A new Kat for laden ladenfam team

laden ladenfam's blogging team is delighted to announce the appointment of a seventh team member, this being none other than Catherine M. Lee.  Having qualified as a solicitor and trade mark attorney in Australia and as a solicitor and barrister in England and Wales, Catherine also holds a PhD from the University of Oxford. She currently works as a Night Lawyer for The Sun newspaper. Previous convictions include spells working for law firm Clayton Utz and the Australian Copyright Council.

A talented linguist (her familiarity with Japanese, German, French and Italian more than compensates for Jeremy's well-chronicled deficiencies in this regard), Catherine is also an expert wine-taster (she has held office as President of the Oxford University Wine Society).

Keen readers of this weblog will have noticed that Catherine has written two guest pieces for it recently, which you can sample here and here. We all look forward to more of the same, so let's give warm welcome to Cat the Kat!

The Power Behind the New World Order

(YouTube link)

THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION IS NOW

Don’t bitch later that the Republican Teahadists destroyed your benefits

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The Myth Behind Multiculturalism

All over Europe we have seen the leaders of Germany and France and Britain as well as others finally standing up to admit and profess that "multiculturalism" has been a complete failure on the continent and that it is time to try and reverse it.

This article at Family Security Matters delves into the myth of multiculturalism and just how it was destined to fail from the beginning. At the same time, I'd like to put out there that the idea of "multiculturalism" is just another tool in the tool box of the Marxists - this whole idea of multicultural acceptance and political correctness wasn't some simple accident - this was planned and executed by the Left in this world. Look at America and view the idea that Americans have to give up some of their rights to accommodate the Muslims into this country. Look at the fact that Senator Lindsay Graham even went so far to say that the First Amendment was just an "idea" when he was confronted by the violence of Muslims offended by it.

The question is this - will an American President stand up in three or four years and declare that American multiculturalism is a failure here or will we have stood fast years before and squashed this Marxist idea?

The Myth Behind Multiculturalism


Multiculturalism, although theoretically a great utopian idea is proving to be a recipe doomed for failure like mixing vinegar and oil. The world can no longer tolerate the increase of violence such as suicide bombings, roadside bombs and along with injustices felt to be foreign to their cultures, imposed on us. With these uprisings there is increasing efforts and more countries around the world are beginning to say “no” to multiculturalism, including saying "no" to the veil.

Presidents, prime ministers, public servants, private citizens and others are irritated and tired of having to adapt to immigrants rather than immigrants adapting to their new countries and western culture. It’s become a “take it or leave it” situation, no longer worrying about whether we in the West are offending others, individuals, their communities or their cultures.

As psychoanalysts and observers we introduce the concept of adaptation, based on the works of the famous psychoanalyst Heinz Hartmann who claimed that the healthy baby, child or person learns to adapt to their environment, whereas the unhealthy ones insist on the environment adapting to them. Hartmann focused on how the realistic part of the psyche known as the ego has its own destiny in the ability to adapt to new environments. In applying Hartmann's concept to multiculturalism we believe it is fair to say that immigrants have a civic responsibility to adapt as long as the environment is acceptable.

Hartmann was himself an immigrant from Nazi Germany and knew of what he spoke and wrote. (We hasten to add that both of us are immigrants as well.) He was one of the first to move away from the intrapsychic world to the importance of the environment. The problem we see in accepting multiculturalism is it does not take adaptation into account. Instead for the most part, most Muslims feel it is up to their adopted country to adapt to them under the guise of being "misunderstood" with the accusation that westerners lack empathy and sympathy toward their “cause.”

Anthony Pagden, author of Worlds at War presents another issue that is the clash of civilizations where East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet. This is precisely the problem for adaptation, which becomes far more complex because for over 1,000 years, the majority of Muslims have basically not had to adapt nor have they had to incorporate western ways of life, and the ones who have, have put their own lives at risk.

Even the alleged golden age of Spain and its convivencia tended toward more parallel communities living under the domination of Islam while being categorized as dhimmis, the "protected" (lege patronized) class of Christians and Jews in particular who were, by the way, basically treated at devalued females.

Let us now say a few words about multiculturalism and how under the guise of religious freedom one can act out their most destructive fantasies. Basically, multiculturalism as critiqued by social scientists and politicians shows the inability to adapt and the setting up of parallel enclaves within a larger society in a social benefits-oriented dependency. German Chancellor Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy along with British Prime Minister David Cameron have noted the failure of this once trendy academic ideology, spear headed by the likes of the now dead Edward Said whose multiculturalism was and has been an attack on Israel in particular. Our effort is not to trace out the origins of multiculturalism, but to look at it from a psychological point of view in order to enhance an understanding of why it is doomed to fail. From our point of view it is inextricably linked to the concept of adaptation. Submission, compliance, control and domination obviously do not mix with adaptation. These are elements engrained in a cult-like environment where the group bands together and under the rubric of saving face, support honor killings and suicide bombing as average normative behavior.

One cannot discuss multiculturalism without making reference to the veil and the symbolic covert message it conveys. Those who want to live under Sharia law in the West want to impose it. However, western women do not want the veil imposed on them or for that matter on any other woman as it represents the repression of women’s rights and the dark shadow behind creeping Sharia. One former Muslim, Al Fadi, recently expressed the irony he finds in all of this, that it is

“ . . .appalling that some Muslims always like to impose Islamic rules and traditions on others everywhere they go or live. It is frustrating to read or hear of such complaints by Muslims directed against others, when in fact Muslims tend to deny others the very same rights who live in Islamic countries under Islamic law.”

Westerners no longer see the veil as an exotic accoutrement but rather as a symbol of potential violence, hostility and vengeance but most especially the suppression of women as compliant and obedient. We believe that a significant majority of western women “get it” that these women who don the burka and any of its forms have been mentally if not physically beaten into submission though many would deny it. This is so, as we speculate, that they are highly dissociated due to being chronically terrorized and that they have formed an identification with their aggressors. Ironically, the veil has such poor fit since many western women want to shop until they drop in short skirts and low cut dresses without shame.

To conclude: the West has always embraced people of various cultures and has extensively tried to help them integrate, welcoming immigrants with open arms. Our hospitality has gone too far and it is now ego-dystonic to suddenly have immigrants take over and impose their laws and values as found in Sharia law. We must not be blinded with benevolent myopia to note how the rise of terrorism and the endless threats to the West are causing more people to see beyond the myth of this vision to a fantasy called multiculturalism. We now need to look beyond the veil to see multiculturalism for what it really is -- how it does not lead to more freedom of expression but rather it has lead to an insidious political correctness, more violence and threats of more terrorism.

Video: JDAMs Work On the Taliban Landscape

Screengrab details of larger images from this ABCNews Slideshow of the 2011 British Royal Wedding :

Taliban Announce the Start of Their Spring Offensive..."Operation Badar" Begins Tomorrow

I think it's encouraging that the Taliban have adopted the NATO and U.S. tradition of naming an offensive...as the Taliban announced "Operation Badar" will begin tomorrow in Afghanistan...now the Taliban can chalk up one more form of westernized tradition that they have adopted.

Each and every year of the War in Afghanistan we have seen the infamous "spring offensive" when these trolls come out of the mountains in search of blood and food. You will recall that last year in 2010, the heralded spring offensive was a complete dud. Well, the Taliban have been more specific this year in who they intend to target with Badar.

From The Long War Journal:

The Taliban have announced that they will launch their 'spring offensive' against the Afghan government and Coalition and Afghan forces starting on May 1. The announcement comes just one day after top US officers warned of a major Taliban offensive that will start this week.

In a statement released on their propaganda website, Voice of Jihad, the Taliban announced they will launch operation "Badar" starting on May 1. The statement is attributed to the "Leadership Council" of the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," which is better known as the Quetta Shura. Badar (or Badr) was a battle fought and won by the Prophet Mohammed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia; the victory is attributed to the divine intervention of Allah.

The Taliban said Badar's primary targets would be "foreign invading forces, members of their spy networks and (other) spies, high-ranking officials of the Kabul Puppet Administration, both military and civilian, members of the cabinet, members of the parliament, Heads of foreign and local companies working for the enemy and contractors."

The Taliban specifically signaled out members of the Afghan High Peace Council as a primary target of attacks as the council seeks to promote reconciliation and blunt the terror group's ability to fight against the Afghan government and Coalition forces.

Now, that's a pretty extensive list of enemies the Taliban have targeted but they forgot to list some that they will go after. Allow me to finish the list:

• School children who are brazen enough to wish to learn how to read and write
• Women who have looked at a man in the past six months
• Women whose ankle was showing when they bent down to get water from a river
• South Korean women in the country as missionaries
• All westerners in the country who are there giving aid to the sick Afghan people
• Any muslim who doesn't buy into the Taliban's form of Islam

Obviously, we're hoping that we are looking at another dud this spring in Afghanistan but I would be on the alert for tomorrow - I'm guessing that the Taliban are going to want to start their announced offensive with a big bang.

Taliban announce beginning of their 'spring offensive'


The Taliban have announced that they will launch their 'spring offensive' against the Afghan government and Coalition and Afghan forces starting on May 1. The announcement comes just one day after top US officers warned of a major Taliban offensive that will start this week.

In a statement released on their propaganda website, Voice of Jihad, the Taliban announced they will launch operation "Badar" starting on May 1. The statement is attributed to the "Leadership Council" of the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," which is better known as the Quetta Shura. Badar (or Badr) was a battle fought and won by the Prophet Mohammed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia; the victory is attributed to the divine intervention of Allah.

The Taliban said Badar's primary targets would be "foreign invading forces, members of their spy networks and (other) spies, high-ranking officials of the Kabul Puppet Administration, both military and civilian, members of the cabinet, members of the parliament, Heads of foreign and local companies working for the enemy and contractors."

The Taliban specifically signaled out members of the Afghan High Peace Council as a primary target of attacks as the council seeks to promote reconciliation and blunt the terror group's ability to fight against the Afghan government and Coalition forces.

"Since members of the American espionage agencies, government officials of the Puppet Administration and enemies of the Afghan people and Jihad have ensconced themselves in the so-called Peace Council and are trying to pave the way for the prolongation of the American occupation by cashing in on the name of Jihad, religion and tribal chieftainship; wants to prevent Mujahideen from waging Jihad against the invaders and are urging the Afghan Mujahid people to accept American slavery and surrender, therefore, members of the Council can be target of the Mujahideen attacks during the operations as, in view of their role, they are considered official members of the ranks of the enemy," the Taliban statement read.

The Taliban offensive would focus on "military centers, places of gatherings, airbases, ammunition and logistical military convoys of the foreign invaders in all parts of the country." The Taliban said that their tactics would include "group and martyrdom seeking attacks," or suicide attacks and assaults; "group offensives," or massed assaults; "city attacks," ambushes, and IED attacks.

The Taliban also said that "strict attention must be paid to the protection and safety of civilians during the spring operations by working out a meticulous military plan."

However, during past and present operations, the Taliban have been responsible for the vast majority of civilian deaths in Afghanistan. According to statistics compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan last summer, the Taliban are responsible for 76 percent of the civilian deaths, while Coalition and Afghan forces are responsible for just 12 percent of the civilian deaths.

While publicly the Taliban have claimed they seek to limit civilian casualties, a secretive directive issued by Mullah Omar last year shows the Taliban have no qualms about attacking civilians, including women, who cooperate with the Afghan government or Coalition forces.

The announcement of the beginning of operation Badar takes place just one day after senior, unnamed NATO military officials briefed reporters that the Taliban will launch a major offensive at the end of this month.

"We're tracking credible intelligence that senior Taliban leaders, backed by the Haqqani network, plan to conduct attacks throughout Afghanistan from the end of April," one official said, according to Reuters. "They're attempting to regain momentum after the progress by the coalition over the last year."

Also yesterday, the US Department of Defense released its biannual report on the status of the war in Afghanistan. In the report, the military said the Taliban's momentum has been blunted by intensive conventional and special operations offensives. But the Taliban will seek to reverse their losses, particularly in the southern provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, and Uruzgan, where the Taliban have lost their traditional base of power.

Video: Planting a Taliban IED Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

Video: The Syrian Massacre Aftermath (EXTREMELY Graphic)

Editor's Note

Taking the rest of the day off for some badly needed R&R. Regular blogging will return later tonight.

Illuminati Kingpins: William & Kate

Isn't it true, though?

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Afghanistan laden ladenfam -- April 30, 2011

PANJWA'I PATROL - U.S. Special Operations service members and Afghan National Army commandos patrol a village during a clearing operation in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel P. Shook

Afghanistan: Taliban Announce Spring Offensive -- BBC

The Taliban have announced the start of a spring offensive across Afghanistan.

In a statement, the group said the fighting would start on Sunday, targeting foreign troops as well as Afghan security forces and officials.

It warned civilians to stay away from public gatherings, military bases, government buildings and convoys.

Meanwhile initial findings from a Nato inquiry into a deadly attack at Kabul airport on Wednesday suggest the gunman was not connected to the Taliban.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Taliban announce beginning of spring offensive -- Yahoo News/AP
Taliban warns of spring offensive -- L.A Times
Taliban declares 'spring offensive' -- Al Jazeera
Taliban announce spring offensive in Afghanistan -- Vancouver Sun/AFP
Afghan Taliban declare start to spring offensive -- Reuters
NATO dismisses Taliban offensive as propaganda -- AP

Taliban 'great escape' tunnel had spotlights -- AFP
The Taliban jailbreak story has far too many holes -- Belfast Telegraph
Afghan warden, officials held in Taliban escape -- SFGate
Arrests made in Afghan jailbreak -- CNN

Afghanistan War Report Cites Progress by Troops -- New York Times
Report Touts Progress in Afghanistan War -- Military.com/AP
Pentagon report sees 'fragile' gains in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Pentagon reports ‘tangible progress’ in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Report says Afghan war showing progress -- Washington Times
Taliban Routed from Key Afghan Strongholds, Says Pentagon -- Voice of America
Pentagon's rosy report of Afghanistan war raises questions -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghan War Progress At Risk From Corruption, Training Lags -- Bloomberg

Kabul AF Deaths Worst Since Khobar Towers -- Military.com
NATO says 8 U.S. troops were armed when Afghan pilot killed them -- L.A. Times
Remembering the victims of Kabul airport shooting -- Stars And Stripes

Will the Afghan army ever stand up and fight? -- Michael F. Walker, Washington Post
Obama’s Russian lessons: How the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan -- Artemy Kalinovsky, Washington Post

Globalists Plan to Starve Libyan People to Death

Kurt Nimmo
Infowars.com
April 29, 2011

Libya will soon suffer the fate of Iraq. According to the World Food Program, a United Nations outfit, the north African country will soon experience a food crisis. In a statement, the organization said the engineered armed conflict in the country is seriously undermining the supply and distribution of perishable goods.

(YouTube link)

In 2003, the same thing happened in Iraq after the United States invaded to save the world from WMDs that did not exist, that were invented by a cabal of neocons ensconced in the Pentagon.

On March 20, 2003, the BBC reported that the country faced “the largest and most costly humanitarian crisis in history” following the U.S. invasion and the collapse of the oil-for-food program and the departure of U.N. personnel. (Read more)

World News Briefs -- April 30, 2011

Royal Wedding Honeymoon: William And Kate Leave For Honeymoon By Helicopter -- The Telegraph

Married life began for newlyweds William and Kate today when they left London for a mystery destination.

Prince William and his new wife Kate Middleton left Buckingham Palace by helicopter this morning.

It is expected that they will first travel to one of the royal residences in Scotland, possibly Balmoral, where both the Queen and the Prince of Wales have private homes they could use.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian forces kill 62, U.S. tightens sanctions. U.S. imposes sanctions on Syria’s intelligence service, security officials. Syria to bury dead as activists vow more protests.

Saleh 'to sign' Yemen deal amid unrest.

Iran's president asked to show obedience to leader.

Israeli official: We are troubled by developments in Egypt.

Half of Israelis back recognition of Palestinian state.

ASIA

Criticism up on Japan PM's handling of nuke crisis.

US 'not withholding food aid from North Korea'.

Thai, Cambodian troops break cease-fire. 45,200 Cambodian evacuees flee home due to clashes with Thailand.

India, Pakistan agree to enhance trade.

AFRICA

Libya regime offers Misrata rebels amnesty. Muammar Gaddafi calls for ceasefire in Libyan TV address. Libya's Gaddafi calls for negotiation with NATO. Libyan fighting spills into Tunisia.

Political unrest turns bloody in Uganda. Uganda unrest gathers pace despite bloody government crackdown.

Vote in tense central Sudan could shape fates of 2 nations.

Nigerian opposition parties make gains in State houses.

EUROPE

Magical wedding for a Royal bride... and even the vergers were doing cartwheels in the aisle.

Putin fires Russia space chief after mishaps.

Pilgrims crowd into Rome for John Paul II ceremony.

Greek and Spanish economies falter ahead of expected rise in interest rates.

AMERICAS

Twister outbreak is second deadliest in US history. Death toll from US tornadoes rises to 350.

Mexico extradites drug kingpin to the U.S.

Mexican military rescues 52 hostages in border city.

Senator cites threat to U.S. food supply.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

British man killed in Marrakesh cafe bombing now blamed on Al Qaeda.

Army chiefs from four Sahel countries meet on Qaeda fight.

Al Qaeda suspects to appear in German court. Arrested al-Qaeda suspects allegedly plotting attack in Germany.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. Treasury: China has decreased its holdings of U.S. debt.

EU hits banks with credit default swap probe.

Microsoft profit falls below Apple’s after IPad eats into Windows revenue.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 30, 2011

The U.K. Pays The Cost For Carrier Aviation -- DoD Buzz

The Royal Navy’s pending class of two aircraft carriers, the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, could end up costing more than double what government officials initially projected, according to a BBC report today. It underscores how big a deal it was for the U.K. to decide to buy F-35C Lightning IIs, as opposed to the delayed B version. When the Brits shifted to the Cs last fall, it was read in Washington as just another blow against the B, but many Americans may not have realized the consequences it would also have in today’s Austerity Britain. The Royal Navy now needs to redesign one or both carriers to accommodate the conventional C models, and that could raise the cost of the ships from £5.2 billion — or about $8.7 billion — to £7 billion, or about $11.7 billion.

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Libyan Rebels Already Talking to Defense Contractors -- Defense Tech

Europe's Defense Funding: An Inconvenient Truth -- Ares/Aviation Week

New Satellite Image of Construction at North Korea Nuclear Site -- ISIS

India Rejects Russia's Fighter Jet Bid: Official -- Defense News

Saab Targets Smaller Gripen Orders After Losing Bid for India -- Bloomberg

Indonesian Carrier Killer Comes Out Of Hiding -- Strategy Page

Israel urged to buy U.S. rocket defenses -- Space Daily

How far can upgraded F-15s take us againsts large threats? -- ELP Defens(c)e Blog

Second Sub in 2011 Ordered By U.S. Navy -- Defense News

Can the U.S. Army Fix Its Broken Acquisition System? -- Defpro

Fire Scout Scoring High Praise -- Information Dissemination

Atlas Air Worldwide Announces Expansion Into Military Passenger Charter Service -- Business Wire

Military: Troop ailments, from backs to breathing, swell -- USA Today

Combat Stress as 'Moral Injury' Offends Marines -- Military.com

Defense Department’s Vickers is a national security star — again -- Washington Post

Vietnam-era Green Beret finally returns home -- Tampa Bay/AP

Our Elite Schools Have Abandoned Military History -- Peter Berkowitz, Wall Street Journal (a commentary)

TOTALITARIANISM IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO REPLACE DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA

Governor Snyder

Now the Governor can actually appoint an administrator who will have unlimited powers.

It has already started in Michigan where they now have a new amazingly undemocratic ruse where if a municipality is in financial trouble then the Governor can send in “an administrator” who will oversee everything and have unlimited power. Gone will be the mayor, the city manager, all the councilmen and it is a black eye on democracy.

The appointed administrator can be any person the Governor chooses to appoint, or can be a corporation. That’s right, the Governor can simply fire an elected official and appoint any corporation he chooses to take over control. Once appointed the administrator has the power to do anything they need in the name of economic stability. This means an appointed corporation can void collective bargaining agreements, void contracts, dissolve school boards, town councils, and even unincorporate the town.

Even more worrysome is the fact that residents get absolutely no say any any of these decisions.

And it just begun in Benton Harbor.

“Gov. Snyder's plan is the same kind of flagrantly undemocratic "emergency rule" used by military dictators to oppose any semblance of democratic opposition to their policies. While no one expects Gov. Snyder will be rounding up dissidents any time soon, the fight in Michigan is NOT about unions; the governor is attempting to wrest from the hands of every citizen of the state of Michigan, the right to determine who governs at the consent of the governed.

His plan declares an immediate end (with no projected restoration) to the founding principle of our democracy: that public officials may govern ONLY at the consent of the governed.

There is no moral, philosophical, legal or practical justification for Gov. Snyder's claim that a "budget emergency" gives him the right or the power to order the suspension of electoral democracy in his state. Those who support his radical agenda will argue that this is not what they intend, that they are merely trying to be "expedient". This is always the argument of statist profiteers who seek to centralize power; this was the argument of Italy's fascists.

The process which allows the people to govern their government is absolutely sacrosanct in our democracy. There is no way for us to be the free society we claim to be, if that process does not remain sacrosanct. The budgetary discomfort and long, difficult days of work that some public officials might face given budgetary discomfort, are absolutely not a justification for eliminating the democratic process or establishing unilateral executive rule.” - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/08/954169/-Michigan-Governor-Seeks-Emergency-Powers

KEEP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS AMERICA…YOU ARE VOTING FOR TOTALITARIANISM!

What Are Soldiers Reading

Canon Fodder -- Rolf Potts, The New Yorker

When allegations surfaced that details in Greg Mortenson’s memoir “Three Cups of Tea” had been fabricated, some reports noted that the book, a best-seller about doing good works in Central Asia, is “required reading” for U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. These reports were referring to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center’s Pre-Deployment Afghanistan Reading List, which (in addition to cultural field guides and counter-insurgency manuals) recommends novels such as Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” and George MacDonald Fraser’s “Flashman.”

Read more ....

My Comment: If I had a choice, I would read "Starship Troopers" .... but that is just me.

Prince William And Kate Middleton Wedding Kiss

Prince William And Kate Middleton Wedding Kiss ...

In 2011 the hottest and beautiful couple Prince William And Kate Middleton wedding scenes are so romantic. Everyone loves those moments. Prince William and Kate Middleton kiss twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding service in Westminster Abbey.


Here is the video:

Asia Will Be Heart of U.S. Security Policy

Michele Flournoy, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Photo from Charlie Rose

Engagement, Partnerships Must Guide U.S. Asia Policy -- Defense News

The United States must find new ways to engage China and India, two major stakeholders in Asian security, and build partnership capability with countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam as the continent continues to transform, according to a senior U.S. Defense Department official.

Speaking at an event in Arlington, Va., April 28, Michèle Flournoy, U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, said Asia "sits at the crossroads of a number of emerging threats," including cybersecurity, its role in the global supply chain, climate change and terrorism.

Read more ....

Update: Flournoy: Asia Will be Heart of U.S. Security Policy -- U.S. Department of Defense

My Comment: She has the ear of the President, so what she says has to be listened to very carefully. As to what is my opinion, the 21rts century will be Asia's .... and probably beyond.

What's In A Name?

PLAN navy carrier Shi Lang ( ex Soviet Varyag )

China's New Aircraft Carrier: A Menacing Name? -- Global Post

History speaks loudly in Asia. Heads up, Taiwan!

BOSTON — The Chinese military is putting the finishing touches on its first aircraft carrier, which could set sail later in 2011.

What will its first mission be? Officials aren't saying. But its neighbors worry that the vessel’s putative name may provide a not-so-subtle hint.

The ship is rumored to be called the Shi Lang, after a Qing Dynasty admiral who in 1681 conquered the Kingdom of Tungning — a territory better known today as Taiwan.

Read more ....

My Comment: In China .... there are no coincidences. The name will be chosen to make a message, and being China's first aircraft carrier, that name will be deliberately chosen to make a worldwide message.

Picture Of The Day

LOADING UP - U.S. Special Forces team members with Special Operations Task Force South board two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters following a clearing operation in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 25. 2011. The operation, led by Afghan commandos resulted in the removal of Taliban propaganda material and three suspected insurgents detained. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel P. Shook

How Mortars Are Made

Hat Tip: Defense Tech

What Will Be The Impact Of Having General Petraeus At The CIA

Petraeus To The CIA: Surge Superintendent To Spearhead Spooks -- The Economist

BIG personnel changes are afoot for President Obama's national-security lineup. Leon Panetta, currently director of the CIA, will move into the cabinet seat about to be vacated by Robert Gates, the secretary of defence. Meanwhile Mr Panetta's plum CIA gig will go to General David Petraeus, currently America's head honcho in Afghanistan. Mr Obama's decision to make George Bush's favourite general the CIA's new helmsman brings home the remarkable, and to many of us the deeply disappointing, continuity between the Bush and Obama's adminstrations' approaches to national security and war. Installing the architect of the Iraq surge in Langley raises several worries. As Glenn Greenwald observes:

One reason why it's so valuable to keep the CIA under civilian control is because its independent intelligence analyst teams often serve as one of the very few capable bureaucratic checks against the Pentagon and its natural drive for war.


Read more ....

More News On General Petraeus Being Appointed To Run the CIA

CIA's new boss once a customer of its spy efforts -- AP
Petraeus may shake up CIA: 'He doesn't suffer fools' -- MSNBC/AP
Petraeus Makes Quick Trip to Washington -- Wall Street Journal
For Petraeus, first impressions at CIA will be critical -- Washington Post
New CIA chief David Petraeus' possible new critic: himself -- L.A. Times
Gen. Petraeus to move from Afghanistan war command to CIA, step onto political stage -- Canadian Press
Bringing Petraeus to C.I.A. Offers Benefits for Obama -- The Caucus/New York Times
In Petraeus, a CIA pick with political heft -- Reuters
Petraeus' war legacy befits his future post at CIA -- USA Today
Analysis: Petraeus' CIA move raises awkward questions -- Reuters
Could Petraeus be too shiny for the CIA? -- Reuters
Petraeus to the CIA: good news for Barack Obama, bad news for America -- Peter Oborne, The Telegraph

Fallen USMC Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers Returns Home To Brandon MS.

From Small Wars Journal:

Staff Sergeant Jason Rogers, USMC, returned home Thursday, 14 April 2011, his body borne upon a sea of waving American flags and hands held tightly in salute for the Brandon, MS Marine killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.

The video is MHP Trooper Elmo Townsend's view as his dash cam recorded the escort from Airport Road and along U.S. 80, as hundreds of onlookers gathered to pay their respects.

Russia Outlines Its Vision Of Missile Defense

ABM. Photo: RIA Novosti

Russia Outlines Its Vision Of European Missile Shield -- RIA Novosti

Commander of Russian Space Forces Lt. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko outlined on Friday Russia's proposals for the future Eurhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifopean missile defense network.

Russia and NATO agreed to cooperate on the so-called Euro missile shield during the Russia-NATO Council summit in Lisbon in November 2010. NATO insists there should be two independent systems that exchange information, while Russia favors a joint system with full-scale interoperability.

Read more ....

More News On Russia's Views On European Missile Defense

Russia ready to unfold anti-missile umbrella over eastern Europe -- Xinhuanet
Russian ABM shield ready to cover Eastern Europe -- Voice of Russia
Russia, U.S. to hold intensive consultations on European missile defense in Brussels -- Kyiv Post

If Losing, Would Gaddafi Use WMDs?

The question of arming the rebellion in Libya has divided the international community Photo: REUTERS

Col Gaddafi Still Has Quarter Of Chemical Weapons Stockpile -- The Telegraph

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi still has a quarter of his stockpile of chemical weapons and is ready to use mustard gas in a "desperate" fight to the death, a senior Libyan rebel military commander claimed yesterday.

General Abdul Fatah Younis, who was Col Gaddafi's interior minister before defecting to the opposition and is now the rebel army's chief of staff, gave the warning as he pleaded for Nato allies to arm the rebels with heavy weapons, including helicopters and anti-tank missiles, to defend the besieged city of Misurata.

He predicted the Libyan dictator would "never accept retreat" and would be ready to use chemical weapons in a last stand against rebels or the civilian population.

Read more ....

My Comment: A part of me tells me that while he would be prepared to use WMDs, his sons would veto him. Wishful thinking on my part .... I hope not.

Border Clashes Continue Between Thailand And Cambodia

Thai army tanks travel on a road near the Thai-Cambodia border in Surin province April 28, 2011. (Sukree Sukplang/Courtesy Reuters)

Thai-Cambodia Ceasefire Breaks Down -- Al Jazeera

Border skirmishes continue for an eighth day as both sides accuse the other of breaking a short-lived truce.

A brief ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has broken down, shattering hopes for a quick end to the border conflict as the two sides exchanged fire for an eighth day.

Field commanders agreed to the truce in a meeting at the disputed border on Thursday. But Cambodian Colonel Suos Sothea said the Thai army fired artillery shells into Cambodia again on Friday and small arms fire crackled anew around the Ta Krabey temple, which lies in a disputed zone along the frontier.

"We cannot trust the Thais," he said. "Yesterday they said they'd stop fighting and now they are attacking us again."

The death toll since the clashes has risen to 16.

Read more ....

More News On The Border Clashes Between Thailand And Cambodia

Thai-Cambodia clashes resume despite truce -- BBC
Thai-Cambodia border clashes resume -- UPI
Soldier and civilian killed in fresh fighting -- Asia One
Thai soldier dies as ceasefire with Cambodia breached -- Reuters
Cambodia Seeks Court Ruling on Dispute With Thailand -- Voice of America
Thai-Cambodian border dispute heads to Hague as commanders meet again -- Christian Science Monitor
Domestic issues fuel Thai-Cambodian spats -- Asia Times
Can Thailand and Cambodia Step Back from the Brink? -- Joshua Kurlantzick, Council On Foreign Relations
Thailand and Cambodia: The Endgame? -- Joshua Kurlantzick, Council On Foreign Relations
Thailand and Cambodia clash: The guns that won’t fall silent -- The Economist

Christian Psychics Predict New Madrid Fault

A few years ago, I began to hear about the possibility of the New Madrid Fault system. The fault system was responsible for the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes, and may have the potential to produce large earthquakes in the near future. The prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation, such as Joyner and Bentley, were the first to warn their followers about the earth potentially shifting. Almost weekly, Rick Joyner has begun releasing video warnings about Los Angeles and the New Madrid Fault lines, and asking people to prepare.

Jim Bakker, who was a televangelist and a former host of The PTL Club, got caught in a sex scandal and accounting fraud. Bakker has a close association with Rick Joyner, since he helped restore Bakker back into ministry after he was released from jail.[1] Another tie is that they are both members of the Knights of Malta, a religious order of the Roman Catholic church and a branch of Freemasonry.

Does this seem far fetched? Perhaps not. According to David Stewart, while in jail, Bakker, a former minister of the Assemblies of God, went to a Catholic priest to confess his sins.[2] Another dirty little secret is that there is a long list of Charismatics who are Freemasons, such as Pat Robertson, Tim LaHaye, Oral Roberts, just to mention a few.[3]

In the video below, I'd like to point out a few points that don't seem right.

• Jim is wearing a NOW cap. NOW is the acronym for National Organization of Women. It is the largest feminist organization in the United States.
• He mentions that there is going to be a major shaking in the Church. If he knows about the New Madrid Fault and the shaking in the Church, it makes you wonder what else he knows. Perhaps his connection to the Knights of Malta makes him privy to the information.
• Bakker is trying to make a buck from his survival food, along with asking for a $500 love gift. It makes you wonder if he was repentant.
• According to texnews.com: One day he's in his new home in Los Angeles, showing off the sprawling inner-city ministry where he lives in a dorm room with his son, Jamie, 22. The next he's back in Charlotte, N.C., his old hometown, predicting the end of the world in a rambling sermon in a nondescript office park.

(YouTube link) (Part 2)

I don't doubt that someday soon we will have a major earthquake in our country. I don't doubt that we are living in the last days. But the thing that makes me suspicious is that these false prophets are publicizing their prophetic outlook so that we will follow them when they are right. They've got a plan, and they aren't telling us what it is.

While street theatre performers were learning all about Britain's new pre-crime laws, Australia's next king, William, was getting married. When the prince and his wife appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the crowds chanted for a kiss. They got this, t00 :


(via @Neil_LFC)

Meanwhile, down under, The Chaser sketch comedy team had their planned live commentary broadcast of the 2011 Royal Wedding cancelled after intervention by the London office of Prince William and his father Prince Charles.

Go Here For The Full Story

Death Of An African Warlord

Coulibaly had refused to surrender when government troops seized the Abobo neighbourhood on Wednesday [AFP]

Ibrahim Coulibaly: Ivory Coast's Serial Coup-Plotter -- BBC

The death of one of Ivory Coast's most charismatic commanders and serial coup-plotters, Ibrahim Coulibaly, eliminates one of the main threats to the new government.

But the offensive against Mr Coulibaly, nicknamed "IB" and recently self-promoted to a general, has shocked many who credit him with playing a key role in bringing the new President, Alassane Ouattara, to power.

The Ivorian ministry of defence has confirmed his death, along with six fellow fighters, after an offensive against his headquarters in the PK-18 district on the northern edge of Abidjan.

Read more ....

More News On The Death Of Ivorian Warlord Ibrahim Coulibaly

Ivorian warlord's death: suicide or assassination? -- Yahoo News/AP
Ivory Coast Troops Kill Powerful Warlord -- Wall Street Journal
Ivorian warlord 'beaten, then shot' -- Press Association
Pro-Ouattara militia leader killed by president's forces -- CNN
Ivory Coast insurgent militia leader killed -- Reuters
Ivory Coast militia leader killed -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast militia leader Coulibaly killed: spokesman -- Sydney Morning Herald

Beyond the stereotype: Egyptian women herded like cattle at protest - Photo

Egyptian women march in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 29, 2011
Waco Sister Act!

'The Hindu' article where Muslim woman tries to explain her freedom within the confines of Islam - some quotes:

But what Muslim women should understand ~ is that they were born free ~ and what Muhammad believed has no baring on that ~ they just have to realize it!! Here Islam is irrelevant. That their freedom is not dependent on Islam. 

They want society as a whole to see what Muslim women can do if people will only set the stereotypes aside. "There's a perception that Muslim woman are sitting at home, not doing anything" says Khan, “but that's not the case at all.”

“It's quite patronising. I am a British Muslim woman, and I have never had any problem with my identity,” says Sara Khan, who set up Inspire two years ago because she felt there was no organisation helping Muslim women to achieve their potential. “To say Muslim women are oppressed or don't contribute is just so patronising — no community wants to be stereotyped.”

Read all .....

Bryan Fischer: Muslims Can Either Convert or Die

Bryan Fischer is the Director of Issue Analysis for Government and Public Policy at the American Family Association, where he provides his opinion to a range of public policy topics. American Family Radio is a division of the American Family Association, so they use their broadcasting facility to get their Reconstructionist message out far and wide.

Christian Recontructionism is a movement of politically-active Christians who seek influence over secular civil government through political action — aiming either at a nation governed by Christians or a nation governed by a Christian understanding of biblical law. The most prominent of those who believe in Dominion theology is Christian Reconstructionism.

They broadcast across the country, and they have the ability to influence Christians of all denominations.
In a recent broadcast, Bryan Fischer was able to show his true Dominionist colors. You will see that he has a lack of understanding of what is occurring in Libya, and a terrible notion of how to bring freedom to their country. Convert or die? Does anyone see anything wrong with this statement, or am I just being overly critical.


(YouTube link)

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- April 29, 2011

Anti-government protests have spread across Syria despite weeks of government repression [Reuters]

How America Must Respond to the Massacre in Syria -- Marco Rubio, Foreign Policy

It’s time for President Obama to back up his rhetoric with firm action. The first step: Recall the U.S. ambassador from Damascus.

In recent days, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has used its army to murder hundreds of innocent civilians as part of a vicious campaign of violence against unarmed Syrian demonstrators. What we are witnessing in Syria is another tragic outrage in the Middle East that requires immediate condemnation backed by specific measures from the United States and the international community. U.S. President Barack Obama needs to make clear whose side America is on, back up our rhetoric with action, and clearly articulate why Syria matters to the United States.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

President Assad’s Crackdown -- New York Times editorial

Syria's instability is its best defence against interference -- Alan Philps, The National

Could the Assad regime fall apart? -- The Economist

Welcome to Hezbollahland: An Interview With Michael J. Totten -- Kevin Sullivan, Real Clear World

Fatah and Hamas: Tectonic plates start to shift -- Guardian editorial

China wants to change the conversation. Let’s not. -- William J. Dobson, Washington Post

Beijing's troubling South China Sea policy -- Michael Richardson, Japan Times

A more interventionist ASEAN is needed -- Awidya Santikajaya, Jakarta Post

Time to wise up on North Korea -- Donald Kirk, Asia Times

Obama’s flawed approach to fighting terrorism -- Jeff Sessions, Washington Post

A new national security team -- Washington Post editorial

Debt limit danger delayed till September? -- Conn Carroll, Washington Examiner

A world without oil -- Steve Hallett and John Wright, Cleveland.com