'Turkey gave Israel intel on Syria'

Jerusalem Post

Turkey provided Israel with intelligence on Syria prior to last week's alleged IAF flyover into the country, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida claimed on Thursday.

According to the report, the country had a central role in delivering precise information regarding targets in Syria that were to be hit by Israeli planes. Further, the report claimed .... Read on.

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BELGIUM

Paul Belien wrote a column entitled, THE END OF BELGIUM, and it starts out:

In the early 1990s following the fall of Communism, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia fell apart. Today, the federal Kingdom of Belgium, the last of Europe's multinational states, is beginning to unravel.

In 1830-31, the international powers put Belgium together as a political compromise and an experiment in building one state out of two nationalities.

The country is home to 6 million Dutch-speakers, or Flemish in Flanders, its northern half bordering the Netherlands, 3 million French-speakers or Walloons in Wallonia, its southern half bordering France, and 1 million people in its capital Brussels, an enclave within Flanders, which is also the capital of the European Union (EU).

While capitalist-minded Flanders generates wealth (it accounts for 70 percent of Belgium's GDP and 80 percent of its exports), Wallonia, at the receiving end of a generous welfare system, spends most of the money and vetoes any attempt to reform the system. Every year 6.6 percent of Flanders' GDP is spent on welfare in Wallonia.

Flanders cannot allow this situation to continue. The growing electoral appeal of the secessionist Vlaams Belang (VB) party, which strives for an independent Flanders, pressured the Flemish Christian Democrats to propose the transformation of Belgium into a confederation of two largely independent states with only the king, foreign policy and defense in common.

On June 10, the Flemish Christian Democrat leader Yves Leterme, the son of a Walloon father and a Flemish mother, won the Belgian general elections. The end of Belgium may be nigh.

Related: Diana West of the Washington Times reports on the Belgian police attacking peaceful demonstrators in Belgium who were protesting the Islamization of Belgium.

Paul Belien, referred to at the start of this post, writes another short piece, 'Capital of the EUSSR 2: Belgian Police Grabs Flemings by the Balls'.

Borking Mr. Olson

President Reid gives AG orders to the White House.
Opinion Journal

Not content with having run Attorney General Alberto Gonzales out of town, the Democratic posse on Capitol Hill is already gunning for his replacement--even before he's nominated. More preposterous still, they're disguising this pre-emptive borking as a plea for a "consensus" choice.

The breadth of this proposed condominium appears to be on the narrow side, however, running from Harry Reid to Pat Leahy, and perhaps stretching all the way to Chuck Schumer. Revealingly, this "consensus" doesn't seem to have room for Ted Olson, the former Solicitor General who is merely one of America's finest lawyers.

"Ted Olson will not be confirmed," declares Senate Majority Leader Reid. "He's a partisan, and the last thing we need as an Attorney General is a partisan." That standard could certainly stand some fleshing out. As "partisans" go, Mr. Olson doesn't come close to Bobby Kennedy, the brother of JFK; or Griffin Bell, close friend of Jimmy Carter (and a fine AG); or for that matter Janet Reno's Justice Department, which was run for years not by Ms. Reno but behind the scenes by close friend of Hillary Clinton and hyper-partisan Jamie Gorelick.

Is Mr. Reid saying that a Republican President can't nominate any Republican as Attorney General? Or does he mean that President Bush can only nominate a certain kind of Republican--namely one who agrees with the Senate Democratic agenda, or short of that one who can be easily rolled?

That the latter is the real Democratic game was given away by none other than Mr. Leahy, whose own "partisanship" is so raw he can't disguise it. Number Two on Mr. Leahy's helpful "Checklist for Choosing the Next Attorney General" is this: "A proven track record of independence to ensure that he or she will act as an independent check on this Administration's expansive claims of virtually unlimited executive power." Read more.

POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK

U. S. Senator Carl Levin, from the party that besmirched, sullied, and denigrated the reputation of our leading military general prior to his Senate testimony says Iraq government dysfunctional.

Washington (AP) - Senate Democratic leaders on Wednesday rejected the call by the top U.S. general in Iraq for a reduction of up to 30,000 U.S. troops in Iraq by next summer, saying it does not go far enough. Read on.

Vermont auto emissions ruling could have broad implications

WASHINGTON (AP) - A ruling by a Vermont judge this week against the auto industry over tough rules curbing greenhouse gas emissions could have national ramifications, from government agencies developing new regulations to the halls of Congress.

The decision, the latest setback for the auto industry, could stifle similar litigation pursued by car makers while placing more pressure on Congress to implement strict fuel economy rules in an energy bill expected to be negotiated this fall.

Environmental groups said Judge William Sessions III's decision on Wednesday bolstered the attempt by California and its allies to receive a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set up more stringent vehicle anti-pollution standards than those used by the federal government.

"This, I think, turns up the heat on the EPA on the question of the waiver which is the key step here," said Phil Sharp, a former Indiana congressman who serves as president of Resources for the Future, an environmental group. The EPA has said it will decide on the waiver by the end of the year.

Read on.

UNDER THE RADAR

Have you seen this story reported much, or at all, in the news? I guess it's just another one of those "let's move along, there's nothing to see here" stories.

Man with AK-47 nabbed at Hemlock Park;
Possible terrorist links being checked

Press & Guide Newspapers

DEARBORN - A laptop seized from the home of a Wayne State University medical student earlier this week could hold the key to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Police Department and the FBI.

The laptop belongs to 26-year-old Dearborn resident Houssein Zorkot, who was arraigned Tuesday in 19th District Court on multiple felony charges, including one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent — a five-year felony.

Dearborn police arrested Zorkot Sept. 8 after he was seen wielding an AK-47 semi-automatic assault rifle in Hemlock Park. But what led Zorkot to take up arms is still a mystery.

"At this point, we have not been able to determine a motive," said Police Chief Mike Celeski. "But this is still an ongoing investigation, and we're still collecting information."

Based on statements Zorkot made at the time of his arrest, police obtained and executed a search warrant on his home. A laptop computer and several pictures were seized.

Read more....

Thompson Criticizes No Child Left Behind

RUDY AD BLASTS HILLARY

Censoring 9/11 to Help Hillary

By Michael Medved

Last September, the excellent ABC miniseries "The Path to 9/11," drew a huge audience of 25 million people, but the Disney Company that owns the project has so far refused to make it available on DVD.

Writer-producer Cyrus Nowrasteh says he heard from a top executive that they won't release it due to fears it would harm Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign--because the mini-series accurately portrays the inaction of President Bill Clinton in the face of the mounting terrorist threat. The shocking censorship of a significant, potentially profitable TV production shows that two widespread beliefs about Hollywood aren't true:

-No, it's not always about money--on occasion, top executives will sacrifice profit for the sake of political correctness.

-And second, the entertainment industry isn't really committed to unfettered free expression. When it suits their purposes, as with "The Path to 9/11" or the attempt to impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," they'd rather stifle disagreements than answer them.

“Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.”

—Joseph Warren

"How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?"

-- James Madison --

Wiretaps 'foiled terror attacks'

The US director of intelligence has said wiretaps played a significant role in stopping bomb attacks by suspected Islamists in Germany last week.

Michael McConnell told a Senate committee eavesdropping had revealed that the suspects had obtained explosive liquids.

He said Congress should not restrict the programme.

In August, a temporary bill was adopted allowing eavesdropping on foreign terror suspects without a warrant.

Mr McConnell said the surveillance programme had made "significant contributions" in discovering and breaking up a suspected plot in Germany to bomb US installations. Read on.

Al Qaeda still plots another U.S. attack

By Bill Gertz

Al Qaeda terrorists continue to plan and train for a major attack against the United States, but so far, there are no signs that the group's extremists have infiltrated into the country, senior U.S. security and intelligence officials told Congress yesterday.

"They have committed leadership that can adapt. They have safe haven for training. They have middle management for organization and training and preparation. The thing they need the most are operations personnel," retired Vice Adm. Michael McConnell, director of national intelligence, told a Senate hearing.

"We watch them recruit. We watch them bring them to Pakistan, that border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, ... to train them in things like liquid explosives and so on, so the intent is clear," he said. "They have not yet been successful infiltrating back in the United States."

Read more.

IT MAY BE MOSTLY SYMBOLIC, BUT DO IT ANYWAY

U.N. panel faces loss of U.S. funding

By Betsy Pisik, Washington Times

NEW YORK — Congress is poised to eliminate the 25 percent U.S. funding for the U.N. Human Rights Council, saying that the forum is dominated by human rights abusers and has become a forum to bash Israel.

The move against the council is part of a number of proposed cuts in U.S. funding for the world body now working their way through Capitol Hill.

Moreover, the latest effort appears to be bipartisan, unlike past budget battles that were driven largely by conservative Republicans. Read more.

NEVER ... EVER ... FORGET

Six years after 9/11, it's notable how little the politics of the left have changed.

BY NORMAN PODHORETZ

LIBERALS ARE FUNDING OUR DESTRUCTION

Though they have a hard time recognizing it or even admitting it, liberals in America, are sowing the seeds for the future annihilation of America as we know it.

I say they have a hard time recognizing it, because when conservatives validate such theories, liberals like Los Angeles based talk show host Stephanie Miller makes a joke of it when opposing me on CNN. She said that she "like most Democrats, want to be killed by a terrorist." They're dismissive, derisive, and instead of answering the substance - they resort to snorting at those of us who make the observation. They go to great lengths to defend the New York Times, who told Al Qaeda of our counter terrorism methods regarding the listening in on their phone calls, and the sniffing out and freezing of their money supplies.

Read more of "Funding Our Destruction"
By Kevin McCullough

Red Terror, Green Terror: Anti-Americanism is the common thread.

BY BRET STEPHENS

Thirty years ago this month, Germany's Red Army Faction--better known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang--kidnapped Hanns-Martin Schleyer, president of the German employers' association, and murdered his driver and three bodyguards. Six weeks later, on Oct. 18, 1977, the RAF murdered Schleyer, too, after the West German government refused to give in to RAF demands for the release of its imprisoned leaders. That same day, three of those leaders--Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin and Jan-Carl Raspe--committed suicide. Schleyer's body was found the next day in the trunk of a car, his mouth stuffed with pine needles. An RAF communiqué announced that "we have ended Hanns-Martin Schleyer's pitiful and corrupt existence. . . . His death is meaningless for our pain and our rage.

"Today, Germans remember these events--collectively known as der Deutsche Herbst, or German autumn--with a degree of fascination that sometimes borders on nostalgia. (Der Spiegel devotes this week's cover story to it.) They might remember them, too, for what they say about the present: The sixth anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11 is upon us, as is another manifesto from Osama bin Laden, as is another foiled terrorist attack in Germany. Is the autumn of '77 so....

Read more @ OpinionJournal

Trashing Petraeus: MoveOn.org, and the new standards of Democratic debate.

An Opportunity for Unity

By Hugh Hewitt

In blunt straight talk, General David Petraeus appeared before the Armed Services Committee of the United States Congress and declared:

"As a bottom line up front, the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met. In recent months, in the face of tough enemies and the brutal summer heat of Iraq, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have achieved progress in the security arena."

The protestors in the hearing rooms and the hysterical anti-Bush partisans at MoveOn.org who attacked General Petraeus betray that they are more interested in rhetoric than results, and do not care a whit about the Iraqi people or the broader war on terror.

On this sixth anniversary of 9/11, we urge Americans to put these divisive voices aside and focus on the general's testimony. The surge is working and America is winning a battle on a crucial front to our success in the global war on terror.

HEADLINES FROM THE YEAR: 2029

Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formerly known as California . White minorities still trying to have English recognized as Mexifornia's third language.

Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States crops and livestock.

Baby conceived naturally. Scientists stumped.

Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.

Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iraq , Afghanistan , Syria and Lebanon ).

Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.

France pleads for global help after being taken over by Jamaica ..

Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.

Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.

85-year $75.8 billion study: Diet and Exercise is the key to weight loss.

Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.

Japanese scientists have created a camera with such a fast shutter speed, they now can photograph a woman with her mouth shut.

Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.

Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.

Average height of NBA players is now nine feet, seven inches.

New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters and rolled-up newspapers must be registered by January 2036.

Congress authorizes direct deposit of formerly illegal political contributions to campaign accounts.

IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.

Florida voters still having trouble with voting machines.

CIA Director Hayden Warns of New al-Qaida Attacks

NEW YORK -- In a rare public address CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden warned of new attacks by al-Qaida:

"Our analysts assess with high ......

“People treat politicians sort of like dentists—they don’t have anything to do with them till they have to.”
-- FRED THOMPSON --

WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE

Clinton Campaign: Waiting for the Next Hsu to Drop
By Richard H. Collins

Those familiar with the Clinton response to scandal know the process by heart. It inevitably goes something like this: first, deny any wrongdoing; then explain it as a misunderstanding or bureaucratic mistake; when it is clear there is actual wrongdoing begin to stonewall and obfuscate; then move on to simultaneously attacking anyone who brings up the scandal and dismissing the issue as old news............

I AM REALLY TIRED OF OUR GOV'T STEALING MY MONEY

.... And pissing it away......

Senate Votes to Fund Foreign Abortion Providers
By Amanda Carpenter:

"The Senate voted to open federal coffers to foreign abortion providers, undermining President Bush's policy that U.S. taxpayer money should not fund abortion late Thursday......."

As I have said before, raising taxes isn't really the answer. We have a spending problem - a lack of priorities.

We could spend more "Federal money" (your money and mine) on education and road repair and bridge repair instead of spending our money on SH*T excrement like this!!

Liberals love the sin and hate the sinner

By Star Parker:
Coverage by the mainstream media of the Larry Craig scandal confirms again that liberals love the sin and hate the sinner. They've got both the Idaho senator and the conservative values that he has supported in their crosshairs.

The president had the courage to change course on Iraq. Does Congress?

BY JOHN MCCAIN AND JOE LIEBERMAN

THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS: THE GOV'T MUST STEP IN TO HELP

Boston Globe:
Higher cost of birth control cause for concern on college campuses

BIDEN, THE MILITARY EXPERT, SAYS GENERAL PETREAUS IS WRONG

Who ARE These People? By Rich Galen

On "Meet the Press" yesterday, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) said General David Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq, is 'dead flat wrong' for warning against major changes in the current Iraq strategy. So Biden has made up his mind before hearing what Petraeus will tell Biden's own committee? He’s not the only one...

UK Gov’t Accused of Using Environment as Excuse to Raise Revenue
As Britain’s major political parties call for more environmentally oriented taxes, two new studies question if the government is simply using them as an excuse to raise money...

Media Avoid Linking Democratic Party With NJ Scandals
The political scandals that continue to plague New Jersey have not translated into negative press coverage for the Democratic Party, which has been disproportionately affected by recent corruption charges and arrests..

AS BIN LADEN DERIDES THE DEMS:

Liberal Anti-War Groups Target Democrats
With Democrats unable to exert influence over Iraq war policy -- much less bring an end to the four-year conflict -- the liberal anti-war activists who helped Democrats take control of Congress are now turning against them...

What an interesting juxtaposition........

Democrats Urged to Denounce MoveOn.org Political Ad
Outraged Republicans say Democratic leaders should denounce the full-page newspaper ad in which MoveOn.org questioned whether it’s “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?” House Republican leader John Boehner said Democratic leaders must make a choice: "Either embrace the character assassination tactics Moveon.org has leveled against the four-star general leading our troops in the fight against al Qaeda, or denounce it as disgraceful.”

THE LOSERS REACH NEW LOWS

Apparently there are no depths to which they will stoop:

Democrats Question General Petraeus’ Credibility, Integrity
Some Democrats are questioning the integrity of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, hoping to discredit in advance anything he will tell Congress on Monday and Tuesday, when he delivers his progress report on Iraq...

‘Don’t Give Up on Us,’ Says Iraqi Ambassador
It is crucial for the United States to stay in Iraq until the mission there has been completed, the Iraqi ambassador to the United States said in Washington on Friday. Ambassador Samir Sumadaie also expressed gratitude for the sacrifices American families have made. “We don’t want those sacrifices to go in vain,” he said...

A SOCIETAL PROBLEM

Cruelty to Children Worse Than Cruelty to Dogs
—Michael Medved

Quarterback Michael Vick may never play again after pleading guilty to a dog-fighting charge, but Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry signed a $25 million contract earlier this year--despite his record as a dead-beat dad with nine out-of-wedlock children with nine different women. At least seven of the mothers went to court to get 28-year-old Henry to help support his off-spring--even as he spent $100,000 on a new car and $146,000 on jewelry for himself.

Even if he obeys court orders to send money, the long-term damage to society remains severe: children growing up in fatherless households face innumerable emotional, educational and even criminal problems.

America will only begin to make progress against the plague of out-of-wedlock birth when celebrity skunks like Travis Henry fall from their privileged positions and, as columnist DeWayne Wickham rightly demands, the NFL takes cruel treatment of children at least as seriously as horrible abuse of dogs.

HE NAILED IT

In a speech in Virginia, in 1788 at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, George Mason spoke these words:

"Those gentlemen, who will be elected senators, will fix themselves in the federal town, and become citizens of that town more than of your state."

Boy. Talk about having a crystal ball.