Iraq spokesman 1st Lt. Joseph Larrew.

“Also, any troops conducting meetings with Iraqis are encouraged to do so earlier in the day to be considerate to their needs,” he said in an email.

While NATO troops in the field across Afghanistan are not restricted from eating, drinking or smoking outside the wire, they are made aware of the holiday, according to Air Force Maj. Deb Balentine, a spokesman for the coalition’s International Security Assistance Force.

Troops are encouraged to be sensitive to the importance of fasting and not to eat or drink in front of Afghan citizens, she said.

They are also told to be aware of the limits fasting may put on Afghan police or soldiers’ abilities to conduct operations or train, she said.

A Defense Department press release Tuesday said Afghan soldiers and Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Helmand province were planning to distribute more than 1,200 bags of wheat grain to the local population.

“The Ramadan holiday is part of the daily life of every Afghan person,” 1st Lt. Paul Mooney, the assistant civil affairs team leader for 1/3, said in the release. “Showing we respect the holiday will help the perception of Marines to positively change.”

When in the Middle East, abide by sharia. When elsewhere, demand sharia in everything you do.

Obama Administration Damages Military Voting Rights

There is something terribly wrong in America when our soldiers' voting rights are systematically destroyed under this administration.

These men and women are putting their lives on the line every day and dying in record numbers under Obama's crippling rules of engagement. And how does Obama thank them? By making sure their vote doesn't count. This is no accident.

J. Christian Adams was the heroic election lawyer who served in the Voting Rights Section at the U.S. Department of Justice. He blew the lid off the Black Panther case of voter intimidation that Holder refused to prosecute.

The sabotage of the military vote is a high crime. I previously reported on Lema Bashir, the Palestinian stealth jihadist at Obama's Department of Justice. Lema Bashir was at the center of Virginia's failing to mail military ballots in time in 2008. The same mistakes were made again in 2010, and United States military voters were heavily disenfranchised because of in-actions by Bashir and DOJ throughout that year.

Disenfranchising the military vote is policy. You could make a case that bad mistakes were made in 2008, but that when those same mistakes are made and made worse in 2010 by a devout Muslim who calls Israel "northern Palestine," I submit that it is no accident but deliberate policy.

Obama's bumblers damage military voting rights By: J. Christian Adams | Washington Examiner | 07/13/11

Members of the armed services can visit a Pizza Hut on base in Iraq, but the Pentagon has failed to comply with a 2009 law requiring voter registration offices on every military installation.
A new report on military voting shows declining participation rates in the 2010 election despite an attempted congressional fix. Obama administration incompetence implementing the law is to blame.

Because service members have voted at historically low rates, Congress passed the MOVE Act in 2009. MOVE was supposed to cure impediments to voting by mandating absentee ballots mail overseas at least 45 days before election day. MOVE also required every military installation to have a voter registration office.

Sadly, a new report shows the problem has only grown worse, no thanks to a lackadaisical Justice Department and a Pentagon with misplaced priorities.

The report by the Military Voter Protection Project and Chapman University's AMVET's clinic concludes that participation rates by uniformed service members actually declined in the 2010 election, despite the MOVE Act.

Data collected by congressional mandate reveal that only 4.6 percent of eligible military voters cast an absentee ballot that counted. In 2006, it was 5.5 percent. These numbers came despite the MOVE mandate of a voter registration office on every military installation before the November 2010 election.

Yet Defense Department political appointees waited until three weeks after the 2010 election to issue the order to establish the offices. Now six months before the start of presidential primaries, a quarter of military installations remain noncompliant with the legal obligation to have functioning voter registration offices.

Contrast the Pentagon slow-walk on military voting with the blitz to integrate gays into the armed services. No resource limitation interfered with forcing every member of the armed services to sit through hours of sensitivity training.

Perhaps too busy acclimating warriors to the new gay policy, the Pentagon bureaucracy continues to resist voter registration offices, particularly for Marine installations.

Helping service members vote isn't a priority of the Obama administration, especially before 2012. Even the Pentagon unit tasked with helping service members to vote (FVAP) is targeted for a 30 percent budget slash.

Tomorrow, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., will hold a hearing to determine what went wrong at DOD in 2010. The inept enforcement efforts at Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department also merit scrutiny.

Helping felons restore their right to vote is a priority at the DOJ Civil Rights Division. Unfortunately, the infamous division also enforces the MOVE Act. It took DOJ an embarrassing nine months after MOVE passed to update its webpage with the new standards.

Until July 2010, DOJ actually publicized the weaker protections of the pre-MOVE law. The responsible bureaucrat allowed a memo seeking approval for website changes to gather dust for months.

At DOJ, encouraging felons to vote is more important than helping a Marine understand her new rights. DOJ ineptitude didn't end with a stale webpage. In February 2010, the same unhurried official told a convention of state election officials that litigation to enforce MOVE wasn't a priority of the Justice Department.

Read the rest.

Retired Navy Adm. James A. Lyons: Disarmed by Shariah

Retired Navy Adm. James A. Lyons was commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and senior U.S. military representative to the United Nations. If only men like him were still in charge.

LYONS: Disarmed by Shariah Washington Times (hat tip Ken)

Political correctness prevents Army from recognizing sedition

Today, the mind-numbing disease of political correctness has so infected the American military leadership that it is a threat in itself. The political correctness mentality was the principal reason why Fort Hood’s alleged murderer, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was not cashiered out of the Army after a shocking June 2007 PowerPoint presentation he gave as part of his psychiatric residency program. In that presentation, he reportedly warned his Army colleagues and supervisor at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center of “adverse events” that would occur if the Army did not accept the precepts of Islamic Shariah law and grant Muslims serving in the Army conscientious objector status.

He went on to describe what he meant by adverse events, citing previous cases of Muslims murdering their fellow soldiers, spying against the United States, deserting their units and refusing to deploy. None of his fellow doctors or his supervisor reported his remarks, most likely out of fear of being labeled a bigot or racist, which in today’s military could end one’s career.

Now it seems the Army has embraced Maj. Hasan’s position in an incredible decision made last month by the secretary of the Army to grant conscientious objector status to Pfc. Naser Abdo. He is a 21-year-old soldier, a member of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., who refused to deploy to Afghanistan, claiming that Shariah law prevented him from killing other Muslims.

The fact that Shariah law is totally incompatible with the U.S. Constitution and has no legal basis in the United States was somehow overlooked in the Army’s decision process. Shariah is a totalitarian legal-military-political system that is designed to control every aspect of an individual’s life and is antithetical to our concept of freedom and democracy. By its dictates, Shariah is seditious.

By acceding to the dictates of Shariah, the Army has tacitly endorsed an absurd position that in effect sanctions Muslim service members to kill non-Muslims but forbids them to kill Muslims. Further, it is an unbelievable basis on which to classify them as conscientious objectors.

When Pfc. Abdo enlisted, he stated he initially believed that he could be a soldier and a Muslim at the same time. What changed his vision? He stated that his understanding of Islam “changed” as he went through training ahead of a planned deployment to Afghanistan. He worried whether going to war was the right thing to do.

This would indicate that someone in the Army training process for an overseas deployment in the 2009-10 time frame was indoctrinating Pfc. Abdo and other Muslim soldiers. Could it have been one of the Muslim chaplains personally selected by Abdurahman Alamoudi, who currently is serving a 23-year sentence in a federal prison? He was convicted of terrorism-related charges and was proved to be a senior al Qaeda financier as well as a strong supporter of the terrorists groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

As a result of his close connections in the Clinton White House, Alamoudi had the lead role in establishing the Muslim chaplain program. He nominated and approved which Muslim chaplains could serve in the U.S. military. The chaplains have never been vetted. This, together with a review of how Muslim military personnel currently are being indoctrinated, needs to be examined on an expedited basis.

Who helped the Army come to this inconceivable position on classifying Pfc. Abdo as a conscientious objector? My guess would be the Army received “guidance” from its Muslim “outreach partners,” who it believes are operating in America’s best interest. This would be classic stealth jihad at its finest.

By granting conscientious objector status to Pfc. Abdo, the Army is tacitly accepting a key tenet of the Islamic doctrine of jihad, as embraced by al Qaeda and other terrorists groups, which states that any incursion by non-Muslims into the Islamic lands makes it the duty for all Muslims to fight the “occupiers.” This view is shared by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has challenged American efforts in Afghanistan as “unwelcome outsiders,” in effect, occupiers.

The U.S. military is the finest in the world. It represents the best of America. We have many Muslims serving honorably in the U.S. military and their service should not be tainted by Pfc. Abdo’s conscientious objector designation. His discharge from the Army is currently on hold because he has been charged with possession of child pornography. That should not be surprising: Shariah sanctions marriage of girls 9 years old and younger, in effect, legalized pedophilia.

Band of Mothers: "What is Good Enough For The Terrorists Should Be Good Enough For Our Sons!"

I just got this emergency action alert from the magnificent Bev Perlson of the Band of Mothers, who bseeched us,

"Please read my email below, sent to all military liaisons of the House Armed Services Committee (except for a few who either did not answer their phones Friday and one that would not give me the email of the military liaison) 
 
My email explains the outrage all Americans should feel.  Bottom line, this administration is releasing terrorists taken off the battlefield yet our Sons continue to sit in Leavenworth!  This is flat out wrong!
 
I'm asking everyone to PLEASE copy and paste these email addresses and TOMORROW MORNING please send your email of outrage.  If you send today you will get alot of "auto out of office replies" so please send your email tomorrow morning.  Frankly, I hope we crash some computers tomorrow morning, that should get their attention.
 
Please do this for our Soldiers, do this for their mothers and families.  It is an outrage that the mothers of terrorists see their Sons released, just like that, while our mothers and their families accrue enormous legal fees and expenses trying to get their Soldiers home!!!! These Soldiers stepped up to the plate to defend us and protect us, they need your help now and the only thing that is going to help them is pressure from ALL OF YOU!    

Start writing, calling, emailing, NOW.

Here are the email addys, copy and paste: morley.greene@mail.house.gov, bud.otis@mail.house.gov, mark.morehouse@mail.house.gov, raymond.celeste@mail.house.gov, justin.johnson@mail.house.gov, kevin.kirsch@mail.house.gov, brian.eisele@mail.house.gov, don.bergin@mail.house.gov, alex.cross@mail.house.gov, whitney.verett@mail.house.gov, drew.nishiyama@mail.house.gov, melissa.cox.bosse@mail.house.gov, michael.thornberry@mail.house.gov, leslie.bolz@mail.house.gov, kevin.bosse@mail.house.gov, jimmy.thomas@mail.house.gov, ben.schultz@mail.house.gov, john.schippert@mail.house.gov, drew.shoemaker@mail.house.gov, george.o'connor@mail.house.gov, john.thomas@mail.house.gov, dennis.bartow@mail.house.gov, dan.burgess@mail.house.gov, james.langenderfer@mail.house.gov, jen.barnes@mail.house.gov, jennifer.shirley@mail.house.gov, jim.dolbow@mail.house.gov, peter.comstock@mail.house.gov, patrick.large@mail.house.gov, josh.grodin@mail.house.gov, jennifer.warren@mail.house.gov, stephen.davis@mail.house.gov, tim.welter@mail.house.gov, brian.garrett@mail.house.gov, julie.merberg@mail.house.gov, blair.milligan@mail.house.gov, brandon.smith@mail.house.gov, nathaniel.bell@mail.house.gov, rekha.chandra@mail.house.gov, davis.hake@mail.house.gov, pablo.duran@mail.house.gov, john.krisciunas@mail.house.gov, raquel.gladieux@mail.house.gov, neil.mckiernan@mail.house.gov, meagan.linn@mail.house.gov, nathan.bell@mail.house.gov, nora.bisharat@mail.house.gov, kenton.barber@mail.house.gov, jon.boughtin@mail.house.gov, chris.austin@mail.house.gov, ron.white@mail.house.gov, lauren.gring@mail.house.gov, jonathan.ossoff@mail.house.gov, morgan.jones@mail.house.gov, christopher.raymond@mail.house.gov

To The Members of the House Armed Services Committee:
 
The New York Times printed an article in May of last year entitled "US Tries to Reintegrate Taliban Soldiers."
Now, in testimony given to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Vice Admiral McRaven testifies that this administration is letting terrorists go:

Obama’s terrorist ‘catch and release’ policy  Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post, July 6, 2011

This morning The Post reports that a Somali terrorist named Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame was held and interrogated on a Navy ship for more than two months before being flown to New York to stand trial.  The Post reports this morning that he “is the first foreign terrorism suspect captured by the administration outside the United States and moved to this country for trial.” This news comes a week after Vice Adm. William McRaven told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Obama administration has no clear plan for handling captured terrorist leaders if they are caught alive outside the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. McRaven testified that that “in many cases” suspects captured in secret are taken to a U.S. Navy ship until they can be tried in a U.S. court or transferred to the custody of an allied country, but if neither option is feasible, he said, the terrorist is let go. “If we can’t do either one of those, then we will release that individual,” McRaven told the committee.

Which leaves the obvious question: If Warsame is the first suspect to be transferred to the United States for trial, what happened to the others?

The United States’ top special operations commander told Congress that because the United States has no place to hold captured terrorists we have simply been letting them go.  In his testimony, Adm. McRaven used the phrase “in many cases,” which seems to indicate that not only has this happened, but it has happened in numerous instances. Well, exactly how many al-Qaeda terrorists have been taken into U.S. custody on Navy ships and released by the Obama administration? Who are these terrorists? Where were they captured? Who decided to release them? Where were they released? And what has become of them since?

Until now, it was believed that the administration was not capturing senior terrorists alive outside the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, but simply killing them. Last year, The Post reported that there had been no known high-value detentions by the United States since Obama took office. Now, it appears, we have indeed been capturing such terrorists — and setting them free. If so, this is an outrage. With Adm. McRaven’s testimony, and today’s news, the administration owes the American people — and the United States Congress — some answers, and fast.

By Marc A. Thiessen  |  11:09 AM ET, 07/06/201

As the mother of a Son who served 4 deployments in this war on terror, I am outraged that we continue to hold our own Sons in Leavenworth while this administration just lets terrorists go?! This is flat out wrong!  We punish our Sons yet make deals with terrorists to sign and Pledge and then we return them to their village elder?!!!  The village elder in the American family are the MOTHERS of these Sons and they are crying themselves to sleep at night because the country their Son voluntarily stepped up to the plate to defend punishes them and rewards the terrorists by letting them go!  Two days after lst Lt Michael Behenna was charged in the death of a known Al Qaeda terrorist, a capture and kill order was issued on the same terrorist!!!  It is absurd what is going on here!
 
I respectfully ask that we give the Leavenworth Warriors the same Pledge given to the terrorists and release them to their mothers, retroactive May of last year!  What is good enough for the terrorists should be good enough for our Sons.  The Mothers of these Soldiers expect the same forgiveness shown to their Sons as we show the terrorists!  Anything less is a slap in their face and a slap in the face of every mother whose Son or Daughter is serving! The time has come to do the right thing and release these Soldiers!

Fallen Heroes Identified, RIP

The death count of our soldiers continues to rise in unprecedented numbers in the 21st century. To what end? What's the strategy? Where is the queen of the pig people, Cindy Sheehan?

Here are today's latest fallen warriors:

SGT Glenn M. Sewell, 23, of Live Oak, TX, died June 13 in Wasit province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

SSG Nicholas P. Bellard, 26, of El Paso, TX, died June 13 in Wasit province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

UPDATE: And yet another:

SSG Jeremy A. Katzenberger, 26, of Weatherby Lake, MO, died June 14 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA.

This month.

6-13-2011

US

Sewell, Glenn M.

Sergeant

23

Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack

Wasit

Wasit

U.S. Army

Texas

Live Oak

6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

Fort Hood, TX

6-13-2011

US

Bellard, Nicholas P.

Staff Sergeant

26

Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack

Wasit

Wasit

U.S. Army

Texas

El Paso

6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

Fort Hood, TX

6-08-2011

US

England, Matthew J.

Private 1st Class

22

Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack

Najaf

Najaf

U.S. Army

Missouri

Gainesville

3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

Fort Hood, TX

6-06-2011

US

Campo Jr., Emilio J.

Specialist

20

Hostile - hostile fire - Rocket fire

Baghdad

Baghdad (southeastern part)

U.S. Army

Minnesota

Madelia

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Fort Riley, KS

6-06-2011

US

Fishbeck, Christopher B.

Specialist

24

Hostile - hostile fire - Rocket fire

Baghdad

Baghdad (southeastern part)

U.S. Army

California

Victorville

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Fort Riley, KS

6-06-2011

US

Hartwick, Robert P.

Specialist

20

Hostile - hostile fire - Rocket fire

Baghdad

Baghdad (southeastern part)

U.S. Army

Ohio

Rockbridge

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Fort Riley, KS

6-06-2011

US

Olivieri, Michael C.

Private 1st Class

26

Hostile - hostile fire - Rocket fire

Baghdad

Baghdad (southeastern part)

U.S. Army

Illinois

Chicago

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Fort Riley, KS

6-06-2011

US

Cook Jr., Michael B.

Specialist

27

Hostile - hostile fire - Rocket fire

Baghdad

Baghdad (southeastern part)

U.S. Army

Ohio

Middletown

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Divi

 

To date:

Coalition Military Fatalities By Year

Year	US	UK	Other	Total
2001	12	0	0	12
2002	49	3	18	70
2003	48	0	10	58
2004	52	1	7	60
2005	99	1	31	131
2006	98	39	54	191
2007	117	42	73	232
2008	155	51	89	295
2009	317	108	96	521
2010	499	103	109	711
2011	173	23	47	243
Total	1619	371	534	2524

Show Troop Love!

Please join me for these two fantab events. You can make a difference online and in person.

Please join me on June 12th in South Florida for this extraordinary event. I will be there to discuss and view the groundbreaking film, The Ground Zero Mosque, Second Wave of the 911 Attacks. It's for the best of causes, our soldiers. Let's raise some real dough for the them. Huge props to Johana Von Hohenzollern, Outreach Coordinator of AnyStreet.org and amazing American patriot, for making this happen:

PRIVATE VIEWING OF PAMELA GELLER’S NEW DOCUMENTARY “THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE: SECOND WAVE OF THE 911 ATTACKS” WITH PAMELA GELLER, TO BENEFIT CRCC (CONCUSSION RESTORATION CARE CENTER) AT CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

What is the CRCC: CRCC is a treatment unit for service members who experience a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, there is hope for a fast recovery and return to their unit. Our help will help the clinic give care for concussed Marines while in Afghanistan. The clinic offers concussion care, sports and family medicine, mental health care, physical and occupational therapy, and acupuncture. Over the last eight months, CRCC has maintained a 97.7 percent return to battle rate, proving their concept to be effective. This an excerpt from the field, from Lt Commander Kathleen Ditto, aka “Katie Bug”’s email: “Yesterday was a
slow day compared to the rest of this week for me. I only had 9 patients.They all have complaints of ringing of the ears, headaches, troubles sleeping, irritability, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, motion sensitivity, depressive symptoms, loss of appetite etc. Those are the guys who didn't witness their buddy's arms and legs get blown off (sorry to be graphic, but it is happening weekly). Most of those guys, who were on foot when an IED went off ( leading to more significant injury) typically (and understandibly) have even more issue with anxiety, night terrors etc.”

They’ve been there for us, ready for the ultimate sacrifice, just to make sure we’re all safe. It is now OUR turn to do something for them. So we’re holding the private viewing of Ms. Geller’s documentary and she will be in attendance, since she’s been an ongoing troop supporter. Please join us for this wonderful benefit. You can get more info at http://www.florida4troops.org/.

WHEN: JUNE 12TH, 2011... doors will open promptly at 3:00PM WHERE: Worldwide Christian Center Church , 450 North Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069-2262 (MAPQUEST IT!)

Tickets prices are as follow: $25 regular admission , $50 special pricing (admission + autographed DVD), $100 donation (admission + autographed DVD + picture with Pamela Geller)

Buy your tickets here (http://www.florida4troops.org/TICKETS.html) via PayPal, using MasterCard, VISA, Discover or Amex or mail checks made to: SOUTHWEST BROWARD REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION to address: 16336 NW 11th Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

HOT SPOTS: Where you can buy your tickets here, drop off donations (monetary or items) at the spots listed below: SOUTHEAST REALTY: 7092 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433 HARRIS KLEIN: 16336 NW 11th Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

SOUTH FLORIDA BIBLE COLLEGE, ATTN MARY DRABIK: 1100 S Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33221 FORT LAUDERDALE TEA PARTY (SATURDAYS ONLY 1PM-3PM): NE CORNER OF OAKLAND PARK BLVD & FEDERAL HIGHWAY, TARGET SHOPPING PLAZA

For more info, email info@Florida4Troops.org or call (561) 706-2586 or (954) 678-8291. To donate items for the Silent Auction, contact Ana Gomez-Mallada at (954) 254-1625 or email her at AGM656@bellsouth.net.

If you aren't in Florida or can't make it, please donate to this critical cause.

It's time for Troopathon 2011: The Anti-Jihadists are supporting our troops -- and you can join!

Move America Forward has compiled care packages that contain goods our troops need and cannot get -- as a way of saying "thank you" for their sacrifices and courage.

You can show your gratitude by sending one to the troops. Each care package will include a personal message written by you where you can express your gratitude to our military.

Move America Forward is a 501(C)3 so all care package donations are tax deductible.

Contribute here

Once again I am captaining a team of contributors: "The Anti-Jihadists"! If you're a blogger, please join our team! Let's take the big prize for largest contribution amount this year! Joining the competition is easy. Simply e-mail MAF Blogger Danny (danny@moveamericaforward.org) to get placed on a team and obtain the correct link to the care packages.

Right now the team consists of:

Jihad Watch
Atlas Shrugs
Creeping Sharia
Cao's Blog
D. C. Watson
Facing Islam
Islam Today Oregon
Newstime.NZ
Patriot's Corner

War Dogs!

I love the idea of dogs going after jihadis -- dogs, love it. Great post over at FP: (hat tip Carl)

Dogs have been fighting alongside U.S. soldiers for more than 100 years, seeing combat in the Civil War and World War I. But their service was informal; only in 1942 were canines officially inducted into the U.S. Army. Today, they're a central part of U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan -- as of early 2010 the U.S. Army had 2,800 active-duty dogs deployed (the largest canine contingent in the world). And these numbers will continue to grow as these dogs become an ever-more-vital military asset.

---

War Dog II
The legend of the bin Laden hunter continues.

So it should come as no surprise that among the 79 commandos involved in Operation Neptune Spear that resulted in Osama bin Laden's killing, there was one dog -- the elite of the four-legged variety. And though the dog in question remains an enigma -- another mysterious detail of the still-unfolding narrative of that historic mission -- there should be little reason to speculate about why there was a dog involved: Man's best friend is a pretty fearsome warrior.

Above, a U.S. soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group and his dog leap off the ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during water training over the Gulf of Mexico as part of exercise Emerald Warrior on March 1.

Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez, U.S. Air Force/ DoD 

Daredevil dogs: The question of how the dog got into bin Laden's compound is no puzzle -- the same way the special ops team did, by being lowered from an MH-60s helicopter. In fact, U.S. Air Force dogs have been airborne for decades, though the earliest flying dogs accompanied Soviet forces in the 1930s.

Dogs usually jump in tandem with their trainers, but when properly outfitted with flotation vests they can make short jumps into water on their own. A U.S. Navy SEAL, Mike Forsythe, and his dog, Cara -- pictured above -- recently broke the world record for "highest man/dog parachute deployment" by jumping from 30,100 feet.

Courtesy K9 Storm Inc.

 

The scent of war: According to Mike Dowling, a former Marine Corps dog handler who served in Iraq, there's a simple explanation for why the Navy SEALs took a dog along on the Osama raid: "A dog's brain is dominated by olfactory senses." In fact, Dowling says, a dog can have up to 225 million olfactory receptors in their nose -- the part of their brain devoted to scent is 40 times greater than that of a human.

"When you're going on a mission," Dowling says, "a raid or a patrol, insurgents are sneaky -- they like to hide stuff from you. But a dog can smell them. .... [Think about] Saddam Hussein ... what if Osama had been [hiding] in a hole in the ground? A dog could find that. A dog could alert them to where he's hiding because of the incredible scent capabilities. ... You can only see what you can see. You can't see what you don't see. A dog can see it through his nose."

Above U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade wait for helicopter transport as part of Operation Khanjar at Camp Dwyer in Helmand Province in Afghanistan on July 2, 2009.

MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images

 

It's not the gear that makes the dog: Military working dogs (MWDs in Army parlance) may not enjoy all the privileges of being full-fledged soldiers, but the U.S. military no longer considers them mere equipment. (The war dogs deployed to Vietnam during that conflict were classified as "surplus equipment" and left behind.) Today, MWDs are outfitted with equipment of their own -- a range of specialized gear that includes Doggles (protective eye wear), body armor, life vests, gas masks, long-range GPS-equipped vests, and high-tech canine "flak jackets."

Photo Courtesy of K9 Storm Inc.

 

In August 2010, The Register, a British online tech publication, reported that "top-secret, super-elite U.S. Navy SEAL special forces are to deploy heavily armoured bulletproof dogs equipped with infrared nightsight cameras and an 'intruder communication system' able to penetrate concrete walls." The article also reported that the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group had "awarded an $86,000 contract to Canadian firm K9 Storm Inc. for the supply of 'Canine Tactical Assault Vests' for wear by SEAL dogs." The K9 catalogue boasts an array of high-tech canine devices, from storm lights to long lines and leads to an assortment of vests -- assault, aerial insertion, and patrol-SWAT -- which are rated from "excellent" to "good" in protecting the animal from harm due to everything from bullets to ice picks.

Photo Courtesy of K9 Storm Inc.

 

Lethal weapons: Not all military dogs are trained to kill. According to the U.S. Air Force, a dog only enters advanced training after a basic obedience program is successfully completed. The focus of this more intensive training is "controlled aggressiveness" in which the dog is "taught to find a suspect or hostile person in a building or open area; to attack, without command, someone who is attacking its handler; to cease an attack upon command at any point after an attack command has been given..." Make no mistake, these animals can be lethal weapons: "The average German Shepherd's bite exerts between 400 and 700 pounds of pressure," according to the U.S. Air Force.

Above, a U.S. Army soldier trains an attack dog at Camp Forward Operating Base Wilson in Zari district in southern Kandahar province on Oct. 21, 2010.

MASSOUD HOSSAINI/AFP/Getty Images

 

Fierce protectors: Military dogs and their handlers often form deep bonds -- it's an essential part of the canine-handler relationship that is specifically built into their training regimen. The personal attachments are often so intense that it can take weeks of training before a dog can begin working with a new handler.

Not only are these dogs fierce assault weapons, they are loyal guardians. When Private First Class Colton Rusk was shot after his unit came under Taliban sniper fire during a routine patrol in Afghanistan, Rusk's bomb-sniffing dog, Eli, crawled on top of his body, attacking anyone -- including Rusk's fellow Marines -- who tried to come near him. Rusk did not survive the assault, but Eli was granted early retirement so he could live with Rusk's family.

In the photo above, Staff Sgt. Erick Martinez, a military dog handler uses an over-the-shoulder carry to hold his dog, Argo II, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on March 4. The exercise helps build trust, loyalty, and teamwork.

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Allen Stokes

 

The nose knows: A canine's olfactory powers are well known -- dogs are now even being used to sniff out rare types of cancer -- and that natural ability hasn't gone unnoticed by the U.S. military. When President Barack Obama traveled to Asia last fall, an elite team of 30 bomb-sniffing dogs were part of his security entourage. (All in all, it was a pretty cushy assignment: The dogs stayed in 5-star hotels and rode in vehicles tailored to their comfort and safety.)

More remarkable still are vapor-wake dogs. Scientists at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine have genetically bred and specially trained canines to not only detect stationary bombs or bomb-making materials, but identify and alert their handler to the moving scent of explosive devices and materials left behind in the air, say, as a suicide bomber walked through a crowd -- all without ever tipping off the perpetrator. While not as expensive as some military-trained dogs, the cost of breeding and training these dogs cost is not cheap at around $20,000 each.

Above, U.S. sergeant Matthew Templet and his bomb-sniffing dog Basco search for the explosives in an abandoned house in Haji Ghaffar village during a clearance patrol in Zari district of Kandahar province on Dec. 27, 2010.

BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images

 

The best of the best: U.S. and allied forces have been fighting a losing battle against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan. In the first eight months of 2010 there were more roadside bombs in Afghanistan than in the same period in 2009.

In October 2010, the Pentagon announced that after six years and $19 billion spent in the attempt to build the ultimate bomb detector technology, dogs were still the most accurate sniffers around. The rate of detection with the Pentagon's fanciest equipment -- drones and aerial detectors -- was a 50 percent success rate, but when a dog was involved it rose 30 percent.

DMITRY KOSTYUKOV/AFP/Getty Images

 

A canine surge: Over the last two years, there has been an effort to rapidly increase the number IED detection dogs in Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, the Marine Corps has 170 bomb-sniffing dogs, but has plans to deploy as many as 600 dogs to their program before September 2012. In late 2010 the Marines have also awarded a contract to American K-9 Interdiction for "as much as $35 million" to train and kennel their dogs.

In February, Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos stated that he'd like to see "a dog with every patrol."

Above, U.S. Marines attached to 1st Battalion, 6th regiment, Charlie Company relax with their bomb-sniffing dogs Books and Good one in Huskers camp on the outskirts of Marjah in central Helmand on Jan. 25, 2010.

CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

 

For more war dogs -- from puppies to parachute jumps -- see the sequel: War Dog II.

THANK YOU, US TROOPS!

A huge and wholly inadequate thank you to the finest military in the world, our heroes who risked their lives to avenge the monster who declared war on this country and slaughtered thousands of Americans. Clearly, Osama bin Laden's fortress should have been bombed in March when that was presented to Obama, instead of risking the lives of our finest -- but despite this, our SEAL Team Six showed the world what American exceptionalism really means.

We are the champions, my friends.

Pamela Geller, Big Government: Killing Yesterday's Man

Please check out my OBL oped piece at Big Government. I think it very telling that Obama insists to us that it is not about Islam (!) and that bin Laden is "not a Muslim leader," but he ensured that bin Laden's body was handled in accord with Islamic tradition; further, we are warned of Islamic violence after bin Laden's death, and worst of all, Osama bin Laden lived like a king in a fortress-like mansion outside Islamabad in an army town. Video here.

Killing Yesterday's Man Pamela Geller, Big Government

Of course it’s great that Osama bin Laden is dead. It’s wonderful. People should be celebrating and dancing in the streets. Are Muslims dancing in the streets the way they were dancing when bin Laden took the Towers down? Crowds of cheering Americans gathered Sunday night outside the White House in Washington and at Ground Zero in New York, chanting “USA, USA.” Not a burka in the crowd. I think that’s very telling. But what is most significant about bin Laden’s death is what it reveals about Barack Obama and Pakistan.

When Obama spoke about the killing of bin Laden Sunday night, he was shameless. Every other word was “I.” I am really surprised that Obama didn’t insist that bin Laden be brought to Manhattan to stand trial. Seriously. Obama can puff himself up and shamelessly strut like peacock, claiming credit for the death of Osama bin Laden, but Gd bless our troops. Hats off to the US military that has been relentless, dogged and brave for ten years in their mission to kill that devout bastard.

In fact, it was intelligence gleaned from interrogating Gitmo detainees, specifically Khalid 
Sheik Muhammad, that led to capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden. These are the very techniques that Obama and Holder have stopped and fought to reverse. Obama railed against these interrogations and wanted to prosecute the CIA interrogators who led to this capture.

Obama’s chest pounding leads to some troubling conclusions. If he takes credit, that causes other problems. Remember: when Muslims were killing innocent people in Afghanistan because fringe pastor Terry Jones burned a Koran in Florida, Obama said that Jones should curtail his freedom of expression, implying that he would be responsible if Muslims killed anyone because he burned a Koran. But if we follow Obama’s line of thinking, if Muslims go jihad now and start killing people because of the death of bin Laden, who will be responsible for those deaths? Barack Hussein Obama.

How does he reconcile such crippled thinking? Preserving freedom of speech and freedom of expression is just as precious and essential in this war on our civilization as avenging those who died for those very things (our very way of life) in the jihadist attack on America on September 11, 2001.

Besides taking credit, Obama said: “We must also reaffirm that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims.”

Pure nonsense. Whether we like it or not, Osama bin Laden was a Muslim leader. Whether the Zuhdi Jassers of the world like it or not, Osama was a Muslim leader. Whether the violent Muslims of the world like it or not (and they do), he was a Muslim leader. Muslims in Indonesia were wearing Osama bin Laden t-shirts when we were over there helping them after the tsunami. He was a beloved figure to millions in the Muslim world because of his devotion and purity to the Islamic jihad.

And if he wasn’t a Muslim leader, why was he buried within twenty-four hours of his death “in keeping with Islamic tradition”? We washed and cleaned this monster? Outrageous. He should have been put behind a wall at the 911 Memorial and Museum, the very thing they are doing with the human remains of our loved ones who were killed there.

Also, the question must be raised: if Osama bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, but was instead a “mass murderer of Muslims,” why was the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan protecting him? And they were: Osama was not living in a cave. He was living in a mansion outside of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, and that’s where the American forces found and killed him. Osama was living in a splendid complex, a fortress that was built specifically for him near Islamabad. If that is so, then clearly the ISI, Pakistan’s spy service, knew where he was all along. He has apparently been there since 2005. He was there with his son and his youngest wife. So there is no way that the Pakistani government didn’t know that he was there.

Why now? Why did Pakistan allow this to happen after years of sheltering bin Laden? What did Barack Obama have to give up to the Pakistanis in order to make this campaign-bolstering deal for Osama bin Laden? Amid all the celebrations, there is something worrisome about the death of Osama bin Laden – and that is what we don’t know about it.

Read the whole thing. Leave your comments.

Afghanistan Observations

I thought Atlas readers would benefit from an "on the ground" take from a righteous Marine officer  stationed in south Afghanistan, with whom I correspond from time to time. Illuminating in many ways.

I emailed you some time ago my praise for your work. I do so again. Currently I am deployed with my Marine infantry battalion to Helmand, AFG. Daily I get to see what the country offers: subjugation of women, abuse of children, stagnation of minds, industry and hope… wasted lives. In a word: Islam.
 
I have had some poignant moments  over the last many months in Afghanistan. They have shaped my view of this place and Islam. The other day I was walking from a  compound to our vehicles with a group of elders, when off about 60 feet away I notice a woman of probably  20 or 25 walking towards us with her little daughter. She was in the full body black cloth coffin, moving like a wispy wraith.  Every movement was fear. When she got to about 20 paces away from us, she moved off the road, next to the canal, and squatted down, back towards us. Her little daughter did the same. Later I asked one of our interpreters why she did that and he said because she did not want to “bring dishonor.” I asked him rhetorically, “Do you realize how absolutely screwed up that is?” Of course he didn’t.

A few days later, we walked next to some compounds in an area the Marines had never been to before.  As we patrolled and secured, a group of little boys came out and watched us. In a nation with no literacy, Marines are a week’s worth of excitement and gossip. I had some candies in a bag so I passed some out as we talked with the kids about foreigners, Taliban, and peace. At that moment, 2 of the cutest little girls you have ever seen came out peeked out of the compound and immediately the little boys flew into a rage and chased them with sticks, throwing them  and hitting one girl square in the back. I immediately chastened the boys and told them that what they did was not wrong, it was evil. The boys shouted back that they were “just girls!”
 
Two days ago, one of the linguists I work with was sitting looking like a  man broken-hearted. I asked what was wrong and his friends, all full of vacant eyed smiles, said, “His fiancé killed herself!” as they all laughed except for the broken hearted one. I didn’t believe them at first because humans do not respond to tragedy in triumphant laughter. I again asked what the matter was and they again reiterated that his girl had killed herself. At this he looked up mournfully and nodded. Her parents tried to force her into a marriage with another man and she resisted. They forced, so she took poison. His friends went on to explain that it was OK because “she was just a girl and there are many others.” I stopped them as only an angry Marine can. I described to them in very insensitive language that they are all jacked up and their mood represents why their country is in the Stone Age, that this place has no heart and their souls are dead. I told them that they need to get through their heads that a woman’s life is just as important as a man’s and when a woman dies it is just as tragic as when a man dies. They looked  at me as though I was explaining to them a deep secret and two of them even started nodding. Maybe there is hope. I wished the linguist affected well and was done with them. 
 
I am growing increasingly upset with the culture of Islam here. I am growing increasingly vocal. In a meeting the other day as local elders were discussing ways to improve this place, I announced that the reality of the situation is that the men have screwed this place up so bad it’s time to arm the women with machine guns and give them a turn. A few laughed; I didn’t. Soon, no one laughed when they realized I was serious. What I have learned is that Islam is pain and human suffering. For the rest of my life I will fight it wherever it creeps. Even the Northern Afghanis who fight with us against the Taliban and their much more open minded (think New York Catholic) view of Islam (who say the only solution is to genocide the south and start over) lack an element of humanity, that righteous desire to “defend the defenseless.” I have attached an unclassified intelligence report that sheds some light on what Islam in it’s pure form does to civilizations.
 
I have seen the face of Islam and I do not care what Charles Johnson or Ibrahim Hooper say: social, economic, and religious systems must be judged by their fruits. The same standard by which I reject socialism, communism, and Nazism is what I use when I reject Islam. That standard is human happiness.
 
You are a righteous woman, Pamela,  and I love what you stand for and what you do. Fight that fight against the harbingers of death stateside while we bring the fight to the enemy here. The next time I am in New York I’ll drop you a line. We can go counter protest some Neanderthals, or whatever it is that nice Jewish girls do.

Stay safe, hero.

Hero's unwelcome: Wounded Iraq Vet Student jeered at Columbia

This is what our taxpayer dollars, taken from us at gunpoint, are used for. Funding the incubators for the bots who want to destroy this country. Push back. It's time.

From the Columbia web site for Lee Bollinger:

General Inquiries or To Contact the President
Phone: (212) 854-9970
Fax: (212) 854-9973
Email: officeofthepresident@columbia.edu

From the warrior mom Bev Perlson:

Folks, please call President Lee Bollinger at 212-854-9970 and demand the university denounce the vile behavior Army Sgt Anthony Maschek and Purple Heart Recipient received from students at this recent town hall meeting on Feb 20th!
 
If the school is closed tomorrow, please make the call on Tuesday.  Please fight for the respect Hero Maschek has certainly earned in his service and sacrifice to keep us all safe!  These bullies at Columbia would be the first ones to scream for a Soldier if we were attacked again!!!  Columbia University should denounce this disgraceful behavior by their bully students!
 
Thank You
Beverly Perlson
The Band of Mothers

Hero's unwelcome: Wounded Iraq vet jeered at ColumbiaBy ANNIE KARNI, NY Post

Columbia University students heckled a war hero during a town-hall meeting on whether ROTC should be allowed back on campus.

"Racist!" some students yelled at Anthony Maschek, a Columbia freshman and former Army staff sergeant awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008. Others hissed and booed the veteran.

Maschek, 28, had bravely stepped up to the mike Tuesday at the meeting to issue an impassioned challenge to fellow students on their perceptions of the military.

"It doesn't matter how you feel about the war. It doesn't matter how you feel about fighting," said Maschek. "There are bad men out there plotting to kill you."

Matthew McDermott

CLASH: Veteran Anthony Maschek (above, with fiancée Angela O'Neill) faced heckling from fellow Columbia students over ROTC (below).

J.C. RICE

Several students laughed and jeered the Idaho native, a 10th Mountain Division infantryman who spent two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington recovering from grievous wounds.

Maschek, who is studying economics, miraculously survived the insurgent attack in Kirkuk. In the hail of gunfire, he broke both legs and suffered wounds to his abdomen, arm and chest.

He enrolled last August at the Ivy League school, where an increasingly ugly battle is unfolding over the 42-year military ban there.

More than half of the students who spoke at the meeting -- the second of three hearings on the subject -- expressed opposition to ROTC's return. Many of the 200 students in the audience held anti-military placards with slogans such as, "1 in 3 female soldiers experiences sexual assault in the military."

The university has created a task force polling 10,000 students on the issue, but would not release the vote tally of the 1,300 who have already responded.

In 2005, when the university last voted to reject ROTC's return, it cited the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

That policy was overturned in December, but resistance remains.

"Transpeople are part of the Columbia community," said senior Sean Udell at the meeting, referring to the military's current ban on transgender soldiers.

Faculty members are divided.

"Universities should not be involved in military activities," Sociology Professor Emeritus Herbert Gans told The Post. "Columbia should come out against spending $300 billion a year on unnecessary wars."

A group of 34 faculty colleagues, including historian Kenneth Jackson and former Bloomberg adviser Esther Fuchs, plan to announce their support of ROTC tomorrow.

José Robledo, 30, a Columbia student who commutes to Fordham University for ROTC coursework, said he found the treatment of Maschek abhorrent.

"The anti-ROTC side has been disrespectful and loud. They hiss and they jeer," he said. "It's been to the detriment of the argument."

UPDATE: Thanks to Trey:

Office of the President
202 Low Library
535 West 116th Street, Mail Code 4309
New York, NY 10027

General Inquiries or To Contact the President
Phone: (212) 854-9970
Fax: (212) 854-9973
Email: officeofthepresident@columbia.edu

Speaking Requests (must be submitted in writing)
Susan Glancy, Chief of Staff
Email: skg56@columbia.edu

Media Inquiries
Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Phone: (212) 854-5573

US Military: Muslim Items IDPO

The line separating mosque and state becomes increasingly blurred.

Why does the government feel as if we have to buy Muslim garb, religious clothes, and Muslim books for children, if it's for our troops? Americans suffering over 10% unemployment, and this is where our looted hard-earned money is going? Who is this for?

This was just posted on December 8th -- soliciting bids from the private sector on what we, the taxpayers, buy for troops and various depts within the government. Shocking. Call your congressmen. Enough with this crippling stupidity.

MUSLIM ITEMS IPDO (hat tip Jack)

Muslim Items IDPO

Solicitation Number: SPM1C1-11-X-0016

Agency: Defense Logistics Agency
Office: DLA Acquisition Locations
Location: DLA Troop Support - Clothing & Textiles

Synopsis:

Added: Dec 08, 2010 9:37 am

Item Descriptions

CLIN 0001
NSN: 9925-01-464-9455
KUFI, MEN'S BLACK
HEAD COVER MADE FROM 100% COTTON STRETCH CROCHET APPROXIMATELY 18" AROUND. KUFI SHOULD BE WASHABLE AND COLORFAST. (Ref. 25827). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649455 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 06/11/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0002
NSN: 9925-01-464-9450
COMPASS, KIBLAH
PRAYER COMPASS THAT POINTS TO AL-KAABA. DIAMETER APPROXIMATELY 1-3/4" WITH A BLACK PLASTIC SHELL AND SNAP TOP. COMPASS INCLUDES AND INSTRUCTION BOOKLET FOR USE. (Ref. 25830). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649450 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/10/08 TYPE NUMBER I/A/W STD NR MIL-STD-129P(4) REFNO AMEND NR P TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0003
NSN: 9925-01-464-9465
DATES, DRIED
PACKAGE OF DRIED DATE PIECES, US GRADE C, 8 T0 12 OZ. (226.8 TO 340.2G) PACKAGE. (Ref. 25841). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649465 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 06/11/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0004
NSN: 9925-01-464-9258
DHIKR, PRAYER BEADS, BLACK
33 BEADED PLASTIC PRAYER BEADS ON NYLON/COTTON CORD. SIZE NOT TO EXCEED 14 INCHES. (Ref. 25838). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649258 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/10/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0005
NSN: 9925-01-464-9442
DHIKR PRAYER BEADS, WHITE
33 BEADED PLASTIC PRAYER BEADS ON NYLON/COTTON CORD. SIZE NOT TO EXCEED 14 INCHES. I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649442 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/12/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0006
NSN: 9925-01-565-3112
PRAYER RUG, MUSLIM, AIR FORCE
DIGITAL TIGER STRIPE.
PRAYER RUG WITH POUCH. FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 20X40 INCHES (+/- 1/8") MATERIAL 50% NYLON 50% COTTON, TYPE 1, CLASS 2 OF YACL-05-1: CLOTH,TWILL, AIR FORCE TIGER STRIPE PRINT, DRAWING NUMBER 05-AFCTO-194, DATED 10-AUGUST-04. GROUND SHADE AT TAN 1639, OTHER COLORS AF GRAY SHADE 1640, AF SAGE GREEN SHADE 1641, AF BLUE SHADE 1642. BACK SIDE OF PRAYER RUG IS TO BE A 50% NYLON 50% COTTON, TYPE 1, CLASS 2 OF YACL-05-1: CLOTH TWILL AIR FORCE DIGITAL TIGER STRIPE PRINT CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN, COLOR GROUND SHADE AT TAN 1639. POUCH FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 8.5" LONG TO 6.5" WIDE (+/-1/8"). MATERIAL 50% NYLON 50% COTTON TYPE 1, CLASS 2 OF YACL-05-1: CLOTH, TWILL, AIR FORCE DIGITAL TIGER STRIPE PRINT CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN MATERIAL. DRAWING NUMBER 05-AFCTO-194, DATED 10-AUGUST- 04. GROUND SHADE AF TAN 1639, OTHER COLORS AF GRAY SHADE 1640, AF SAGE GREEN SHADE 1641, AF BLUE SHADE 1642. I/A/W DRAWING NR 07779 015653112 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 06/09/10 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0007
NSN: 9925-01-464-9167
PRAYER RUG
PRAYER RUG WITH POUCH, UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE (ACU). MATERIAL MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MIL-DTL-44436A, CLASS 6; BACK SIDE OF PRAYER RUG IS TO BE A 50% COTTON - 50% POLYESTER BLEND, 3.0-4.0 OZ. PER SQ. YD., COLOR BLACK 357. PRAYER RUG FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 20 X 40 INCHES (+/- 1/8"); SEAM THREE SIDES OF THE RUG WITH A 3/8" SEAM ALLOWANCE, TURN AND TOPSTITCH ALL SIDES 1/4". FOR THE POUCH, CONSTRUCTION IS AS FOLLOWS:
A. OVEREDGE TOP AND BOTTOM
B. ON FACE SIDE OF CLOTH AT EACH END, STITCH A 5 1/2 X 5/8 INCH HOOK AND PILE TAPE 1/4 INCH FROM OVEREDGE STITCHING. STITCH ON ALL SIDES.
C. FOLD MATERIAL IN HALF MAKING EDGES EVEN AND
D. MAKE A 1 3/8 INCH HEM AT THE TOP WITH TWO ROWS OF STITCHES: THE TOP ROW 1/16 TO 1/8 INCH FROM THE FOLDED EDGE, THE SECOND ROW 1 INCH FROM THE FIRST ROW OF STITCHING. POUCH FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 8 1/2" LONG TO 6 1/2" WIDE (+/- 1/8").
MIL-DTL-44436 CLOTH, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN,
. WIND RESISTANT POPLIN,
. NYLON/COTTON BLEND, 19 APRIL 2005 STANDARD SAMPLE FOR UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE IS MIL-C-44436, ROLL # 3729, AND IS APPLICABLE FOR SHADE, APPEARANCE, COLORFASTNESS AND
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE.
SHADE:DESERT SAND SHADE:URBAN GRAY
SHADE:FOLIAGE GREEN SHADE
DECMC 500 DECMC 501 DECMC 502
DECMC
DL* 63.87 DL* 51.22 DL* 42.45
DL*
Da* 2.81 Da* -0.51 Da*
-1.82 Da*
Db* 11.61 Db* 6.41 Db*
3.49 Db*
DATE: FEB.2005 CERTIFIED BY MELANIE A. KING

CIELAB readings are provided as an informational tool only. The readings provided were taken using American Association Of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Evaluation Procedure 6 ,(D65 /10 degree) unless a smaller aperture is needed for digital prints. It is recommended that suppliers take a reading of the standard shade sample provided by DSCP with their own Spectrophotometer. Due to different equipment models, different equipment condition, software, and calibration of equipment, readings taken by the ESA may differ from contractor readings, these readings are only one piece of information and are provided for information purposes only. Matching CIELAB readings as provided may or may not produce an acceptable match to the shade standard provided by DSCP. The CIELAB readings will not be used for shade acceptance evaluation. All shade acceptance evaluation will be based on Government visual shade evaluations only.
12/17/08
STANDARD SAMPLE FOR CLASSES 3 & 4, DESERT CAMOUFLAGE PRINTED IS ROLL # 3630 AND IS APPLICABLE FOR SHADE, APPEARANCE, COLORFASTNESS AND SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE. CHANGES TO MIL-DTL-44436A THE MULTICAM??? CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN SHALL BE EVALUATED FOR COLOR AS FOLLOWS: ALL COLOR EVALUATIONS TO INCLUDE VISUAL, SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE, AND COLORFASTNESS SHALL BE PERFORMED ON THE SOLID COLOR AREA AND NOT THE TONAL AREA."THIS CHANGE APPLIES TO ALL PRINTED FABRICS WITH MULTICAM???.
PAGE 1
1.2 CLASSIFICATION. ADD: "CLASS 9 - BLUE 3362,
WRINKLE FREE FINISH"

PAGE 3
PARA.2.3 NON-GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. , UNDER
"AATCC-118" ADD
"AATCC-130 SOIL RELEASE:OILY STAIN RELEASE
METHOD".

PAGE 6
AFTER PARA. 3.4.1.3, ADD NEW PARA. "3.4.1.4
CLASS 9, BLUE 3362. THE CLOTH SHALL BE DYED TO
MATCH THE STANDARD SAMPLE FOR CG BLUE 3362".
PARA. 3.4.3 VISUAL SHADE MATCHING(ALL CLASSES),
LINE 2, AFTER "PRINTED CLOTH" ADD:"AND THE CG
BLUE CLOTH". TABLE I. COLORFASTENESS REQUIREMENTS(ALL CLASSES), UNDER"COLORSEVALUATION" COLUMN, LINE 6 ,AFTER "LT.TAN 492":ADD "LT. BROWN 493".ADD REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW CLASS 9 FABRIC AS FOLLOWS:
COLOR EVALUATION LAUNDERING LIGHT
PERSPIRATION CROCKING
BLUE 3362 4.0 4.5
4.5 3.5

PAGE 9
TABLE VI.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, UNDER"CHARACTERISTIC" COLUMN FOR "AIR PERMEABILITY"; DELETE "(3/min./ft.)", AND SUBSTITUTE "(cu.ft./min/sq.ft), (maximum)". ADD NEW COLUMN FOR CLASS 9 FABRIC AS FOLLOWS:
CHARACTERICS CLASS 9
WEIGHT
MIN 6.0
MAX 7.0
YARNS PER INCH
WARP 104
FILLING 52
BREAKING STRENGTH
WARP 200
FILLING 100
TEARING STRENGTH
WARP 7.0
FILLING 5.0
AIR PERMEABILITY 10.0
FABRIC APPEARANCE
INITIAL 5
AFTER 20 LAUNDERINGS 3.5

PAGE 10
PARA. 3.8 FINISH. LINE 3 AFTER "CLASS 8" ADD "AND 9" AND AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH ADD "THE CLASS 9 CLOTH SHALL BE GIVEN A SOIL RELEASE FINISH AS SPECIFIED IN 3.8.6.".
PARA. 3.8.3, LINE 1, AFTER "CLASS 8" ADD "AND 9" IN BOTH PLACES. AFTER PARA. 3.8.5, ADD NEW PARAGRAPH AS FOLLOWS: "3.8.6 SOIL RELEASE FINISH (CLASS 9). THE CLASS 9 CLOTH SHALL HAVE SOIL RELEASE CAPABILITY USING STAINSMART(tm) FINISHING PROCESS (OR EQUAL). THE FINISH SHALL PROVIDE THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY REMOVE MOTOR OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FINISH SHALL BE DURABLE TO MULTIPLE LAUNDERINGS WITH A MINIMUM STAIN REMOVAL GRADE RATING OF 3.5 AFTER 20 LAUNDERINGS WHEN TESTED AS SPECIFIED IN 4.4.3.".
PAGE 14
PARA. 4.4.3 TABLE VIII. END ITEM TESTS, ADD THE
FOLLOWING:
CHARACTERISTIC REQUIREMENT PARAGRAPH TEST METHOD
SOIL RELEASE (CLASS 9)
AFTER 20 LAUNDERINGS 3.8.6
AATCC - 130,
WASHING PROCEDURE V.

PAGE 15,PARAGRAPH 4.5.2:DELETE IN ITS ENTIRETY AND SUBSTITUTE THE FOLLOWING: "4.5.2 SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE TEST.SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE DATA SHALL BE OBTAINED FROM 600 TO 860 NANOMETERS (NM)FOR CLASSES 1,2,5,6,7 AND 8 AND 700 TO 860 NANOMETERS (NM)FOR CLASS 3 AND 4 AS 20 NM INTERVALS ON A SPECTROPHOTOMETER RELATIVE TO THE BARIUM SULFATE STANDARD, THE PREFERRED WHITE STANDARD. OTHER WHITE REFERENCE MATERIALS MAY BE USED PROVIDED THEY ARE CALIBRATED TO ABSOLUTE WHITE, E.G. MAGNESIUM OXIDE OR VITROLITE TILES. THE SPECTRAL BAND WIDTH SHALL BE LESS THAN 26 NM AT 860 NM. REFLECTANCE MEASUREMENTS SHALL BE MADE BY EITHER THE MONOCHROMATIC OR POLYCHROMATIC MODE OF OPERATION. WHEN THE POLYCHROMATIC MODE OF OPERATION IS USED, THE SPECTROPHOTOMETER SHALL OPERATE WITH THE SPECIMEN DIFFUSELY ILLUMINATED WITH THE FULL EMISSION OF A CONTINUOUS SOURCE THAT SIMULATES EITHER CIE SOURCE A OR CIE SOURCE D65.MEASUREMENTS SHALL BE TAKEN ON A MINIMUM OF TWO(2)DIFFERENT AREAS AND THE DATA AVERAGED.THE MEASURED AREAS SHOULD BE AT LEAST 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE SELVAGE.THE SPECIMEN SHALL BE MEASURED AS A SINGLE LAYER BACKED WITH LAYERS OF THE SAME FABRIC AND SHADE.FOR AN ANGLE NO GREATER THAN 10 DEGREES FROM NORMAL, WITH THE SPECULAR COMPONENT INCLUDED. MEASUREMENTS SHALL BE TAKEN ON A MINIMUM OF TWO DIFFERENT AREAS.SPECIMENS SHALL BE ORIENTED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS DURING TESTING. WHEN POSSIBLE,THE SPECIMENS TESTED SHALL NOT CONTAIN THE SAME WARP OR FILLING YARNS WHEN PRESENTED TO THE SAMPLE PORT.PHOTOMETRIC ACCURACY OF THE SPECTROPHOTOMETER SHALL BE WITHIN 1 PERCENT AND WAVELENGTH ACCURACY WITHIN 2 NM.THE DIAMETER FOR STANDARD APERTURE SIZE USED IN THE COLOR MEASUREMENT DEVICE SHALL BE 1.0 TO 1.25 INCHES FOR NM.THE DIAMETER FOR STANDARD APERTURE SIZE USED IN THE COLOR MEASUREMENT DEVICE SHALL BE 1.0 TO 1.25 INCHES FOR WOODLAND,DESERT CAMOUFLAGE AND BLACK 357, AND 0.3725 INCHES OR LARGER FOR THE UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE.ANY COLOR HAVING SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE VALUES FALLING OUTSIDE THE LIMITS AT FOUR OR MORE OF THE WAVELENGTHS SPECIFIED SHALL BE CONSIDERED A TEST FAILURE.
PAGE 20
PARA. 6.8 SUBJECT TERM (KEY WORD) LISTING. ADD
"BLUE 3362". I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649167 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 01/09/14 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0008
NSN: 9925-01-497-9933
BOOK, ISLAMIC AQIDAH AND FIQH
TEXTBOOK, PAPERBACK; NEW APPROACH TO TEACHING OF ISLAMIC STUDIES ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS; OFFERS AUTHENTIC INFORMATION ON ISLAMIC 'AQIDAH AND FIQH'; ENGLISH; 218 PAGES; PUBLISHER: IQRA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION; REVISED EDITION (1996); DIMENSIONS APPROX. 10 X 7.5 X .75 (INCHES; ISBN: 1563160617; AUTHOR: B. AISHA LEMU

CLIN 0009
NSN: 9925-01-464-9436
BOOK,40 HADITH QUDSI
BOOK, FORTY HADITH QUDSI ISBN 0933511213 BY EZZEDDIN IBRAHIM & DENYS JOHNSON-DAVIES. PUBLISHED BY KAZI PUBLICATIONS. PAPERBACK. DIMENSIONS (INCHES) 5.5X 8.5 (Ref. 25833) I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649436 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/06/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0010
NSN: 9925-01-464-9440
KUFI, MEN'S WHITE
HEAD COVER MADE FROM 100% COTTON STRETCH CROCHET APPROXIMATELY 18" AROUND. KUFI SHOULD BE WASHABLE AND COLORFAST. (Ref. 25828). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649440 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 06/11/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0011
NSN: 9925-01-497-9822
BOOK, ISLAM IN FOCUS.
BOOK, ISLAM IN FOCUS; GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE BASIC TEACHINGS OF ISLAM; ISBN:0-915957-74-4 (Ref. 28201). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014979822 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/24/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0012
NSN: 9925-01-464-9234
BOOK, DU'A
ENTITLED FORTIFICATION OF THE MUSLIM THROUGH REMEMBRANCE AND SUPPLICATION FROM THE QUR'AAN AND THE SUNNAH BY ISMAEL IBRAHEEM, PUBLISHED BY SAFIR PRESS, 1996. PAPERBACK. DIM 3.25 X 4.75. ISBN: 9960315711 (Ref. 25840). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 014649234 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/10/08 TYPE NUMBER

CLIN 0013
NSN: 9925-01-353-8791
BOOK, HOLY KORAN; SACRED BOOK OF THE MOSLEMS, RECORDING IN ARABIC THE REVELATIONS OF ALLAH TO MOHAMMED; AUTHOR: THE MOSLEMS; NATIONAL LANGUAGE: ENGLISH; EACH KORAN SHALL BE WRAPPED IN PLASTIC; ISBN 0-915957779 (Ref. 21517). I/A/W DRAWING NR 14153 013538791 BASIC AMEND NR DTD 11/10/08 TYPE NUMBER I/A/W STD NR MIL-STD-129P(4) REFNO AMEND NR P TYPE NUMBER

Contracting Office Address:

700 Robbins Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111-5096
United States

Place of Performance:

Various DVD Locations.

Locations will besited on each order

United States

Primary Point of Contact.:

Charles Brown ,

Acquisition Specialist/Contracting Officer

Charles.Brown3@dla.mil

Phone: 215-737-2450

Fax: 215-737-2486

Lt. Michael Behenna Hearing December 9th: Save a Hero, Save America

Michael Behenna's Appellate Court Argument will take place on December 9, 2010 at 10am before the Army Court of Appeals in Washington, DC. Details of Michael's appellate arguments here.

On Sunday, December 5th, a prayer service will be held for Michael:

Pray! Peace Lutheran in Edmond, Oklahoma will hold a prayer service for justice on Sunday, December 5th.  Please lift up Michael the Sunday before his Appellate Hearing and ask God that this injustice be overturned.

Please join in with your prayers for Michael on Sunday, December 5th. Please forward this info to your email and FB friends.

I posted on this last week and wanted to remind any and all Atlas patriots who are in the DC/Arlington, Virginia area to go to Behenna's hearing on December 9th. Go. Go. Go.

December 9th at 10 am, please stand with Michael at the courthouse for his hearing: 901 North Stuart Street, Ste 1200, Arlington, VA.

On March 20^th, 2009, Army Ranger 1^st Lieutenant Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing Ali Mansur, a known Al Qaeda operative while serving in Iraq. Mansur was known to be a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in the lieutenant’s area of operation and was suspected to have organized an attack on Lt. Behenna’s platoon in April 2008 which killed two U.S. soldiers and injured two more. Army intelligence ordered the release of Mansur and Lt. Behenna was ordered to return the terrorist to his home.

During the return of Mansur, Lt. Behenna again questioned the Al Qaeda member for information about other members of the terrorist cell, and financial supporters. During this interrogation, Mansur attacked Lt. Behenna, who killed the terrorist in self-defense. The government subsequently prosecuted Lt. Behenna for premeditated murder.

Not only is this a miscarriage of justice on the behalf of Lt. Behenna, who was acting to prevent further loss of life in his platoon, it is demoralizing to the U.S. troops who continue to fight on behalf of the freedom and security of our nation. Whether it is U.S. border patrol agents, members of the armed forces, or FBI agents, no individual who is serving on the frontlines in the War on Terror should be so blatantly mistreated.

We urgently need your help to correct this terrible wrong against a loyal and faithful soldier. Please contact your congressman and ask them to intervene on behalf of 1LT Behenna. Below is a brief recap of the relevant aspects of Lt. Behenna’s case.

Bev Perlson notified me of this hero's clemency hearing:

The hearing begins at 10am.
The public can attend this hearing.
 
I will be there in support of Mike and his family and I hope you will too.  Michael Behenna deserves our support!  Please bring family/friends with you.  I believe that we can make a difference for this Warrior and isn't this the least we can do for him?!  
 
I hope to see you there.  This Court needs to see a crowded courtroom.  We want them to understand we are watching what they are doing to our Heroes!
 
Thank You and please pass forward email.
 
Beverly Perlson
The Band of Mothers

And this from Defend Michael.com:

 
To the thousands of Michael Behenna supporters,
With great anticipation we approach Michael’s Clemency Hearing on December 2nd and then his Appellate Hearing on December 9th. The support Michael has received during the past year has grown far beyond what we could have imagined.  Michael and our family have survived on the strength drawn from each of you and the many prayers that have lifted us up during this long and painful search for justice for an American Hero.

We are constantly asked what can be done for Michael.  Here are three things that you can do to help our son:
1)      Pray!  Peace Lutheran in Edmond, Oklahoma will hold a prayer service for justice on Sunday, December 5th.  Please lift up Michael the Sunday before his Appellate Hearing and ask God that this injustice be overturned.
2)      Sign Michael’s petition.  We want to send 25,000 signatures to the Clemency Board by Thanksgiving.  To reach this goal we only need 4,000 more signatures.  Click on the following link to sign Michael’s petition:  www.petitiononline.com/MBehenna/petition.html
3)      Send Michael a letter or card.  The best part of Michael’s day is when the letters are delivered to his prison cell.  He thrives on those letters and your writing has become his eyes on the world. Please send him a short letter or card to let him know that he still has your support and that you appreciate his military service to our country.
It is hard to believe that it has been 18 months since the Army paraded Michael through three airports in handcuffs en route to prison.  Since those dark days we have waited patiently for the ‘justice’ system to address all the failures that we witnessed at Michael’s trial.  Finally the day has arrived when we will get a chance to argue why Michael’s conviction should be thrown out.  With your prayers and relentless support we will prevail and Michael will be free once more!

Bless each of you,
Scott & Vicki Behenna

Defend Michael Behenna: An American Hero's Tragic Miscarriage Of Justice

Behenna killed an al qaeda jihadist in self defense, and Behenna is going to jail. Saving Behenna saves America. This is our battle -- this is America under attack from the enemy within.

If you are in the DC/Virginia area on December 9th at 10 am, please stand with Michael at the courthouse for Michael Behenna's hearing: 901 North Stuart Street, Ste 1200, Arlington, VA.

On March 20^th, 2009, Army Ranger 1^st Lieutenant Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing Ali Mansur, a known Al Qaeda operative while serving in Iraq. Mansur was known to be a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in the lieutenant’s area of operation and was suspected to have organized an attack on Lt. Behenna’s platoon in April 2008 which killed two U.S. soldiers and injured two more. Army intelligence ordered the release of Mansur and Lt. Behenna was ordered to return the terrorist to his home.

During the return of Mansur, Lt. Behenna again questioned the Al Qaeda member for information about other members of the terrorist cell, and financial supporters. During this interrogation, Mansur attacked Lt. Behenna, who killed the terrorist in self-defense. The government subsequently prosecuted Lt. Behenna for premeditated murder.

Not only is this a miscarriage of justice on the behalf of Lt. Behenna, who was acting to prevent further loss of life in his platoon, it is demoralizing to the U.S. troops who continue to fight on behalf of the freedom and security of our nation. Whether it is U.S. border patrol agents, members of the armed forces, or FBI agents, no individual who is serving on the frontlines in the War on Terror should be so blatantly mistreated.

We urgently need your help to correct this terrible wrong against a loyal and faithful soldier. Please contact your congressman and ask them to intervene on behalf of 1LT Behenna. Below is a brief recap of the relevant aspects of Lt. Behenna’s case.

Bev Perlson notified me of this hero's clemency hearing:

Again: If you are in the DC/Virginia area on December 9th, please join us at the Courthouse for Michael Behenna's hearing:  901 North Stuart Street, Ste 1200, Arlington, VA.

The hearing begins at 10am.
The public can attend this hearing.
 
I will be there in support of Mike and his family and I hope you will too.  Michael Behenna deserves our support!  Please bring family/friends with you.  I believe that we can make a difference for this Warrior and isn't this the least we can do for him?!  
 
I hope to see you there.  This Court needs to see a crowded courtroom.  We want them to understand we are watching what they are doing to our Heroes!
 
Thank You and please pass forward email.
 
Beverly Perlson
The Band of Mothers

And this from Defend Michael.com

 
To the thousands of Michael Behenna supporters,
With great anticipation we approach Michael’s Clemency Hearing on December 2nd and then his Appellate Hearing on December 9th. The support Michael has received during the past year has grown far beyond what we could have imagined.  Michael and our family have survived on the strength drawn from each of you and the many prayers that have lifted us up during this long and painful search for justice for an American Hero.

We are constantly asked what can be done for Michael.  Here are three things that you can do to help our son:
1)      Pray!  Peace Lutheran in Edmond, Oklahoma will hold a prayer service for justice on Sunday, December 5th.  Please lift up Michael the Sunday before his Appellate Hearing and ask God that this injustice be overturned.
2)      Sign Michael’s petition.  We want to send 25,000 signatures to the Clemency Board by Thanksgiving.  To reach this goal we only need 4,000 more signatures.  Click on the following link to sign Michael’s petition:  www.petitiononline.com/MBehenna/petition.html
3)      Send Michael a letter or card.  The best part of Michael’s day is when the letters are delivered to his prison cell.  He thrives on those letters and your writing has become his eyes on the world. Please send him a short letter or card to let him know that he still has your support and that you appreciate his military service to our country.
It is hard to believe that it has been 18 months since the Army paraded Michael through three airports in handcuffs en route to prison.  Since those dark days we have waited patiently for the ‘justice’ system to address all the failures that we witnessed at Michael’s trial.  Finally the day has arrived when we will get a chance to argue why Michael’s conviction should be thrown out.  With your prayers and relentless support we will prevail and Michael will be free once more!

Bless each of you,
Scott & Vicki Behenna

Lema Bashir, Stealth Jihadist at Obama's DoJ, Sabotaged/Disenfranchised the Military Vote?

Increasingly the J in DoJ, points more to  jihad than to  justice.

Lema Bashir was at the center of Virginia failing to mail military ballots in time in 2008.  The same mistakes repeated in 2010 and United States military voters were heavily disenfranchised in 2010 because of in-actions by Bashir and DOJ throughout 2010. Disenfranchising the military vote is policy. You could make a case that bad mistakes were made in 2008 but that when those same mistakes are made and made worse in 2010 by a devout Muslim who calls Israel "northern Palestine," I submit that it is no accident but deliberate policy.

 

 Bashir is featured in this White House produced video about all the muslims in the executive branch.  Another hard sell Obama production of those whose interests clearly diverge from proud Americans. Obama was promoting on the White House website at the same time as his crippling submission speech to the ummah in Cairo (June '09) Notice in the video she refers to Israel as “North Palestine." Her family comes from there and she is militantly opposed to Israel.
 
 
Of the many astounding things about this video, one is the fact that the White House allowed it to go out with the supercharged term “North Palestine.”  Of course another amazing thing is what is this person doing with such a prominent role in “defending” the voting rights and strength of military voters???  Keep in mind that all through 2010, the Voting Section at DOJ had a IRAQ Navy Vet (Lt. Commander Sabatino Leo) and they refused to allow him to work on military voting cases.  Holder was even asked about this omission by Senator Sessions in an oversight hearing.  How does one explain the totally lackadaisical approach to military voting rights in 2010? 

Previous to her seditious career at the Department of Justice, Lema Bashir was a  legal adviser with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in Washington, D.C. The ADC:

• Opposes U.S. aid to Israel
• Opposes ethnic profiling of Arab Americans
• Supports Palestinian "martyrdom" campaigns in Israel

ADC in 2004 contributed $1,000 to the congressional campaign of Cynthia McKinney (D – Georgia). Samer Khalaf (Chairman of the ADC Political Outreach Committee in New Jersey) and Hareth Raddawi (a Board member of ADC’s Chicago branch) made personal contributions to McKinney’s campaign as well.


ADC identifies five major objectives that govern its activities:

(a) “Empowering Arab Americans”: A key means of achieving this is voter registration in large numbers.

(b) “Promoting civic participation”

(c) “Supporting freedom and development in the Arab World”

(d) “Defending the civil rights of all people of Arab heritage in the United States”: After the beginning of the U.S. war on terror, a perceptible shift occurred in the orientation and activities of ADC. It suddenly became a strident voice protesting what it said were plans by the Bush administration to curtail the civil liberties of Arab Americans. It depicted all anti-terrorism efforts by the Justice and Treasury Departments as unfair persecution based on ethnic discrimination. And it endorsed the Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004, which was designed to roll back, in the name of protecting civil liberties, vital national-security policies that had been adopted after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

ADC was a co-plaintiff in the first major legal challenge to a section of the Patriot Act -- specifically Section 215, which allows for government access to such information as medical, educational, and library records pursuant to a terrorism investigation. The organization has also endorsed the Community Resolution to Protect Civil Liberties campaign, which tries to influence city councils to pass resolutions of noncompliance with the provisions of the Patriot Act.

ADC was a signatory to a March 17, 2003 letter exhorting members of the U.S. Congress to oppose Patriot Act II on grounds that it contained “a multitude of new and sweeping law enforcement and intelligence gathering powers … that would severely dilute, if not undermine, many basic constitutional rights.” Fellow signers included the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Library Association, the Arab American Institute, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Immigrant Defense Project of the New York State Defenders Association, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Mennonite Central Committee, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Council of La Raza, the National Immigration Law Center, the National Lawyers Guild, People for the American Way, and Women Against War.

he Georgia and San Francisco chapters of ADC were signatories to a February 20, 2002 document composed by the radical group Refuse & Resist, condemning military tribunals and the detention of immigrants apprehended in connection with post-9/11 terrorism investigations. The document accused the U.S. government of rounding up and incarcerating large numbers of Arab, Muslim and South Asian immigrants without cause.

(e) ADC's fifth major objective is “Encouraging a balanced U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East”: In effect, this means discouraging American support for Israel, which ADC views as an oppressor nation that routinely violates the human rights of Palestinians. In August 2006 ADC drew up, for its supporters to sign, a petition that read: “If the United States is to be taken seriously as a peace making nation, it cannot continue to provide the weapons being used by Israel to kill hundreds of innocent people in such brutal and inhumane ways.” In ADC's view, America has more than once been guilty of genocide against foreign populations -- sometimes directly through the use of its own military might, and in other cases indirectly, through Israel.

In 1994, then-ADC President Hamzi Moghrabi said, “I will not call [Hamas] a terrorist organization. I mean, I know many people in Hamas. They are very respectable … I don’t believe Hamas, as an organization, is a violent organization.” Two years later, his successor, Hala Maksoud, defended Hamas’ partner in Mideastern terrorism, Hezbollah. “I find it shocking,” Maksoud said, “that [one] would include Hezbollah in … [an] inventory of Middle East ‘terrorist’ groups.” In 2000, new ADC President Hussein Ibish characterized Hezbollah as “a disciplined and responsible liberation force.” James Abourezk called Hamas and Hezbollah “resistance fighters.”

ADC was a signatory to a MAY 20, 2004 Joint Muslims/Arab-American Statement on Israeli Violence in Gaza, which "strongly condemn[ed]" Israel's "indiscriminate killings of innocent Palestinians, including many children," and its "demolition of Palestinian homes." The organization has also expressed its view that Israel’s security barrier in the West Bank is an illegal "apartheid wall." As noted by Debbie Schlussel, when Israel released hundreds of Hezbollah prisoners in early 2004, Imad Hamad, ADC’s Midwest Regional Director, openly celebrated the freedom of "the Heroes." This sentiment was consistent with ADC's longstanding pattern of praising both Hezbollah and Hamas.

ADC formerly ran ads in its publication ADC Times for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which in 2001 President Bush shut down for funneling millions of dollars to Hamas. 

ADC is composed of five major departments:

(a) The Legal Department is staffed by a team of full-time attorneys who provide advice and referrals “whenever Arab Americans face discrimination.” “Since the attacks of September 11,” ADC laments, “our … community is becoming increasingly vulnerable. The documentation of hate crimes or discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality or religion is important to our community as a collective.”

In an article back in September 2006:

Lema Bashir, a legal adviser with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in Washington, D.C., said the group sees spikes in employment discrimination not only after events such as Sept. 11, but also when violence occurs in the Middle East, inflammatory stories appear in the media or even certain movies gain popularity.

[...]

In the years since the attacks, Bashir said, the types of complaints filed with the ADC have changed.

"The more common types of employment discrimination reported immediately after Sept. 11 were verbal and physical harassment, and termination because of race, religion or national origin," Bashir said.

Fast forward to Barack Hussein Obama's crusade to install devout Muslims in senior positions in his administration and all branches of government, enter Lema Bashir.

Bashir is very active in subversive, anti-American efforts:

CHRGJ at NYU Law: Racial Profiling and Counter-Terrorism

Lema Bashir at launch of report Americans on Hold: Profiling, Citizenship, and the "War on Terror" - yes, it's an America bashign report by the usual suspects CAIR,

Disgrace: DOJ Fails to Protect Military Voting Rights PJM

In 2008, some 17,000 servicemen and servicewomen mailed home completed ballots that were never counted. The DOJ barely lifted a finger to prevent or prosecute this travesty. What will happen in 2010?

In the 2008 presidential election, 17,000 soldiers, sailors, and Marines mailed home completed ballots that were never counted.

Usually these ballots didn’t get home in time, mostly because they weren’t sent overseas early enough. One cause of this catastrophe is the Keystone Cops routine the Department of Justice Voting Section uses to enforce federal laws protecting the rights of military voters. Unfortunately, all signs point to a comic sequel in the upcoming November elections.

Congress tried to fix the problem last year by mandating that all ballots must be sent overseas at least 45 days before the election. But Military Voter Protection Project Director M. Eric Eversole has accused Justice Department officials of encouraging states to seek an exemption to the law. The law indeed grants states the right to ask the Pentagon to opt out of the law. Even worse, Eversole says the Department is telegraphing to states that it doesn’t want to pursue litigation to enforce the law.

Some voting rights are more important than others, it seems. Where have we heard this before?

Exemptions to the 45-day mailing mandate were supposed to be rare, and granted only for the most extreme emergencies. States had plenty of time to amend their laws to comply with the new 45-day window. Many states did nothing. Instead of aggressively enforcing the new protections, Justice has told states that the waiver provisions are ambiguous and encouraged waivers in numerous ways.

Senator John Cornyn, upon learning of the DOJ’s wobbly view of the new law, made it clear to the Pentagon in a recent meeting with Undersecretary Clifford Stanley that the Pentagon — which has the power to grant waivers — calls the shots. Cornyn’s message was the Pentagon should ignore any milquetoast attitudes emanating out of the Voting Section at Justice. Expect Senator Cornyn’s office to watch this issue like a hawk, which thankfully he is when it comes to military voting.

But Senator Cornyn has more reasons to worry than he knows. The investigative methods used by Justice in military voting matters are wholly inadequate. And even when the bureaucracy stumbles across violations, the Voting Section is timorous, and reluctant to aggressively litigate disenfranchisement of military voting rights.

One need only look at 2008 for proof. That year the Justice Department set up no telephone hotline for military voters to complain if they didn’t receive their ballot in time. No email address for the armed services was in use either. No outreach via military email, such as the daily “Early Bird,” took place. In fact, on the DOJ webpage devoted to military voting, all complaints are referred to the Pentagon. Naturally, after being detoured to the Pentagon, the aggrieved solider will learn the Pentagon has no enforcement power at all! Justice does.

[....] 

A document filed in the military voting case of McCain v. Cunningham makes plain the disinterested enforcement system at DOJ for military voters. In 2008, the McCain campaign learned that the Commonwealth of Virginia was sending ballots out far too late for them to ever be successfully returned before the election. The campaign responded by immediately commencing a lawsuit.

Think about that: the very day before a historic election, a presidential campaign — with the distracting whirlwind of activity and bustle — was able to do what the bureaucrats at DOJ are paid to do, and didn’t: figure out Virginia was breaking federal law and file a lawsuit.

An affidavit of Voting Section attorney Lema Bashir in the case tells you all you need to know about how ineffective the DOJ investigative methods are during election season. It can be read here.

[...]

“On September 30, 2008,” Bashir notes, “I spoke with Vickie Williams” at the Virginia State Board of Elections. Williams was in charge of monitoring the mailing of military ballots. You’ll note this conversation occurred only 35 days before the election.

Until Congress stepped in last year, the statute set no mailing deadline, and DOJ was only requiring ballots to be mailed 30 days in advance. The Military Postal Service Agency had recommended 60 days, but bureaucrats inside DOJ were stuck in their ways and refused to budge from the 30-day tradition despite calls from all quarters to do so. In a rebuke to the bureaucrats, the new law now requires 45 days.

And what was the extent of the DOJ’s efforts to figure out if the thousands of Virginians serving overseas had their ballots mailed in time? On September 30, “Ms. Williams assured me that all of Virginia’s localities had sent absentee ballots to all UOCAVA voters who had requested an absentee ballot up until that date. She told me that she would send a follow-up email to [the Pentagon] with the specific dates when each locality had mailed such ballots,” the affidavit states.

Ms. Williams assured that all was well. Except it wasn’t. Actually, many ballots in Virginia were mailed overseas just a couple of weeks before the election. There was no chance they would ever be returned in time to be counted.

On Halloween 2008, the DOJ learned they had gotten a trick courtesy of the Virginia State Board of Elections when Ms. Williams called back with some bad news. She told the DOJ that her system never really could “provide the information requested” such as “the specific dates when each locality in Virginia had mailed such ballots.” Nobody actually knew what was going on — not Virginia, and obviously not the Justice Department either. The election was just four days away and the witches brew of electoral catastrophe was boiling.

One wonders what was happening from September 30 until October 31. Will the DOJ use this same broken system again in 2010? I’d suggest the DOJ look outside the bureaucracy, to the private sector, where experts on systems management exist that can fix this mess and prevent it from happening again. Turning inward to the bureaucracy for answers is likely to yield the same sorry results. But I’ll bet virtually nothing changes because a bureaucrat’s first instinct is to deny that a problem exists.

On November 3, the day before the election, the McCain campaign — unable to convince the DOJ it needed to act, and fast — filed a lawsuit to protect military voters. And not until November 14, 2008, did the DOJ do what it should have done weeks before — file papers in court to protect Virginia voters serving overseas in the military. Eventually the United States took the place of the McCain campaign and litigated the case.

Remember, this same mess played out all over the country, but the whip-smart investigative methods of the DOJ never could detect it. Seventeen thousand trashed military ballots prove it.

Amazingly, the Virginia State Board of Elections (SBE) is continuing to advocate positions in the ongoing (yes, ongoing) litigation which are hostile to military voting rights. Those responsible for these disgraceful positions should be removed, or Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli should be allowed to assume management of the defense. Cuccinelli does not suffer fools gladly, particularly ones seeking to make it harder for soldiers and sailors to vote. No doubt he would settle the case immediately and agree to protect our servicemembers fully.

But the single Bashir affidavit, filed in the single military voting case arising out of the 2008 election where 17,000 military votes were trashed, tells you everything you need to know.

While our soldiers patrol dangerous frontiers in Korea and south Asia, looking hard for any signs of danger, the DOJ has a very different approach when it comes to detecting compliance by states with federal law. Airmen glued to radar screens and sailors listening hard to the sounds from towed sonar arrays have a right to expect better from bureaucrats in Washington. They put their lives on the line for us. The DOJ should do more than take the word of Vickie Williams at the Virginia SBE that all is well, all is quiet, no problems to report. And the DOJ should respond with overwhelming force when signs appear that states aren’t ready to comply with the new federal 45-day mailing mandate. Requests for waivers from the 45-day mandate should be denied. In fact, requests for waivers should trigger a DOJ investigation.

We owe these heroes no less.

Read the rest here.

McCain Motion to Intervene 11-14-08 ExA

Read the affidavit. Her efforts to "protect" US soldier voting rights would be comic if they weren't so treasonous.

 

The three ranking members of the House of Representatives with oversight over military voting issues and the Justice Department sent a devastating letter to Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez. The curtain has been pulled back, and the DOJ spin that they are doing everything they can to protect military voters has become a laugh line.

Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith, Armed Service Committee Ranking Member Buck McKeon, and Elections Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin McCarthy all joined forces to describe the clownish DOJ enforcement tactics in the letter. The problem for Eric Holder is that in just a few weeks, these three will probably shed the title “ranking member” and replace it with “chairman.”

Military ballots were required to be sent by September 18 under federal law. Some states, such as New York, received an extension to October 1. Despite these hard deadlines, nearly a third of states have failed to comply with the law. Military ballots have not been sent and in some cases this means our soldiers overseas are going to lose their right to vote. The public is beginning to see why.

“Public records” and media reports, like the many here at PJM, have “painted a picture of widespread noncompliance with federal law aided and abetted by an enforcement authority that is entirely ineffective,” the congressmen say. Strong stuff, that “aided and abetted” comparison, for it is a term mostly used to describe a criminal enterprise.

The laughs keep coming in the letter: “What we find most troubling about this situation” is that the DOJ “not only failed to ensure compliance but apparently” — get ready for it — “was not even aware when widespread noncompliance occurred.” Perhaps DOJ lawyers should bookmark PJM, because we were reporting on noncompliance days before they made their first calls into places like Illinois and Arkansas!

Here’s the best part: “The only way Members of Congress, the public” and the voters learned that ballots required to be mailed by September 18 hadn’t mailed is because “private organizations took it upon themselves to inquire” — emphasis added on inquire. What the congressmen are pointing out is that the DOJ never picked up the phone. It was the Military Voter Protection Project — an organization run by Lt. Commander (Res.) Eric Eversole that organizes teams of volunteer law students to do the DOJ’s job for them. These volunteers protected our soldiers for free, while bureaucrats in Washington making more than $140,000 a year dropped the ball. Eversole knows firsthand the ineptitude of the DOJ military voting rights management — he worked at the Voting Section and saw it firsthand.

So how did private citizens learn about violations of federal law in places like New Mexico, New York, Arkansas, and Illinois before the DOJ did? That’s where the story shifts from comic to tragic.

Simply, DOJ lawyers trusted informal emails from state election officials without firsthand knowledge that ballots had mailed. The emails came days after the deadline and didn’t even certify that the ballots mailed by the deadline. They only certified they had mailed.

Certified may be too strong a word. The three ranking members note they were “vague and misleading assertions of compliance.” For example, New York’s email message that “purportedly” certifies that all ballots were mailed by the deadline says only the ballots were “transmitted.” “That ‘certification’ includes no assurance that the reports it refers to are true, and does not even purport to state that the ballots were mailed by the October 1 deadline rather than the October 5 date of the email.”

The response of the DOJ lawyer to this motley “certification”?

“Thanks very much for the update,” he wrote back.

Read the rest here.

Fast forward to October 2010:

Congress Catches On to DOJ’s Keystone Kops Show

The curtain has been pulled back, and the Department of Justice spin that they are doing everything they can to protect military voters has become a laugh line.

 

Camp Patriot

There's a lovely little organization that does incredible good. I have been corresponding with Bill Clark, who operates this wonderful camp.

God has blessed Camp Patriot to be able to take disabled veterans from all war eras on outdoor adventures.  The first man we took on an outdoor adventure (fishing in Montana) was an 86 year old survivor of the Bataan Death March and a 5 year prisoner of war from WWII.  They are called “The greatest generation” for a reason, there are few like them.

Micah Clark our founder at Camp Patriot has assembled teams to climb Mt Rainier for four years now.  Disabled veterans that have climbed include, three blind, two of which are (Captain Scotty Smiley author of “Hope Unseen”, and Ryan Job (deceased) Navy SEAL and Camp Patriot spokesman) two with leg prosthetics, once paralyzed six months before the climb and a number of veterans with such massive internal and external injuries; it is unbelievable they are still alive. We have had the honor to take men and women disabled veteran’s bear, elk, deer, bird hunting, fishing, motor cycle rides and soon to come snowmobile trips.  We have gotten to know the hearts of many warriors, these might men and women of valor. It takes our breath away to know that they stood to defend a nation that sometimes does not stand to defend them. May God find a reason to bless America; we know He has a reason to bless these warriors of valor.

Additionally in 2009 we brought two Israelis wounded soldiers to Montana for two weeks of adventures.  Even though hosted by Camp Patriot we did not use any Camp Patriot funds to host them as those funds are donated and reserved for US Disabled Veterans.  We worked with a friend in Israel, Ilan Brunner founder of Disraeli’s and Calvary Chapel Spokane Washington to bring them here. Our link to Israel is critical and as a Christian based organization we hold our allegiance to God, Family and Country.

If anyone would like to see photos and read stories of these amazing men and women please visit our site at www.camppatriot.org.

Camp Patriot  takes no tax dollars to carry out their mission.  They rely on patriotic Americans and American corporations to aid in the mission of “giving back to those who have given.”  

 

America's Suicide Mission: In Case of Base Shooting, DOD Says Grab Three Ring Binder

We are being betrayed by our "betters."

Attached is the Official Tyndall AFB Plan called "How to Survive an Active Shooter." This is in response to the Fort Hood jihadi's wholesale  slaughter of US soldiers, the largest attack on a US army base in American history. This report/response is a pathetic and embarrassing surrender to barbarians. Read it and weep. 

As you know, service members are not allowed to carry firearms on base. So what is the remedy? Our precious servicemen and women are instructed to dial 911 while playing dead (p. 18), and to attack the shooter with a three-ring binder or paper cutter (p. 19). Think I am kidding? Read the report -  Download Military

When did American life become cheap? When did appeasing savages and a radically intolerant ideology trump protecting and defending American lives and the US Constitution?

"It is important to remember there is no "standard" for random shooting events and no profile of the shooters"

How could any rational thinking person stand behind such a statement? The Fort Hood shooting was jihad. Proud jihad. Unabashed jihad.

Instead of reversing the ridiculous restriction on our military from carrying firearms on our bases, our servicemen and women are advised to make use of three ring binders ............. or any other "makeshift weapon."

Air Force Intel Chief: No US Air Superiority

It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. What has to happen to rouse us from our stupor?

Daryl sent this and remarked,"Does this mean The United States is going to depend on lawyers and good faith negotiations for its national security? I guess we can't afford preparations to defend ourselves if we are going maintain full social benefit programs for all the politicians political friends and family.

Can't we stop electing the Peter Pans to Congress?"

Exiting AF Intel Chief: No US Air Superiority Stars and Stripes

OXON HILL, Md. -- The U.S. Air Force’s former top intelligence officer warned a roomful of generals this week that the U.S. has lost its air power advantages and is dangerously ill-prepared to stop the gap-closing efforts of China and Russia. Lt. Gen. David Deptula, a former F-15 pilot, challenged Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ fundamental belief that U.S. air power vastly overmatches any foreign military. “For the first time, our claim to air supremacy is in jeopardy,” Deptula told the Air Force Association’s national convention on Monday.

At the same forum last year, Gates defended ordering a halt to the production of the Air Force’s vaunted F-22, saying that by the time China produces a fighter comparable to the F-22, the U.S. will have more than 1,000 F-22s and F-35s.

The Air Force Association has openly opposed Gates’ stance and this year Deptula came armed with a 15-minute bombastic video titled “Threats to 2010 Air Supremacy.” His presentation attempted to reopen more than just the F-22 fight, warning that from surface-to-air defenses to air-to-air fighters, the U.S. was letting others catch up. These future threats, he said, are now current.

There is “a global revolution to modernize air defense systems,” the video’s narrator explained. Russia and China are deploying or building better surface-to-air missile, or SAM, systems that could one day prove too much for U.S. fighter aircraft. Within the decade, it said, both nations could field fighter jets nearly comparable to the F-22.

“When taken in total, our potential adversaries can create a nearly impenetrable box that our legacy fighters cannot enter, thus denying us our air supremecy,” it said. After showing the video, Deptula dismissed “the notion of overmatch in the realm of air dominance,” a reference to the Gates position. It is unclear how much weight Deptula will be able to lend to those in the Air Force, or on Capitol Hill, clamoring to defend air power procurement programs. Gates frequently has said he wants the Pentagon to prioritize building a force and arsenal ready to meet the most current and plausible threats.

So far, Gates has been largly successful, and Deputla’s presentation was riddled with worst-case scenarios.

“The dominance we’ve enjoyed in the aerial domain is no longer ours for the taking,” Deptula said.

Muslim-American Soldier Tells Al Jizz: U.S. Army Training is ‘Propaganda Against Islam’

Gives you a comforting feeling, doesn't it? Lots of devout Muslim soldiers at Fort Hood.

Muslim-American Soldier at Fort Hood Tells Al Jazeera: U.S. Army Training is ‘Propaganda Against Islam’ 
(CNSNews.com) - Zachari Klawonn, a Muslim U.S. Army specialist stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, told the Arabic-language television network Al Jazeera in a recent interview that training he had undergone in the U.S. military was “propaganda against Islam.” Klawonn said he was subject to harassment from fellow soldiers and from the Army command itself. A spokesman for Fort Hood told CNSNews.com that, as an American, Klawonn had a right to express his views and that he had informed his commanding officer that he was going to appear on Al-Jazeera.

U.S. soldier: "I Can't Deploy and Be A Muslim"

Fort Hood jihadi Major Hasan, the jihadi who mowed down 13 US soldiers while screaming allahu akbar,  said the same thing as this soldier, and explained it in detail in his powerpoint presentation here.

Following are excerpts from an Al-Jazeera TV report about Muslim U.S. soldier Nasser Abdo, who has refused to be deployed to Afghanistan. The report aired on August 21, 2010, and included clips of Abdo praying in his home while wearing his Army camouflage uniform. According to the report, his wife in Canada runs a website to raise money for Abdo's legal campaign, and he has retained a lawyer.

To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memri.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2594.htm 

"This Muslim Soldier is Refusing to be Sent with His Unit because … as a Muslim He is Forbidden to Kill Muslims"

Reporter: "The Muslim U.S. soldier Nasser Abdo prays five times a day where he lives near the Fort Campbell base in Kentucky, from where some 5,000 soldiers are to be sent to Afghanistan as part of President Obama's plan, which strives to eliminate the Taliban. Abdo's fellow soldiers are preparing for deployment to Afghanistan soon, according to their orders. But this Muslim soldier is refusing to be sent with his unit, because, he exclaims, as a Muslim he is forbidden to kill Muslims." 

Nasser Abdo: "I don't believe I can involve myself in an army that wages war against Muslims. I don't believe I could sleep at night if I take part, in any way, in the killing of a Muslim." 

Reporter: "Nasser says that he has chosen to live his life according to the teachings of Islam. Therefore, he has requested – in accordance with U.S. law – to be discharged from service, because this runs counter to the teachings of his religion. But he says that his commanders have been procrastinating, and to this day, have not given him a clear answer. He has decided not to go to Afghanistan, even though he knows that he might face two years in prison." 

Nasser Abdo: "They haven't processed my packet at all. I even heard from my unity commander that they lost my military record. I can't deploy with my unit to Afghanistan and participate in the war – I can't both deploy and be a Muslim." 

"Army sources Told Al-Jazeera TV that the Serviceman Nasser would Not be Sent to Afghanistan within the Next Few Days"

Reporter: "The armed command at Fort Campbell issued a written statement in response to our questions regarding the case of serviceman Nasser Abdo, according to which the U.S. army recognizes that a soldier's religious beliefs may change over time. It said, however, that discharge is an administrative procedure that takes six months. 

"Army sources told Al-Jazeera TV that the serviceman Nasser would not be sent to Afghanistan within the next few days, and that his application was under review, but the final decision whether to send him to Afghanistan or not was up to his direct commander in Fort Campbell. For his part, serviceman Nasser Abdo expects to get his deployment orders at any moment. 

"It is a military secret, and therefore serviceman Nasser Abdo cannot tell us when his unit will be headed to Afghanistan. It will, however, be soon, and Abdo will not be with them. He will, apparently, be facing a prison sentence. 

"He has one lawyer, and his wife from Canada runs a website to raise money to finance his defense. The family of serviceman Nasser Abdo is preparing for a lengthy and bitter legal battle. 

"This is Nasser Hussein, Al-Jazeera TV, from Kentucky."

Muslim Who Sued US Military Linked to Hamas funder, Muslim Brotherhood CAIR

Can you smell a set-up? More of the dangerous infiltration by subversive Islamic groups attempting to, in their own words, work toward "eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within, and sabotaging its miserable house."

Unindicted co-conspirator, Hamas funder, Muslim Brotherhood front CAIR, in its ongoing and relentless attacks to destroy America in a civilizational jihad, is the evil puppetmaster behind the Muslim who sued the military.

Muslim who sued U.S. military is linked to CAIR, has rap sheet Creeping

Islamist infiltration of the U.S. military, courtesy of Hyscience and a number of linked sources below:

US Muslim soldier Zachari Klawonn, who appeared in uniform on Al-Jazeera complaining of Islamophobia in US military was EXPELLED in 2008 for bringing GUN to SCHOOL and a rap video THREATENING school staff, and is friends with convicted terror exporter

Uh oh, looks like Islamo-apologist,, Muslim-appeasing, ABC got suckered again in it’s fawning, anti-U.S. military, interview with a U.S. soldier complaining of Islamophobia in the military on al-Jazeera. It turns out (via Jawa Report) that CAIR poster boy SPC. Zachari Klawonn at Ft. Hood is not so squeaky-clean as the media makes him out to be. According to the Herald Tribune, Klawonn was expelled from school for bringing a gun to school. He also participated in a rap video that threatened his high school teachers and staff.

Joe Kaufman at Americans Against Hate has previously reported on Klawonn, including this picture of him running around with convicted terror exporter (he was convicted for exporting thermal imaging equipment to Syria) Bassem Alhalabi (At one time, Al Halabi served as a research assistant for University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian, who was the North American leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad)):

And as for Klawonn being a CAIR poster boy, there’s much evidence for this:

Since he enlisted, Klawonn has personally filed a number of complaints with his commanders about what he perceives as intolerant acts against him. He says that one of the toughest things he has had to endure is his fellow soldiers referring to him as “terrorist.” This is dubious, however, as Klawonn has begun to associate himself with groups connected to terrorism.One of these groups is CAIR or the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR was founded by Hamas operatives in June 1994, and from 2007 through 2008, CAIR was named by the U.S. Justice Department a party to the financing of millions of dollars to Hamas.

Klawonn solicited CAIR to write a letter on his behalf to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, complaining of the Army’s treatment of him.

Another group Klawonn has gotten involved with is United Voices for America (UVA), an organization headed by the former Executive Director of CAIR-Tampa and former “unofficial spokesman” for convicted terrorist Sami al-Arian, Ahmed Bedier.

It sounds like Klawonn is, if not an Islamist himself, at the very least a terrorist sympathizer who hangs with an Islamist, terrorist-supporting, crowd, including Islamist, terrorist-supporting, CAIR..

(Top image – FrontPageMag)

Falling on his sword

 

Look, we all know why Stanley McChrystal did what he did. He loves his country.

Frankly, I am surprised that there have not been more defections and resignations from our military. Obama's rules of engagement are deadly, his desire to partner with the barbaric Taliban is the action of an enemy, and when all is said and done, he has no strategy -- but it's getting our boys and girls killed in record numbers.

Clearly, the McChrystal affair casts real doubt on Barack Obama's qualities as a war president. And the media's spin on this historic rebuke of an incompetent wartime president is nothing short of criminal (treasonous, even).

McChrystal deserves the purple heart for this one. He has my undying respect and admiration for standing for what's right.

Dan F wrote this of the debacle.

Let’s assume four-star general Stanley McChrystal is no idiot and after a distinguished 35-year career in the military he knows the rules of the game. Let’s go even further and resolve that a man who spent a year at Harvard, and later ran super secret intelligence operations during the 2nd Iraq war, knows all about liberals, the media, how to keep his mouth shut and when to open it up. Lastly, let’s repeat the obvious. Stanley McChrystal loves his country and believes in his mission.

All of which raises a question that begs to be answered: Why did the general plan to have his deep misgivings about the commander-in-chief aired graphically in public, knowing full well it meant professional suicide?

The answer? Bravery and sacrifice take many forms. McChrystal’s Rolling Stone interview is his message in a bottle to the American people about the nature of our civilian leadership in the Age of Obama. Now that the bottle has come ashore we need to read the note carefully, ignore the MSM's red herrings, and take it at face value.

(Tono hat tip Robo)

• Get Your Autographed Copy Here!
• The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America

O Cancels Memorial literally and figuratively to those "who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country"

Uh, whose country? Brother Obama's latest slip of the foreign tongue.

Obama: Memorial Day is time to honor troops (hat tip Pamela H)

More than just barbecues and family time, Memorial Day is the chance to honor members of the military who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country, President Barack Obama

Within the hour, reporters who accompanied Obama to the cemetery in Elwood, Ill., were told the speech had been called off. The White House had released copies of Obama's prepared remarks in advance of his talk, but they were pulled back when the event had to be canceled."

Why pull back the remarks? Why not give his faux speech inside?

Obama, who has sent thousands of troops into war in Afghanistan with the most difficult, and some would say homicidal, ROE's, was not in Arlington today at the tomb of the unknown soldier. No, our Nancy boy spent Memorial day weekend next door to Farrakhan's house in Chicago. He calypso strutted over to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery outside Chicago, but it was raining................. so he ran in from out of the rain. I kid you not.

A Downpour on Memorial Day in Illinois

The President was able to lay a wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois before it started raining, but was forced to cancel his planned remarks.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....poor baby.

"Under the cover of a large umbrella, he told thousands gathered before him that while "a little rain never hurt anybody," nobody wanted "anybody struck by lightning." He asked people to return to their cars for their safety, and he retreated briefly to an administration building on the cemetery's grounds. Obama a few minutes later boarded a pair of buses to greet military families that came for the event.

Within the hour, reporters who accompanied Obama to the cemetery in Elwood, Ill., were told the speech had been called off. The White House had released copies of Obama's prepared remarks in advance of his talk, but they were pulled back when the event had to be canceled."

Obama has been criticized by some veterans groups for planning to attend a holiday service Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery outside Chicago, instead of going to Arlington National Cemetery as presidents often do on Memorial Day and as he did last year. Vice President Joe Biden will be at Arlington this year. (here)

Perception vs. Reality

How brilliantly and concretely this illustrates the asshattery and dhimmitude of our self imposed sharia enforcement. Do not insult Islam! Hence the twists, turns, delusions, denials, somersaults ..... in explaining the Afghan situation. It's the jihad, stupid.

US generals given baffling PowerPoint presentation to try to explain Afghanistan mess

Baffling: The PowerPoint slide shown to US commanders shows security, economic and political conditions in Afghanistan. The dark blue arrows represent Afghan National Security Forces with the enemy in red. Other arrows highlight corruption, tribal favouritism and drug trafficking. Its coloured charts, graphs and bullet-points are supposed to make the most incomprehensible data crystal clear.

But even the sharpest military minds in American were left baffled by this PowerPoint slide, a mind-boggling attempt to explain the situation in Afghanistan. 'When we understand that slide, we'll have won the war,' General Stanley McChrystal, the US and NATO force commander, remarked wryly when confronted by the sprawling spaghetti diagram in a briefing.

On the other hand

Here's Major Hasam's power point presentation. Major Hasan was the jihadi who committed the biggest attack on a US military base on American soil in US history. Major Hasan created this powerpoint presentation and presented it on grand rounds to announce his intention.

In the greatest cover-up of an enemy attack on American soil, the Pentagon (in a manner mirroring the above Afghanistan power point presentation) never spoke of Islam or jihad in its investigation or series of recommendations.

Our government is failing us in the one thing, the only thing they are responsible for -- defense. All the other stuff they do is carpet baggery and enslavement through taxation and redistribution of wealth. The national defense is why we put up with this highway robbery.

Hasan's Presentation: The Only Power Point You Need to Understand Islamic Jihad

It's a rotating gif -- watch the whole presentation. The page changes every 15 seconds. Send this to military brass. Obama doesn't need one. He knows it by heart. He studied it as a child.