July 03, 2007

Kidnapped BBC Reporter Freed

Great news from Gaza, via Fox News:

Kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnston was released after nearly four months in captivity in Gaza, FOX News confirmed with a Hamas spokesman Tuesday.

Johnston, a correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corp., was not seen after the announcement, but the Islamic militant group said he was in the custody of its military wing and meeting with deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas.

The release was announced by the Islamic militant group's TV and also confirmed in a text message from Hamas to The Associated Press.

There were no further immediate details.

Johnston was videotaped last month wearing an explosive belt, warning that his captors would detonate him if a rescue was attempted. Thankfully that did not happen. It will be interesting to hear the behind-the-scene details as they emerge. Johnston's release comes nearly one year after Fox News journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig were kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam as the price of their freedom, along with an alleged ransom payment of $2 million.

Another interesting point is that the Army of Islam is also believed to be responsible for the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped in June 2006 in Gaza. As Hamas continues their publicity campaign to be seen as the force of stability and law-and-order in the Palestinian territories, maybe they will put the pressure on for Shalit's freedom.

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July 02, 2007

(Updated) Libby Spared Prison, Left Ignores Clinton's Mile-Long Pardon List

Typical hyperpartisan reaction from the Democrats, and hilariously disingenuous. It isn't even a pardon, for chrissakes.

As for the left's own little foray into presidential pardons, wow. That's a long list with some pretty serious offenses. Here's Clinton's 'reasons,' all of which are accepted as gospel and irrefutable on the left.

Its almost worth it just to hear the faux-indignant shrieking and witness the sudden memory loss.

Look below the jump to just sample Clinton's extensive list of pardons - and these are just 1994 CLICK BELOW THE JUMP FOR THE DIRT -->

- - - - - UPDATES - - - - -

UPDATE VII: Did you know that he word "cocaine" appears 50 times on Clinton's list of pardons? Want a partial list of those he pardoned for making false statements to Federal agents, grand juries, etc (ie, so many "Scooter Libbys" pardoned...)?

Joseph A. Yasak N. D. Ill. 1988 Knowingly making under oath a false declaration regarding a material fact before a Grand Jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623

Jack L. Williams D. Dist. Col. 1998 Making false statements to federal agents (two counts), 18 U.S.C. § 1001

Jack Kenneth Watson D. Oregon 1985 Making false statements of material facts to the United States Forest Service, 18 U.S.C. § 1001

John Fife Symington, III D. Ariz. 1996 indictment; 1997 superseding indictment False statements to federally insured financial institutions, wire fraud, attempted extortion, and false statements in bankruptcy proceeding, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1014, 1343, 1951, 152, 2(a) and 2(b)

Gerald Glen Rust E. D. Tex. 1991 False declarations before grand jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623

Jerri Ann Rust E. D. Tex. 1991 False declarations before grand jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623

Robert William Palmer E. D. Ark. 1995 Conspiracy to make false statements, 18 U.S.C. § 371

Verla Jean Allen W. D. Ark. 1990 False statements to agency of United States, 15 U.S.C. § 714m(a)

UPDATE VI: Listen, if you will, to Mark Levin beating down the leftwing crash test dummies over this episode (download the mp3).

UPDATE V: More leftwing respect for the rule of law: President Bill Clinton cited for contempt of court.

UPDATE IV: Sandy "Dox in the Sox" Berger. Also, Pat Leahy (D) was forced to resign his Senate Intelligence Committee post in 1988 after he was caught leaking top-secret information to a reporter. Some might call him a "hero."

UPDATE III: The Marc Rich pardon, b*tches. Also, the Clinton pardons of FALN terrorists, with the NYT being nuanced over the decisions. For contrast, here's the NYT today on the Libby commutation.

UPDATE II: The list goes on and on... Chuck Schumer (D), 1999, calling for the release of a convicted Israeli spy named John Pollard.

UPDATE: A literate comment from one of the Democrat howler monkey fanboys (ASU86) at Politico:

GEORGE #39 CHIMP BUSH AND DICK CHENEY ARE THE SONS OF BITCHES WHO SHOULD BE FIGHTING OFF A GANG RAPE IN PRISON.
Heh. Nuance. more...

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June 30, 2007

Video of Terror Attack at Glasgow Airport



Via Sky News:

Two people are being held after a burning Jeep was rammed through the terminal building at Glasgow airport.
The incident is being treated as a terror attack, a nearby hospital has been evacuated, extra police are at other UK airports and the Prime Minister is chairing a Cobra emergency meeting.

As she arrived at the Cobra meeting, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith described the Glasgow incident as "serious".

The Jeep Cherokee was rammed into the terminal at 3.11pm this afternoon.

Witnesses reported hearing a series of loud "bangs" and saw two men - one of whom was on fire - emerge from the vehicle.

As holidaymakers ran screaming from the terminal, one member of the public managed to floor the man who was in flames.

The suspect was then arrested by police and taken to Paisley's Alexandra hospital, which has since been evacuated.

The second man was arrested and taken to Govan police station.

UPDATE: U.K. raises security alert to 'critical,' indicating imminent terror attacks

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June 28, 2007

Steerike Three, Yer Out!

The vote on the motion for cloture on the immigration bill has failed to get enough votes.

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

IN A VOTE OF 53 - 46, U.S. SENATE REJECTS IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL THAT WOULD HAVE LEGALIZED MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Captain Ed is following the roll call here.

More here at Stop the ALCU.

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June 25, 2007

Gilad Shalit's Voice on Hamas Audio

An audio recording of Gilad Shalit, the IDF soldier who was abducted 1 year ago today, was released by Hamas. It is the first solid proof of life since he was kidnapped in Gaza by the Army of Islam last year.

Via the Jerusalem Post:

"Mother and father, my sister and brother, my friends in the Israel Defense Forces. I greet you from prison and miss you all," he said.

"I have spent a full year in prison, and my health is still deteriorating, and I need a prolonged hospitalization. I regret the lack of interest on the part of the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces in my case and their refusal to meet the demands of the al-Kassam brigades," he added.

[snip]

Schalit's father, Noam, listened to the tape on Channel 2 television, asking the station to play it a second time for the soldier's mother to hear. He said it appeared that the statement was coerced.

"I imagine that it's the same as the letter they dictated to him and doesn't reflect his real state," he said. "We want somebody independent to see him, to examine him and the conditions under which he is held, his medical condition of course and his mental (state)."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak also offered a quick response to the tape, saying that its contents demonstrate that the organization which is responsible for the fate of Schalit is Hamas.

more...

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June 24, 2007

Kidnapped Reporter Shown in Video Wearing Explosive Belt (UPDATED and Bumped with Video)

Not good news about Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter kidnapped in Gaza more than 3 months ago (via Reuters):

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Sunday that the kidnappers of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have made a new video of the abducted journalist wearing what appeared to be explosives around his waist.

Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas-led government sacked by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, disclosed the video of Johnston in his first major speech since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip just over a week ago.

"In the past they showed him in an orange uniform. Today they showed him with an explosives belt round his waist," Haniyeh said.

A Palestinian source close to the negotiations confirmed the existence of a new tape showing Johnston wearing an explosives belt. The tape has not been aired publicly but the contents were shared with Haniyeh.

The bomb belt is apparently meant to discourage any rescue attempts. Haniyeh says he was persuaded by the British government not to try a rescue for fear than Johnston would be killed in the process. How much of that is believable is open to debate, but Hamas has their credibility at stake here, since one of the first things they did after their successful coup earlier this month was to announce that Johnston would be free within 24 hours.

While we pray for Alan's safety and swift release, let's remember another Gaza captive who's been held even longer: tomorrow Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit marks the 1-year anniversary of his kidnapping by Hezbollah. May his family be blessed with his return home soon.

Correction:
Thanks to Kafir for pointing out that Gilad was kidnapped by the Army of Islam, not Hezbollah, who did however kidnap Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev 3 weeks after the Shalit abduction. Let's keep them in our prayers too.

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Gilad Shalit being held in booby-trapped Gaza building

On the eve of his 1-year anniversary as a captive in Gaza, Reuters reports that kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is being held in an explosives-laden basement near the town of Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The television report said Shalit was being cared for by two captors with whom he had formed a "cordial" relationship and he was being treated fairly.

Shalit's living quarters were described as a two-room underground store with enough supplies to last two weeks, accessible down a ladder through a 15-meter deep shaft which the report said was lined with explosives.

It added that the captors receive supplies and newspaper cuttings every two weeks and that they had been ordered to take good care of their prisoner.

Last year, Shalit's captors refused to accept a pair of eye glasses sent by his parents because they feared they were embedded with miniature electronic devices.

Start to notice a pattern here? (See previous story on Alan Johnston's bomb-belt).

Meanwhile, Gilad's father has told Israeli Prime Minister Olmert: Free my son or quit.

Jerusalem - The father of an Israeli soldier snatched one year ago in a cross-border raid launched from the Gazs Strip called Sunday on the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign if he was unable to secure the release of his son. "It's the test of a leader", Noam Shalit said at a rally in Jerusalem marking one year since the abduction. "If you do not know what to do, give your portfolio to someone who can bring about results immediately."

And an Israeli MK has tied Gilad's release to any humanitarian aid given to Gaza :

"I assume the government will reach some kind of decision in the coming days regarding the opening of the crossings into Gaza," MK Levy told Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine on Sunday morning. "This, in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza where people die of disease and hunger."

"But we have some humanitarian demands of our own," Levy said. "I propose that the Government of Israel make its continued humanitarian aid contingent upon the release of Gilad Shalit. We must say: If you ignore the humanitarian need of his family, and of all Israel, and keep him with you, then we too will keep our aid from reaching Gaza."

MK Levy, whose daughter was killed by a car bomb in Jerusalem in 2003, isn't buying Hamas's claim that they have n othing to do with the Shalit kidnapping:

Asked about the claim that the kidnappers are not controlled by the Hamas government, Rabbi Levy said, "To say that they're just a bunch of wild guys who don't listen to orders - I don't accept that. The whole Hamas regime is the same way... The world understands this, and will therefore accept our demand. This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the terrorists' plight. There's no reason for us to be so good-hearted. If they don't want to run out of flour in a week or two, then let them give us back Gilad."

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June 21, 2007

Rage Boy is Back!

After his smash debut in last year's Pope Protests, Rage Boy is back for a second season of seething. Check out the photoessay highlighting this Islamic Idol's career at Snapped Shot.

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June 18, 2007

ABC Reports Suicide Bombers Sent to Europe, US

The question is, of course, is it a real threat or propaganda?

Large teams of newly trained suicide bombers are being sent to the United States and Europe, according to evidence contained on a new videotape obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com.

Teams assigned to carry out attacks in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Germany were introduced at an al Qaeda/Taliban training camp graduation ceremony held June 9.

ABC and the rest of the mainstream media will decide based on whether a real threat or a bluff best suits their political agenda. Expect opinion polls on the issue to be conducted shortly.

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June 17, 2007

ID Cards of 2 Missing Soldiers Found

No sign of the missing soldiers themselves yet, but now their ID cards have been recovered, about 90 miles from where they were kidnapped last month.

Via CNN:

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S.-led coalition forces have found the identification cards of two missing American soldiers, believed to have been abducted last month south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Saturday.

"Coalition forces raided a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq safe house near Samarra on June 9 and discovered the identification cards" of Spc. Alex R. Jimenez of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, of Waterford, Michigan, a military news release said.

The cards were recovered 90 miles (about 144 kilometers) north of where the two men disappeared, a few days after an Islamic militant group issued a video showing what appeared to be military ID cards.

The Islamic State of Iraq also announced the deaths of the two soldiers in commentary on the video, but provided no proof.

The families of the two soldiers continue to hold out hope that they are still alive:

Maria del Rosario Duran keeps holding fast to hope. Even as military officials announced yesterday that her kidnapped soldier son's identification cards were found in an al-Qaida safe house north of Baghdad, the mother in Corona, Queens, believes he is alive.

"We're waiting, we're waiting. I think this is good news. Maybe they moved him to somewhere," Duran said yesterday of her son, Spc. Alex Jimenez, 25, as a tear formed in her eye. She added: "If I continue to hope and hope and hope, then in my mind he's alive."

And another heartbreaking excerpt:

Like Jimenez’ parents, Fouty’s stepfather found hope in the latest news.

“I take it as they keep moving him, and that he’s alive,” Gordon Dibler Jr. said. “I was happy that they found something tangible. I’m going to keep hoping.”

[snip]

Andy Jimenez returned to Lawrence last week and to his job as a contractor after keeping vigil with Duran and other family in New York since the news first broke. Yesterday afternoon, Jimenez was helping repair a friend’s lawn mower.

“We just keep hope with him,” his close friend and neighbor Wendy Luzon said. “We wait for that little bit of news. Like Andy wants, the only thing we can do is to keep praying.”

But nothing can keep either of them from thinking of Alex.

Andy Jimenez ends every telephone conversation with friends and family members in tears. He wakes up in the middle of the night with his son on his mind. One day last week, he sat down to eat beef steak, white rice and beans and thought of him.

“Because he likes to eat a lot,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duran said she will continue praying as she has done since her son enlisted.

“We’ll continue to have the same faith in God so he can give us strength,” she said. “I feel like I’m on the road to Calvary.”

Continued, constant prayers for the two soldiers and their families. If the two young men are, in fact dead, then they are in a better place and no longer suffering as their families are. As long as the families continue to hold out hope, we owe it to them to bombard the gates of Heaven with prayers on their behalf. Prayers also for the safety of the troops working on the search-and-rescue mission.

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June 15, 2007

Kidnapped BBC Reporter Handed Over to Hamas

The abductors of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped in Gaza March 12, say he could could be free within 24 hours: (via Fox News)

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeideh told reporters in a midnight news conference that Hamas, which seized control of Gaza a day before, "will not allow anyone to attack journalists or foreigners, because they are helping our people."

Earlier, A Hamas source confirms to FOX News that the kidnappers of BBC journalist Alan Johnston have handed him over to Hamas members.

The BBC's bureau in Jerusalem said, "We would love for this to be true."

Earlier, a person involved in the negotiations for Johnston's release said the captors promised to free him within 24 hours.

This is good news if true, although I would take Hamas's newfound love for foreign journalists with a hefty grain of salt. Hopefully Alan will have the sense to get out before he is invited to enjoy their hospitality again.

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June 13, 2007

Coalition Soldier May Be Kidnapped in Afghanistan

Via AFP:

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - The US-led coalition said Wednesday it was investigating reports that a soldier was missing in
Afghanistan, as the Taliban claimed to have captured a foreign trooper.

If confirmed, it would be the first time a foreign soldier in Afghanistan has been captured by the Taliban, who have previously abducted foreign journalists and aid workers.

"We have unconfirmed reports that a soldier is missing. We are investigating," coalition spokesman Major Chris Belcher told AFP. He could not give any details.

Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said the movement had captured a foreign soldier in uniform in the Sangin district of volatile southern Helmand province on Tuesday.

"One NATO force soldier with a uniform and gun was captured by our mujahedeen (holy warriors)," Ahmadi told AFP by telephone from an unknown location.

Prayers for the safety and rescue of this soldier, and for the capture of his abductors.

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June 02, 2007

Liberal Blogger Steve Gilliard Dies

Steve Gilliard, famous to many on this side of the blogosphere for photoshopping Michael Steele as Simple Sambo back in 2005, passed away today.

steelesmeared.jpg

Hmm. I could say several really mean and vile things right now. But I'm not a liberal wingnut blogger.

So condolences. Hope his family will be all right.

485.thumbnail.jpg

See Firedoglake (no stranger to blackfacing people) or Daily Kos for more.

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June 01, 2007

New Video of Kidnapped BBC Reporter (Updated with Video)


Via SITE Institute:

The Army of Islam [Jeish al-Islam], a jihadist group operating in Gaza, issued through the Global Islamic Media Front to jihadist forums today, Friday, June 1, 2007, a 5:39 minute video featuring captured BBC reporter Alan Johnston, in which the captive gives a speech addressing the alleged crimes of Britain and the West against Muslims, specifically Palestinians.The group had previously issued a statement on May 9, 2007 with an accompanying video showing only Johnston’s ID, claiming his capture and giving as demands for his release Muslim prisoners in British prisons, in particular, Sheikh Abu Qatada al-Filistini.Johnston was reported captured on March 12, 2007.

In the video, Johnston states that he has been treated well by his captors.He then talks in the regard of Palestinians, claiming that in his three years in the Palestinian Territories he has witnessed their continuing economic and physical suffering at the hands of Israel, then informs that the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan is much worse.Johnston then points to the British government, stating: “In all this we can see the British government endlessly to occupy the Muslim lands against the will of the people in those places.From history the British worked to brings about the state of Israel which is the cause of all the suffering of the Israeli Palestinian people and we, the British, are completely to blame along with the Americans for the situation in Iraq, and the British are the main force in Afghanistan causing all the trouble to simple, ordinary Afghans who simply want to live.”

This is certainly good news, especially after reports in April that Alan had been killed by his captors. What's ironic is that the kidnappers abducted a reporter who probably believed all the sob stories about the poor suffering Palestinians and tried to present them in the most sympathetic light during his tenure in Gaza. I can't wait to see what he has to say when he is finally free. As always, continued prayers for his safety and release.

Complete transcript of the video below the fold. more...

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May 30, 2007

Al-Qaida Hostages Give Details of Captivity

Via the Los Angeles Times:

The 41 hostages freed from an al-Qaida in Iraq prison this week said they were chosen because their captors hoped they could fetch a $40,000 ransom, or because they worked for the Iraqi government or merely because they were found smoking on the street.

Many of the prisoners said they had been moved from one detention site to another over the course of their captivity, suggesting that significant numbers of captives may still be held in Diyala province.

These and other details emerged yesterday at a video news conference with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Morris Goins, the commanding officer who oversaw the rescue.

The youngest among the prisoners freed Sunday, a 13-year-old boy, said he had been held captive because al-Qaida operatives had spotted him smoking on the street, seen as an affront to Islam, Goins said.

Almost all the captives said they had been given the choice to carry out militant acts or be killed.

This story, despite the suffering of the captives, is good news: first, the insurgents are significantly overplaying their hand, resorting to kidnapping children for smoking, this would suggest that they having a harder time winning the "hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people than we are; and second, given the choice between comitting acts of terrorism (militant acts) or being killed, the captives took an honorable stand and were willing to die rather than become murderers themselves. These are the Iraqi people who would be slaughtered if we pulled out of Iraq now. We owe it to them to stand by them until the "insuregents" (murderous scum) are eliminated.

Crossposted at Not Ready for my Burqua

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May 29, 2007

British, German Hostages Seized in Iraq

Via The Scotsman:

SEVERAL Britons were feared kidnapped in Baghdad today on another bloody day for Iraq.

They were among a group of Westerners snatched when a group of armed Iraqis in uniform arrived at the finance ministry in the Iraqi capital, according to reports.

The Foreign Office in London said officials were “urgently” looking into reports that four British security guards were among seven people taken by the kidnappers.

The BBC reported that a fifth Briton, a computer expert, was also kidnapped in the raid.

Other reports said three computer programmers thought to be German were taken along with their guards.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman could not confirm the reports but said: “We are urgently looking into reports that a group of Westerners has been kidnapped.”

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May 27, 2007

Taliban Frees Three Afghan Aid Workers

This is great news if confirmed:

Via AFP:

KABUL - Taleban militants have freed three Afghan hostages who were abducted with their two French colleagues on April 3 in southern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the extremist movement said on Sunday.

“Our court and leadership council decided to free them. They were freed yesterday (Saturday),” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a telephone call from an unknown location.

Mujahid said the trio were found “not guilty”, and that there had been numerous demands for their release.

The Taleban’s web page said: “Two French workers were released a month ago. Last night three Afghans — Hazrat, M. Hashem and Ghulam Rosl — have been released in Nimroz province without any compensation.”

The French embassy in Kabul declined to comment.

UPDATE: French minister confirms three Afghan hostages freed

more...

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May 23, 2007

Body Found in Iraq Identified as Missing Soldier

Via AP:

TORRANCE, Calif. — The body of a U.S. soldier found in the Euphrates River in Iraq was identified Wednesday as a California man who was abducted with two comrades a week and a half ago, a relative said.

Military officials told the family of Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. of Torrance that a commanding officer identified the body, but that DNA tests were still pending.

"They told us, 'We're sorry to inform you the body we found has been identified as Joe,'" said the soldier's aunt, Debbie Anzack. "I'm in disbelief."

Anzack, 20, was one of three soldiers who vanished after their combat team was ambushed May 12 about 20 miles outside of Baghdad. Five others, including an Iraqi, were killed in the ambush, subsequently claimed by al-Qaida.

more...

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Body of 1 Missing Soldier Found (UPDATED and BUMPED)

Via Reuters:

HILLA, Iraq, May 23 (Reuters) - The half-naked body of one of three missing U.S. soldiers was found on Wednesday in the Euphrates River in the town of Mussayab south of Baghdad, police said.

The U.S. military said it was investigating reports that a body had been found in a canal in the area.

Hilla police spokesman Captain Muthanna al-Maamouri said there were bullet wounds to the torso and head of the body, which was wearing U.S. Army-issue pants and boots and had a tattoo on the left arm.

Maamouri said the body had been turned over to U.S. forces.

UPDATE: VOI: Bodies of Three Kidnapped Soldiers Found

Babel, May 23, (VOI) - Iraqi police forces in Babel province found on Wednesday two bodies believed to belong to two of the kidnapped U.S. soldiers near al-Furat river in al-Musayab region, 50 km northwest of Hilla, a police source said.

"Two bodies in U.S. uniform were found by Babel police forces near al-Furat river. They bore signs of torture," the source, who asked not to be named, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). "The police handed the bodies to the U.S. army and cordoned off the area," he also said. No comment was available from the U.S. army on the incident.

H/t crosspatch in the comments.

I am heartbroken but not surprised by this development. May God comfort the famlies of these brave men, as well as all of the troops who have searching unrelentingly to find their missing comrades. RIP Spc. Alex Jimenez, Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., and Pvt. Byron Fouty.

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New Zawahiri Video Praises Mullah Dadullah's "Martyrdom"

Al-Qaeda spokesman Ayman al-Zawahiri eulogizes Dadullah as a "hero of jihad in this era and a knight among its knights." He asks Allah to "bestow his all-encompassing mercy on him and house him in His spacious gardens." Somehow I doubt that the vicious head chopper and torturer is enjoying such pleasant accomodations right now.

I will post a transcript when it becomes available.

UPDATE: Full text of transcript below the fold. Thanks to Howie for this transcript. more...

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May 20, 2007

Missing Soldiers Rumored Dead

MEMRI reports that Islamist websites are posting a rumor that two of the missing US Soldiers have been found decapitated:

According to a rumor posted on Islamist websites, the American forces have discovered the headless bodies of two of the kidnapped American soldiers.
Update: The American Forces Press Service reports that nine people believed to have been involved in the kidnappings have been captured. I suggest that the Al Franken interrogation technique be used.

Via Curt at Flopping Aces.

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Breaking : "Ambush Shooting" in Moscow, ID

Details still coming in, but there has been a shooting in Moscow, Idaho.

Ron Wright emails:

Reports indicated 70 or more rounds were fired over a period of time.

Incident began late last night when three people were shot in the parking lot of the county courthouse. Two of the victims were law enforcement officers. Don't know if related but police dispatch center is in courthouse bldg.

Either shooter was shooting from tower of church across street or later retreated to church. Police have now swept the church and found two dead. One of whom is believed to be the shooter with a semi-automatic rifle.

More info here. Live video feed here.

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May 19, 2007

Nine Suspects Detained in Search for Missing Soldiers

Via AP:

BAGHDAD (AP) - US troops widened the search for three missing American soldiers, detaining nine people in a raid today about 25 miles from where the service members were taken captive.

The military says the raid occurred in Amiriyah, west of Baghdad.

The missing soldiers are from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in northern New York.

Tribes in the Amiriyah area are related to those who live close to where the soldiers were seized May 12.

Meanwhile, the fourth soldier killed in the raid was identified:

According to officials, the fourth American soldier killed in the Mahmoudiya ambush has been identified as Sgt. Anthony Schober, and the family of the victim has been notified.

The group that reportedly kidnapped the three American soldiers may have stolen the now-identified 4th G.I.'s dog-tag, causing added difficulty in efforts to identify him.

The three missing men are Specialist Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.; Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif.; and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich. We continue to pray for their safe and swift rescue.

UPDATE: Report: At least 2 abducted GIs believed alive:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The top U.S. commander in Iraq thinks he knows who kidnapped three U.S. soldiers last weekend and believes that at least two of them are alive, the Army Times newspaper reported.

“We know who that guy is,” Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview posted Saturday on the Army Times Web site.

Petraeus did not give the man’s name but described him as “sort of an affiliate of al-Qaida. He’s the big player down in that area. We’ve tangled with him before.”

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May 16, 2007

Army Identifies Dead, Missing Soldiers

The Army has released the names of all 7 soldiers involved in Saturday's attack south of Baghdad that left four of them dead and three missing.

Via the NY Times:

Late Tuesday, the Pentagon identified three of the dead soldiers as Sgt. First Class James Connell Jr., 40, of Lake City, Tenn.; Pfc. Daniel Courneya, 19, of Nashville, Mich.; and Pfc. Christopher Murphy, 21, of Lynchburg, Va.

Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, a Fort Drum spokesman, said the Army had not yet positively identified the fourth soldier, which was why four soldiers were listed as missing — Sgt. Anthony Schober, 23, of Reno, Nev.; Specialist Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.; Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif.; and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich.

Private Anzack’s family was told Sunday that he was missing. “We’re praying that he’s alive,” said an aunt, Debbie Anzack. The military told the family that DNA test results were expected as early as Wednesday.

We pray for the comfort of the families who lost their loved ones, and for those families who must endure the pain of waiting and uncertainty. God bless those missing men and give them the strength to hang on while they await rescue.

Posted by: noburqa at 11:58 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Three Taliban Commanders Freed in Hostage Swap Killed

Three of the five Taliban commanders freed last month in exchange for kidnapped Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo were killed in the raid that took out the notorious Mullah Dadullah last weekend:

Via AP:

Mullah Dadullah, a one-legged militant who orchestrated a rash of Taliban suicide attacks and beheadings, died of gunshot wounds in a U.S.-led operation over the weekend in the southern province of Helmand.

An official with Afghanistan's intelligence service identified the three others as Mullah Shah Mansoor — Dadullah's brother — Mullah Hamdullah and Commander Ghafar. They had been freed in March in a prisoner swap for the release of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.

The prisoner swap was widely criticized in Afghanistan in part because two Afghans kidnapped with Mastrogiacomo were not freed as part of that deal and were executed by the Taliban.

The article goes on to say that Coalition forces used "modern technology" to track Dadullah down to the village where he was killed. I wonder if that included putting tracking devices on the freed terrorists? At any rate, this is good news, and shows a possibly acceptable solution to dealing with the agonizing decisions that must be made in hostage situations: do what is necessary to save the lives of the innocent victims, but ensure that the guilty parties are unable to do any more harm.

Posted by: noburqa at 04:53 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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