Kurds want U.S. forces to remain in northern Iraq

Kurds want U.S. forces to remain in northern IraqBAGHDAD — The U.S. military is stepping up efforts to head off the risk of war between the Baghdad government and the Kurdish autonomous zone in northern Iraq as the U.S. withdraws its forces.

Kurds want U.S. forces to remain in northern Iraq

Iraq prime minister ties Saddam regime to captured Al Qaida commander

Iraq prime minister ties Saddam regime to captured Al Qaida commanderBAGHDAD — The government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki said Al Qaida worked closely with former operatives in Saddam Hussein regime. ShareThisOfficials said leading members of the Al Qaida network have coordinated operations with Saddam aides since 2003. They said Al Qaida and Saddam forces attacked Shi'ites in an effort to spark a civil war in Iraq

Iraq prime minister ties Saddam regime to captured Al Qaida commander

Seal U.S.-Mexico Border to Prevent Spread of Swine Flu, Says Democrat
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.), member of the House Homeland Security Committee, is calling for the “immediate” and “complete” closure of the U.S. border with Mexico until officials in that country can contain the spread of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. Massa criticized the media for its coverage of the outbreak, which the U.S. government declared a public health emergency on Sunday.

Gore - the jokester

Gore Claims Cap-and-Trade Will Save Americans Money
(CNSNews.com) - Former Vice-President Al Gore told Congress last week that that the provisions of “cap-and-trade” legislation eventually will save Americans money by reducing the amount of energy they buy. The 646-page American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, endorsed by Gore, aims to steer Americans away from buying electricity produced with carbon emissions by artificially raising the price of electricity produced that way.

A GOOD ANALOGY

A man comes to the rabbi and complains about his life: "I have almost no money, my wife is a shrew, and we live in a small apartment with seven unruly kids. It's messy, it's noisy, it's smelly, and I don't want to live."

The rabbi says, "Buy a goat."

"What? I just told you there's hardly room for nine people, and it's messy as it is!"

"Look, you came for advice, so I'm giving you advice. Buy a goat and come back in a month."

In a month the man comes back and he is even more depressed: "It's gotten worse! The filthy goat breaks everything, and it stinks and makes more noise than my wife and seven kids! What should I do?"

The rabbi says, "Sell the goat."

A few days later the man returns to the rabbi, beaming with happiness: "Life is wonderful! We enjoy every minute of it now that there's no goat - only the nine of us. The kids are well-behaved, the wife is agreeable - and we even have some money!"

Obama's "change" is precisely the goat that Americans bought when they lost the appreciation of how good they had it. But the perception of misery is not set in stone; this self-inflicted disaster may as well serve as a remedy - an unpleasant but necessary shock therapy helping the misguided voters come to their senses and begin to appreciate what they had lost. And once they get rid of the socialist goat, they will hopefully regain confidence in their own system and continue to enjoy liberty and prosperity as they always did - with the head held high and without the silliness of feeling guilty about it.

The trick is not to let the goat grow on you. Don't settle for socialism.

From: http://www.fairtax.org/

SWINE FLU INFO

Because of the sensationalized news reporting and general confusion on the swine flu, some common sense facts are reported here from Health Sciences Institute.

From Health Sciences Institute

Don't Panic: 7 FACTS About 'Swine Flu'

1. So far, only 82 cases of so-called swine flu have been definitively identified worldwide, mostly in Mexico (26 confirmed, 7 deaths) and the U.S.(with 40 confirmed, no deaths). (Though about 1600 suspected cases, including 159 deaths, are reported in Mexico.) That does not add up to a pandemic swine flu outbreak.
2. This virus has nothing to do with swine. In fact, it hasn't been seen in a single animal. And you can't possibly get it from eating pork.
3. No existing vaccines can prevent this new flu strain. So no matter what you hear – even if it comes from your doctor – don't get a regular flu shot. They rarely work against seasonal flu…and certainly can't offer protection from a never-before- seen strain.
4. Speaking of this strain, it doesn't seem to have come on naturally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this particular strain has never before been seen in pigs or people. And according to Reuters, the strain is a 'genetic mix' of swine, avian and human flu. Was it created in a lab? We don't know yet.
5. The drug companies are getting excited…and that's never a good thing. According to the Associated Press at least one financial analyst estimates up to $388 million worth of Tamiflu sales in the near future – and that's without a pandemic outbreak.
6. Let's not forget that Tamiflu comes with its own problems, including side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough…the very symptoms you're trying to avoid. And let's not forget that Japan banned this drug for children back in 2007, after links to suicidal behavior.
7. Vaccines for this flu strain probably won't have to jump through all those annoying hurdles like clinical trials for safety and effectiveness. That won't, however, stop the government from mandating the vaccine for all of us – a very likely scenario. And if the vaccines are actually harmful…killing people, for example…the vaccine makers will be immune from lawsuits.

Your best defense – your only real defense in any flu season – is a bulletproof immune system.

Israeli intel warns Netanyahu on Obama policy: 'We have become an obstacle'

TEL AVIV — A classified assessment relayed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Obama and his senior advisers would incrementally diminish U.S. strategic cooperation with Israel developed over the last 20 years.
Full story.

Turkey raid left-wing insurgents said to plan 'sensational attacks' on May 1

Turkey raid left-wing insurgents said to plan 'sensational attacks' on May 1
ANKARA — The Turkey government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has launched a campaign to capture far left insurgents.

On April 27, some 1,000 Turkish forces raided 60 suspected strongholds of what were termed as Revolutionary Headquarters around Istanbul.

"They were planning to stage sensational armed attacks soon," Istanbul Gov. Moammar Guler said. "We have seized lots of weapons, bombs and boobytraps." Full story.

Pigs, sunspots and Al Gore: Are we dead yet?

Yemen special forces defeat pirates, take back four ships in Arabian Sea battle

We can't have a secret intelligence service if we keep giving away secrets
World Tribune

Since leaving my post as CIA director almost three years ago, I have remained largely silent on the public stage. I am speaking out now because I feel our government has crossed the red line between properly protecting our national security and trying to gain partisan political advantage. We can't have a secret intelligence service if we keep giving away all the secrets. Americans have to decide now.

A disturbing epidemic of amnesia seems to be plaguing my former colleagues on Capitol Hill. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, members of the committees charged with ... read on.

SIEG HEIL
By Robert Ringer

As I witness the daily events that surround me, I sometimes feel as though I’ve landed on another planet. Or perhaps that I’m having a dream where I’m trapped inside a George Orwell novel.

Comments like “We live in an upside-down world” and “The world is standing on its head” have become cliches a result of decades of a dismissive attitude by “social progressives” (or, more accurately, socialist progressives).

It seems as though speech and behavior that was once considered morally wrong, uncivilized, or inappropriate is today not only tolerated, but extolled. Likewise, speech and behavior that the vast majority of people once considered to be morally right, civilized, and appropriate is now reviled.

So, yes, the world is upside-down. I saw this moral transformation coming late in.... READ IT ALL HERE.

HH Jr

HeavyHanded Jr. and his girlfriend of two years all dressed up for the prom. They are juniors in high school, and he is the last of my brood.

Hill battle on war spending looms

Washington Times

Critics fault bill's priorities

President Obama's $83.4 billion war-spending bill is headed for an unexpectedly tough time on Capitol Hill, where Republicans are scrutinizing the funding priorities and rank-and-file Democrats want to include performance benchmarks for the Afghanistan mission.

World looks to U.S. to spark recovery

Washington Times

Leaders cite tentative signs of stabilization in American economy

While much of the world blames the United States for triggering the global financial crisis and recession, most nations also are looking to America to start pulling the rest of the world out of the slump.

OBAMA'S MASTER PLAN?

PRUDEN: Steady descent into third world - Washington Times

Opening a can of worms always tempts a mischief-maker, but it's risky business. That can of worms might turn out to be a can of snakes, like Barack Obama's latest gift to the nation.