December 02, 2006
H&I* Fires, 02 Dec 2006
Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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Well, for some today is a day of unbridled optimism. Me, I think it's a day of forlorn hope.
I'm not a grad, but I suppose, in an unfortunate turn of phrase, I'm sorta obligated to go down with the ship...
Update. Sigh. I *hate* swimming.
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Heh. I post pictures of ships - CDR Salamander posts pictures of howitzers, pansterhouwitsers...
Congratulations Chuck! When's the promo party and are you paying airfare now that you're a stinking rich field grade? H/t, Fuzzybear!
On the "Mistreated Coffin" story (which I have evinced some scepticism about) Chuck Simmins has more. All of which reinforces my scepticism. Well, actually, confirms it. [/smug look]
Jules notes some, um, interesting rulez for the Taliban.
Otay - I gotta go mail some cluebats! -the Armorer
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In an effort to help the In-Laws once again I'm shamelessly advertising something that may and or may not appeal to your history loving hearts
North Collins, New York in the Civil War
My mother in law is the Town Historian and is hosting the event for the Town Museum. Featured will be many period items, letters, and local history as well as a visit from the Columbia Rifles...which was founded by my Brother in Law.
Detecting a theme here yet? :)
With the holidays upcoming they're giving away autographed copies of his published story Christmas in the Irish Regiments
So for you lower Canada, Northeast America and New York readers, or frequent Civil War buffs, there's plenty to see and do. Wish I could be there this year.
-BloodSpite
Trackbacks still aren't working, so I thought I'd put this here: it's a tough decision. - FbL
A reader-submitted Whatzis!
SezaGeoff, from Down Under, sends us this, and asks us, "Whatzis?"
It's out there. Geoff provided a URL, too.
Good luck!
Andi sends for Carrie: Operation Santa
Seriously wounded Soldiers arriving at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are loaded aboard an ambulance bus and escorted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center by members of LRMC’s Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center. Photo by Heike Hasenauer March 20, 2006
First Andi:
Christmas For Our Wounded Heroes Last Christmas my husband was deployed, so I decided to spend Christmas Day at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I left the hospital more blessed than when I had entered.The father of one of our wounded troops told me that he saw exactly what he wanted to see on Christmas Day in Ward 57 -- the ward where many of our most critically wounded reside -- people arriving with their arms loaded with goodies for our troops. The wife of one of the soldiers told me that it didn't matter that they were spending their Christmas in a hospital, "our family is together".
Many milbloggers are familiar with Carrie Costantini, the wife of a Marine and a frequent commenter on milblog sites. I had the incredible pleasure of meeting Carrie over breakfast last week. Carrie and Deb worked on Operation Santa last year. This year, Carrie had the brilliant idea to expand the project out to include wounded troops at Walter Reed and Bethesda.
From Carrie:
Christmas.
Just typing the word brings back memories of happiness, of warm cookies, of trees decorated with colored lights and glass ornaments, of grandmom's Chanel No. 5 scented hugs, and of festively wrapped presents. My favorite part of Christmas was seeing what Santa had put in my stocking.Hospital.
That word also brings memories. Memories of rubbing alcohol, bright lights, kind nurses and especially, of missing home. I was born without hip joints and spent quite a bit of my earliest years at Walter Reed. I can remember being in the cast room there alongside wounded soldiers from Vietnam. (Yes, I'm that old).I'm sure you're all wondering why I am writing about two words that seem mutually exclusive. They're not, at least not to the wounded Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen who will be at Walter Reed and Bethesda this Christmas. There will be servicemembers in those hospitals on Dec. 25th. That is a sad truth.
I know that they'd rather be back with their units in Iraq or Afghanistan AND at home with their loved ones but they can't be either place. They must be there to heal.
I am pleased to announce the newest Operation Santa venture: Operation Santa/Bethesda and Walter Reed. It will work mostly the same was as the other Operation Santas. We want to bring them a stuffed stocking and a little bit of home. Candy canes, cookies, crackers, ornaments, cards, books, dvds, cd's, batteries, new socks.
You can help us do this. You can send some Christmas cheer to a wounded servicemember at Bethesda or Walter Reed. You can donate money, you can donate gift cards from Sam's, Walmart, Target, etc. You can donate material goods. You can make a difference in a servicemember's holiday away from home.
The question is: Will you do it?
If you have any questions or comments, please email me or Andi.
We're looking to stuff and deliver hundreds of stockings to our wounded troops. Any donation, no matter how small, will help.
We have a modest goal of only $3,000. I think, with your help, we can raise that in no time at all
You can make a tax-deductible donation here (use the pink Operation Santa button). Please be sure to note that your donation is for Operation Santa/Bethesda and Walter Reed, otherwise your donation will go to the general fund for Operation Santa.
Donations by mail can be sent to:
Marine Corps Family Foundation
Operation Santa - Bethesda & Walter Reed
4000 Lancaster Drive- Suite 57 Salem, OR 97309Thanks in advance for your help. It's hard to describe the joy these troops feel when strangers work to ensure that their Christmas is as good as it can possibly be.
Now me: If one tenth of our average visitor count donates $5, a pittance for most of us, that's $850, 1/4 of the goal, from this website alone. $5. Make me proud, eh?
To get you started:
Marine Corps Family Foundation Receipt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ship To: John Donovan XXXXXXXXXXXX Leavenworth, KS 66048 United States Seller Information: Marine Corps Family Foundation riecke-at-marinecorpsmoms.comTransaction ID: 1SM555XXXXXXXXXXX Placed on Dec. 2, 2006
Payment For Quantity Price
Marine Corps Family Foundation 1 $25.00 USD
Subtotal: $25.00 USD
Shipping & Handling: $0.00 USD
Sales Tax: $0.00 USD
Total Amount: $25.00 USD
For a certain member of the readership whom I know is in a financial pinch at the moment - that last $5 is me covering your instincts, 'k?
A pittance, people.
That is all.
Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, enjoys a visit with wounded warrior Staff Sgt. Nathan Reed July 13 shortly after having hip replacement surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center. Photo by Nelia Schrum July 20, 2006
December 01, 2006
H&I* Fires, 01 Dec 2006
Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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Psiphon. A way for people who live in countries whose gov'ts censor the net to fight The Law and not have The Law win. Schweet. And it's from The Great White North to boot---take notes google. I knew there had to be a reason I like those Crazy People Up There.;)
(ht to the boys on the FYEO mailing list)
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The Wife is a fairly serious gamer, not otaku level, but serious enough to buy subscriptions to magazines and buy a title every month. So I was really surprised to see a pre-view of something. It being a game I'll take a pass on.
Rogue Warrior. I'm glad Dick Marcinko is making money and all (old Warriors still have ambitions and need to eat you know), but I wonder what those who went thru BUD/S think of this? Froggy? You got anything to say? Anyone else?
Game just is not for gollum (even if the game's tremendous fun.).
ry
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Jules - That's Ghillie Suit, not Girly Suit.
If the deliverable I'm working on will allow it - I'll take some time today and sit in on this:
Mr. Josh Rushing will be speaking to Information Operations (IO) elective on 1 December. He will do an FDP4 that should be of great interest to the faculty because he is a former US Marine Captain and a PAO Spokesman for CENTCOM at CENTCOM FWD HQ in Doha, Qatar at the start of OIF. Now, he is a correspondent and military analyst for Al-Jazeera International. Info about Mr. Rushing is available at his website http://joshrushing.com/
I hope I can make it. If you're on Fort Leavenworth, and interested in the when and where, drop me a note via your .mil address and I'll forward the location data. -the Armorer
Update. I made it. Fascinating. I'll write it up over the weekend.
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Calling all warriors! The subject is: Silly String.
No, we're not talking about the last line of defense for Army against Navy tomorrow (methinks it's going to be a slaughter, ever-so-glad I went to a Land Grant college and beat up on Army in football once, myself).
Rather - Laurie of Soldier's Angels New York wants to know if she should be gathering up silly string to send to the sandboxes for booby-trap detection duty.
She's really concerned, as a victim of silly string herself - if the utility of it will outweigh the Hearts and Minds aspect. -the Armorer
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In Re: Senator-Elect Webb: Peggy Noonan's take. She agrees with me the President was artless in his response. She's gentler on Webb than I, however. Nice to see I'm firmly in the mushy muddle of this one... My lack of stridency may cost me visitors, but this is a calmer place as a result. -the Armorer
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If you were placing a wager on tomorrow's Army-Navy game....what would you consider a cool prize from someone from Boston? I have been challenged with a unique wager. However, being a woman of no talent I have nothing cool to put up in return......Maggie
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The new exam for gaining citizenship.
Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization ExamOn November 30, 2006, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Emilio Gonzalez announced the release of 144 questions and answers for the pilot test of a new naturalization exam. USCIS will administer the pilot exam to about 5,000 volunteer citizenship applicants in 10 cities beginning in early 2007.
USCIS included new questions that focus on the concepts of democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. In designing the new exam, USCIS received assistance and worked with test development contractors, U.S. history and government scholars, and English as a Second Language experts. USCIS also sought input from a variety of stakeholders, including immigrant advocacy groups, citizenship instructors and District Adjudications Officers.
The pilot will allow USCIS to work out any problems and refine the exam before it is fully implemented nationwide in the spring of 2008.
During the trial period, volunteer applicants who choose to take the pilot exam can immediately take the current exam if they incorrectly answer a pilot question. To pass, applicants will have to correctly answer six of 10 selected questions. The 10 pilot test sites are: Albany, NY; Boston, MA; Charleston, SC; Denver, CO; El Paso, TX; Kansas City, MO; Miami, FL; San Antonio, TX; Tucson, AZ; and Yakima, WA.
You can read the questions - and answers - here.
When I saw this yesterday, I wondered how long before someone griped that it's too hard.
Heh. Not long.
The WaPo:
The Bush administration yesterday unveiled dozens of new questions that may be added to the nation's naturalization test, and immigration advocates are concerned that the changes could make it more difficult for millions of legal immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
Fred Tsao, quoted in the article says:
Watchdog groups such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights say they are examining the process to make sure the immigration agency is not placing a heavier burden on people who use legal channels to enter the country."We ourselves are going to be trying this out in our citizenship classes," said Fred Tsao, policy director for the Illinois group. Teachers will be encouraged "to see which of these questions make sense, which are too hard and which of them are off the wall."
Note, prospective citizens will have to get 6 of 10 questions, selected from the 144, in order to pass. They have to get a "D".
Mind you, some of the questions do seem to be a little arbitrary in terms of their applicability to the process, such as "Which mountain is the highest mountain in the United States?" Interesting, but, important? I have to admit, depending on how the 10 questions are selected, you could find yourself foundering on geography, but it *is* a test you can study for.
I wonder, if we administered it to every graduating High School senior, how many would pass? Which begs the question about how people value their birthright, vice something they obtain through effort.
Regardless of what you think of the test - it's still an easier path to citizenship than this one... military service.
My score on the test? As a result of my socio-economic status, I scored 99.3%. I missed question 66. It's been a looooooooong time since I worried, in any personal sense, about the answer to that question. I'm betting my son will get that one right, as I would have at his age.
Oops. A chicken comes home to roost for the Coast Guard.
From the NYT's Eric Lipton:
After spending $100 million to renovate eight of its workhorse cutters, the Coast Guard will announce Thursday that it is suspending the use of the Florida-based patrol boats because of chronic hull cracking and engine problems.
And here's the message traffic on a subject you *don't* want to have been the Program Manager on...
ALCOAST 567/06
COMDTNOTE 4400
SUBJ: 123 WPB SUSPENDED OPERATIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 281630Z APR 06, NOTAL
1. CANCEL REF A.
2. DUE TO ONGOING ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THE 123 FOOT
WPB FLEET, I AM SUSPENDING OPERATIONS OF THESE EIGHT CUTTERS.
3. DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE CREWS AND THE SUPPORT COMMUNITY, THE CONTINUING DEFORMATION OF THE 123 HULLS WOULD REQUIRE EVEN MORE STRINGENT OPERATIONAL RESTRICTIONS TO SAFELY OPERATE THEM. THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE SUCH THAT 123 WPBS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PATROL IN SEAS ABOVE 5 FEET, MAKING THEM NO LONGER OPERATIONALLY EFFECTIVE.
4. I REALIZE THIS DECISION WILL POSE SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES TO MAKE UP THESE LOST PATROL BOAT HOURS. WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY WORKING ON BOTH LONG AND SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE THE COAST GUARD CAN MEET ITS MISSION REQUIREMENTS IN THE D7 AOR.
5. I WILL MEET WITH THE 123 WPB CREWS TODAY TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR VALIANT EFFORTS AND ASSURE THEM THAT THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING ARE MY TOP PRIORITIES. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL PROCESSES WILL BE PUT IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE SITUATIONS AND FACILITATE THEIR CONTINUED CAREER SUCCESS.
6. ACTION: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, SUSPEND ALL OPERATIONS OF THE 123 WPBS AND PLACE THEM IN CHARLIE STATUS. ATLANTIC AREA AND DISTRICT SEVEN PROCEED WITH PLANNING TO BEST UTILIZE THE 123 WPB CREWS IN SUPPORT OF CURRENT OPERATIONS. CG-3/4/8 AND G-D/A EXPLORE ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO CLOSE THE WPB PERFORMANCE GAP.
7. POC: CAPTAIN J. X. MONAGHAN, COMDT (CG-37RCU), (202)372-2321.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
9. ADM T. W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
BT
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I can see the finger-pointing already between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and their subcontractor, Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La, with everybody probably ending up pointing at the Coast Guard.
The problem? The cutters had extensive hull modifications and were equipped with upgraded electronics and a 13-foot extension to accomodate an automated rear-boat launching system. They have been a problem since they came out of the refit in 2004. The hulls developed cracks, especially when subjected to heavy seas. One can understand the concern about being in a ship whose job it is to rescue people in things like... heavy seas... being prone to developing leaks or potentially having the stern fall off (which might be overstatement on my part, admittedly). Efforts to strengthen and reinforce the hulls with steel strips and to limit their use in heavy seas did not prevent the cracks - not to mention kinda obviated their purpose.
More details from the Navy Times, if you've the interest!
H/t, Larry K, whose son is a Coastie.
A post for me.
Gun dogs doing what gun dogs like doing best... shooting!
A post for Bill.
March 31, 2005 A 1st Battalion (Attack), 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Kiowa helicopter flies a mission in northern Iraq. The unit’s combat flight hours are among the highest totals for any battalion since the Vietnam War. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.
A post for Dusty.
The A-10C.
A newly modified A-10C Thunderbolt II taxis in during the roll-out ceremony Nov. 29 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The A-10 has been modified with precision engagement technology to create the new and improved A-10C. The enhancements include full integration of sensors, multi-functional color displays and a new hands-on-throttle-and-stick interface. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alesia Goosic)
November 30, 2006
H&I* Fires, 30 Nov 2006
Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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Air Force Pilot Identified; Three Servicemembers Killed in Iraq American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2006 – Defense officials have identified the pilot of an Air Force F-16C that crashed outside Baghdad Nov. 27 as Maj. Troy L. Gilbert. Gilbert is assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Force Base, Iraq. He is officially listed as “duty status: whereabouts unknown.” An investigation is ongoing.
Moving on - it iced in Leavenworth last night, and we expect a few inches of snow today. And we're handling it just fine. My normal 7 minute commute last night took... 20. Bad Cat Robot lives in Seattle. Where they don't do ice and snow much. See here, and here (if you've time for only one, read the last one about avoiding the sand truck) for a taste of what it's like to be Naifs-in-Wonderland! -the Armorer
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Sergeant John G, Someone You Should Know - although he's really like just about everyone you know... Admittedly, since I don't watch CNN, I didn't. I get my news from... blogs. -the Armorer
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Snerk! An ACLU Nativity Scene... -the Armorer
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Two things that go together: Weddings and... Valour-IT?! - FbL
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I read about this in email this morning - I'm one of those who thinks there is something wrong with this story, though I'm not sure just what. Laurie of Soldier's Angel's New York has the story. (yeah, trackbacks still seem to be broken, sigh) -the Armorer
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In re the polite (well done, folks!) imbroglio in yesterday's H&I regarding President Bush and Senator-elect Webb's interaction - George Will weighs in.
...Jim Webb, Democratic senator-elect from Virginia, has become a pompous poseur and an abuser of the English language before actually becoming a senator.
Mr. Will has been harsh with President Bush of late - but in this bit, at least, he sides with me regarding Webb's behavior. And I'm just *positive* the column was written in response to our discussion in the comments... [sound of crickets chirruping] -the Armorer
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Reilly's Battery... Battery F, 5th US Field Artillery
...A final council of war assigned each national contingent a gate to attack along the city’s outer walls but agreed to postpone the assault when the Russian commander stated that his troops needed time to recuperate from the grueling march from Tientsin. The agreement was short lived, however, for on the evening of August 13 the Russians stole a march on the rest of the allies and attacked Peking on their own at the gate originally assigned to the Americans. News of the Russian action led first the Japanese and then the American and British contingents to make a mad dash for the city. There, on the morning of the fourteenth, they found the Russians pinned down at the Tung Pien gate unable to make further headway. Soldiers of the 14th Infantry scaled the city’s outer wall and cleared the gate, relieving the trapped Russians and opening the way for additional soldiers to pour into the city. Meanwhile, the British penetrated the outer wall at another point and relieved the legation quarter. The following day, Capt. Henry J. Reilly’s Light Battery F of the U.S. 5th Artillery shattered the gates of the city’s inner wall with several well-placed salvos, opening the way for the allied troops to occupy the central Imperial City.
Excerpted from Chapter 15 of American Military History Vol 1, from the US Army Center For Military History.
An interesting little tidbit I came across as I was doing a little research for these pics of Reilly's Battery - look at the number of Medals of Honor awarded to members of the China Relief Expedition. MG Adna Chaffee commanded 2500 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors in this campaign - that lasted all of two months in terms of fighting, with three major fights, Tientsin 13 July 1900, Yang-tsun 6 August 1900, Peking 14-15 August 1900.
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have generated... two (though there may be some more in the works.).
Food for thought there. Regarding standards, expectations, culture... and politics.
Allies.
KEEPING WATCH — Polish army soldiers assigned to Multi-National Division Central - South, Camp Echo, Iraq, provide security for U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 personnel and 8th Iraqi Army Division soldiers as they search the home of a suspected insurgent, Nov. 20, 2006, in the village of Al Naimi, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dawn M. Price
Other Allies: Canada in Kandahar, just can't get no respect from their press.
Fallujah, revisited.
The MSM spins things their way - here's the official government view. The truth, as always, probably lives somewhere in between.
Commentary: Fallujah Revisited29 November 2006
By Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV
Multi-National Force-Iraq SpokesmanIf you follow the news coming out of Iraq, you have seen too many headlines about the bloodshed in Baghdad in recent days. As American servicemen and women prepare to spend a fourth holiday season trying to help build a new Iraq, these headlines have led some people to conclude that our mission may be hopeless.
However, my recent visit to Fallujah has reaffirmed my strong conviction that as bad as the situation may sometimes appear, there is still reason to be optimistic for Iraq’s future.
Although it has been out of the headlines for some time, take a minute to recall why the name Fallujah resonates so strongly in our collective memory. Perhaps the most disturbing images of Operation Iraqi Freedom emanated from Fallujah on March 31, 2004, as the bodies of four murdered American contractors were desecrated and the charred corpses hung off the Euphrates River Bridge for the world to see. The “Fallujah Brigade,” a unit comprised of former Iraqi army officers, failed to prevent warlords allied with Al Qaeda in Iraq from effectively taking over the city. Foreign fighters and terrorist insurgents imposed a Taliban-like regime over the city, torturing and beheading innocent people who just wanted to enjoy the freedoms that resulted from the fall of Saddam Hussein. (One torture chamber later uncovered included cages in the basement and a wall covered with bloody handprints). With more than 100,000 explosive rounds stockpiled in weapons caches throughout the city, these invaders of Fallujah exported scores of suicide bombers bent on mass murder. The population of Fallujah fled in droves, reducing the number of residents to only 50-60,000. By October 2004, Fallujah was a city without security, without stability, and seemingly without hope.
In order to rescue the people of Fallujah and eliminate it as a base of operations for Al Qaida, Coalition forces launched Operation Al Fajr, or “The Dawn.” Led by American Marines, Coalition Forces battled 2-3,000 terrorists in fierce and sustained urban combat. Although Fallujah was liberated, half the city was decimated by the intense combat.
What has happened to Fallujah since that ferocious battle?
Last week, I saw a city of 350,000 people who have made incredible progress over the past two years. In the aftermath of Operation Al Fajr, in March of 2005, there were 3,000 United States Marines and only 300 Iraqi Security Forces in Fallujah. Today, the people of the city are protected by 1,500 members of their own Iraqi Security Force and only 300 Marines. The police are comprised of native Fallujans, and enjoy strong support from the local population. They are able to patrol their own neighborhoods, enforce their own laws, and handle the transition to responsibility for their own security and growth. Despite the sectarian violence which plagues other parts of the country, I saw the commander of the local Iraqi Army unit, a Shi’a, sit and work productively with the local police chief, a Sunni – a relationship few would have believed possible in Fallujah just a year ago.
I attended a city council meeting, where a democratically elected mayor and city council led the deliberations about the peoples’ business. To be honest, the Council’s discussion of traffic control was not exciting. But the mundane business of a functioning democracy can be uneventful when its institutions are working properly. At the same time, it was exciting to witness democracy in action on soil that once seemed entirely inhospitable. Membership of the Fallujah Business Association has grown from only 20 members last February to over 350 today, demonstrating optimism for economic growth. I even saw a processing center where Fallujah welcomes persons displaced by instability elsewhere.
Fallujah’s transition has not been easy. Terrorists and insurgents are waging a brutal campaign of murder and intimidation against the city’s government and police force. Unemployment remains high, and there is still much rebuilding to be done. But Colonel Larry Nicholson and the young Marines of Regimental Combat Team-5 firmly believe they have turned Fallujah into a model of what Iraq can become. Iraqis themselves support this hope, as families have been arriving in Fallujah en masse to seek shelter from instability in other parts of Iraq.
In October 2004, the world saw the incredible courage of the Coalition Force, as Marines did their part to create hope for Iraqis. Today, visitors to Fallujah can see the courage of Iraqis for themselves.
Difficult times remain ahead for the U.S. and Coalition Forces in Iraq. Many sacrifices remain to be made by both U.S.servicemen and women and their Iraqi partners in Fallujah. But the city is an example of what can be achieved when courageous leaders, brave security forces, and hard-working citizens unite for a common goal – a secure and unified future. The progress in Fallujah demonstrates that with time and effort, recovery is possible in Iraq in the wake of brutal violence.
November 29, 2006
H&I* Fires, 29 Nov 2006
Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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That'll show 'im, by Gosh!
U.S. bans sale of iPods to North Korea By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON - The Bush administration wants North Korea's attention, so like a scolding parent it's trying to make it tougher for that country's eccentric leader to buy iPods, plasma televisions and Segway electric scooters.
The U.S. government's first-ever effort to use trade sanctions to personally aggravate a foreign president expressly targets items believed to be favored by Kim Jong Il or presented by him as gifts to the roughly 600 loyalist families who run the communist government.
Heh. Can't hurt. It's not like they're a huge trading partner... Read the rest here.
Moving over to Britain...
Some lawyers welcomed the advance of what has become known as "legal pluralism".Dr Prakash Shah, a senior lecturer in law at Queen Mary University of London, said such tribunals "could be more effective than the formal legal system".
In his book Islam in Britain, Patrick Sookhdeo, director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity, says there is an "alternative parallel unofficial legal system" that operates in the Muslim community on a voluntary basis.
"Sharia courts now operate in most larger cities, with different sectarian and ethnic groups operating their own courts that cater to their specific needs according to their traditions," he says. These are based on sharia councils, set up in Britain to help Muslims solve family and personal problems