U.S. General David Petraeus says that a secret cell of the Jaish al-Mahdi (al-Mahdi Army) is responsible for the kidnapping of 5 British civilians last month in Baghdad, and that he believes they are the same terrorists responsible for the January Karbala massacre:

Via The Times Online (UK):

General Petraeus said that Britain and the US had suffered at the hands of the group he blamed for abducting the British hostages. He identified it as a secret cell of al-Mahdi Army, a Shia Muslim militia loyal to the firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. “We think that it is the same network that killed our soldiers in Karbala in an operation back in January,” he said. “We killed the head of that network less than a week before the operation that detained those British civilians. It was already planned and carried out by his followers. It is a secret cell of Jaish al-Mahdi [al-Mahdi Army] not all of which are under control of Moqtada al-Sadr.”

Of the cell responsible for the kidnap, he said: “They are not rank-and-file Jaish al-Mahdi. They are trained in Iran, equipped with Iranian [weapons], and advised by Iran. The Iranian involvement here we have found to be much, much more significant than we thought before. They have since about the summer of 2004 played a very, very important role in training in Iran, funding, arming.”

General Petraeus said "he believed that the men, four security guards and a consultant, were alive and added that there had been repeated attempts to free them." Prayers for the success of the search and rescue mission, and the elimination of the al-Mahdi Army. more...

Posted by: noburqa at 09:19 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 283 words, total size 2 kb.

As promised al-Furqan Media, the propaganda company for al-Qaeda and The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), has murdered the 14 Iraqis they were holding hostage. True to form, the 14 hostages were not held the three days promised by the al Qaeda front group for their demands to be met.

The Jawa Report has obtained a copy of the video. Graphic frames and video below, after extensive content warnings.

Site Institute: The Islamic State of Iraq, three days after issuing a video depicting fourteen employees of the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Defense who were indicated to have been captured in northeastern Baghdad, and making demands of the Iraqi government for their release, following the expiration of the ultimatum issued the execution video to jihadist forums today, Thursday, June 14, 2007.

The 1:30 minute clip was produced and distributed by the group's al-Furqan Foundation for Media Production. Shown are the captured men bound and blindfolded sitting in a field, the executor walking down the line shooting each with one bullet in the back of the head.

Warning Graphic Images and uncensored video of the enemy mercilessly murdering Iraqis for serving their country below. This is the true face of the 'insurgency'. more...

Posted by: Howie at 01:23 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 272 words, total size 3 kb.

1 "This is the true face of the 'insurgency'."

No. No. No.

'Freedom fighters'.

Michael said so.....

Posted by: locomotivebreath1901 at June 14, 2007 03:18 PM (Cy7OH)

2 "Al-Furqan Media Organization"
aka: "Sawt al-Jihad" (Voice of Jihad)
Hosted at the terrorist enabling Dreamhost LLC who refuses to deny the FTO access citing The US Constitutions 1st Amendment.

Hey, it's "freedom of speech" to murder 12 men on camera in the name of your religion, didn't you know?

Posted by: blackflag at June 14, 2007 03:30 PM (Mq5jS)

3 Uh actually they were held the three days promised. The first video came on Monday. The hostages were executed today. Al Qaeda always keeps it's promises in regards to deadlines. Al Qaeda in Iraq is not like the Taliban. Unfortunately they also keep their promises in regards to killing them.
 
Anyway, please fix your mistake.

Posted by: George Ramos at June 14, 2007 03:52 PM (TmLg9)

4 They all da same. Screw dem dam ragheads iraki police.

Posted by: Booger at June 14, 2007 04:13 PM (q3ikm)

5 There will come a time when this man who appears in the video as the shooter will look into a mirror and hide from his "self" the evil that we see in this video.  I don't know when or how he will work around his reality, but I know he will carry this with him to his death.

The sad part, for me, is that I found myself wishing there would be an American sniper team that had a bead on this evil asshole just as he was loading up for the first set of head shots, taking him down as he raised his pistol for the first shot, with a bullet that tore his head from his shoulders in a violent splatter of blood and debris!

I guess one could say I find this evil.  To think that early on and even today there are Americans who say we need to be more sensitive to those in the Middel East and those who cry elsewhere for Islam to be the political rule of the day!  Bullshit!  We should have capped Sadr's ass a long time ago, and all his fellow brothers.

We will see these bastards on our front doors if we're not careful.  We need to really wake up as a country, in my opinion.  Nightmares are here!

Posted by: RJ at June 14, 2007 07:46 PM (yyxO/)

6 RJ,  Amen,  will he MSM scream about human rights and go after these animals., no they will say, "It's just their culture to be murderers, bigot!"  And then they will leave the Iraqi's to suffer. Then accuse us of creatng all the problems in the middle east because we did this or didn't do that.  We are busting our ass to give Iraq a chance.  I'm not very optimistic about it, You know arabs, never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Because if they try and fail it is dishonor, so they don't really try much and bitch about how they live.  See how this works?  One of these days it will be too late....might be now.  No telling how long we'll have to stay there and kill idiots. They have quite a supply.

Posted by: Howie at June 14, 2007 08:42 PM (YHZAl)

7

ISI executes 14 men by shooting them in the back of the head. Same method North Korea, Russia, China and Nazi Germany use, used, or have used to execute "enemies" of the state. Can you say "same oppressive regimes, different timelines"? I knew you could boys and girls. Another beautiful day in the blogosphere.

Posted by: DrTheopolis at June 15, 2007 09:12 AM (9ZqGe)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

The Islamic State of Iraq is threatening to murder 14 captured Iraqi soldiers and policemen if their demands aren't met. Those are some 'freedom fighters' you got there Cindy Sheehan. Nice 'minutemen' Michael Moore.

I'm told that these 14 hostages are different than the ones that appeared on a similar video recently. Laura Mansfield has the video. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:16 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 71 words, total size 1 kb.

The Taliban released 4 Afghan medical workers kidnapped in March after President Hamid Karzai bowed to their demands to hand over the body of Mullah Dadullah, killed last month in an American airstrike. Karzai's decision came too late however for Dr. Abdul Khalil, who was beheaded yesterday.

Via Yahoo News India:

Four kidnapped Afghan health workers were released by the Taliban early Thursday morning after the body of its killed top commander Mullah Dadullah was retrieved, a caller who claimed to be a Taliban spokesman said.

The authorities sent the body to Dadullah's family at midnight Wednesday, Shahabudin Atal told over the phone from an undisclosed place.

Taliban militants set free the four health workers shortly afterwards, he added.

The spokesman did not say where the four hostages were released; he said the hostages would return to their homes 'in good health.'

He said the body of beheaded doctor Abdul Khalil was in Kajaki district of the southern Helmand province and his family could retrieve it there.

H/t George

Posted by: noburqa at 10:13 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 176 words, total size 1 kb.

Via The Telegraph: Iraq's most prominent Shia militia has emerged as the chief suspect in the kidnappings of five British nationals in Iraq.

Police security check motorists in Baghdad: SAS on alert to rescue Baghdad Britons
Iraqi police security check motorists close to the finance ministry's information section in Baghdad

Negotiations with the Mahdi Army are already under way after one of several spokesmen for the armed force under the command of the Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr claimed responsibility for the kidnappings at the finance ministry in Baghdad.

Hundreds of Iraqi and American troops raided Sadr City, Baghdad’s largest Shia neighbourhood, in an operation that ended early today. Residents said areas of Sadr City were sealed off and several arrests were made.

Iraqi forces have established a special battalion of soldiers and police officers to search for the kidnapped men. “We are conducting search operations near the site where the abduction took place,” said Brig Gen Qassim al Musawi, an Iraqi army spokesman.

“Maybe today or in the coming few days, we will find them with the help of secret intelligence.”

Via CNN: BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S.-led coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood Wednesday, including their cell leader, a U.S. military statement said.

All are believed to be members of a cell involved in weapons trafficking.

"Intelligence reports indicate the cell leader that was targeted and detained during the morning's operation is suspected of being a key weapons trafficker ... of small arms, mortars and other munitions," the military said, including "explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training."

The U.S. military has been saying for months that militants are getting the EFPs from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force and that Iraqi militants are being trained in Iran.

Damn productive for the Iranians that is.

Hat Tip: Captain Ed.

Posted by: Howie at 11:32 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 368 words, total size 3 kb.

1 They won't kill the Brit soldiers I'll wager. They want the UK to pull their troops out, plain and simple. If they torture and kill these Brit soldiers, the Brits will stay in for the long haul and the terrorists know it. But, if they show their "generosity" and release the Brits as a show of "good faith" it will get the dialogue going in the UK again to remove their troops. That's the reason why they just kill our US troops, because they know that no matter howthe peaceniks  keep crying to stop the war, they know the US Govt is committed to killing off the terrorists. That's why they don't make demands for our troops, just kill them outright.

Posted by: DrTheopolis at May 30, 2007 01:22 PM (9ZqGe)

2 Muktada ... Kill him. Now.

Posted by: Paul A'Barge at May 30, 2007 01:28 PM (T3gfS)

3 Lay this problem at the feet of Bush's Administration, specifically, those in the Pentagon who "allowed" the early "Rules of Engagement" that enabled our dear friend, Mooki, to live.

We should have killed this bastard a few years ago!

Posted by: RJ at May 30, 2007 01:52 PM (yyxO/)

4 Why is al-Sadr still breathing????
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=16834

Posted by: doriangrey at May 30, 2007 03:11 PM (XvkRd)

5 Because he has diplomatic immunity thanks to the corrupt Interior Mnistry. We stopped searching for Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie because of al-Sadr's influence. Anyway, these Brits have a better chance at living than the two missing soldiers still being held by the ISI.

Posted by: George Ramos at May 30, 2007 03:31 PM (TmLg9)

6 Damn, he is ugly.

Posted by: Jack's Smirking Revenge at May 30, 2007 03:39 PM (ou0cx)

7

Dr. Theopolis,

Are you sure you are a doctor?  Your logic is a bid convoluted.

What makes you think they really want the Brits and Americans to leave?  Why the occupation is the best recruiting tool they have working for them, and oncemore, they know that if they keep western powers stuck long enough they just might cause an economic and moral collapse - just like the USSR experienced in Afghanistan.
 
Iraq, at this point, cannot be "won."  Sooner or later boys and girls we have to face this ugly fact and hold accountable those people who led us into this mess.

 

Posted by: Bo at May 30, 2007 03:40 PM (Ywo+X)

8 I don't understand the reluctance of the administration to come right out and tell the American people that the Mullahcracy of Iran is engaged in a proxy war against the coalition in Iraq and that the bastards are using the innocent people of Iraq as human shields!?!?!?

It's time to start bombing the hell out of the IRGC bases inside Iran. I suggest starting with the following twenty terrorist training bases. [The format of each entry is, "name", "location/address", "nearest city".]


1) Imam Ali Training Garrison, Tajrish Square, Tehran,

2) Bahonar Garrison, Chalous Street, close to the dam of Karaj,

3) Qom’s Ali-Abad Garrison, Tehran-Qom highway,

4) Mostafa Khomeini Garrison, Eshrat-Abad district, Tehran,

5) Crate Camp Garrison, 40 kilometres from the Ahwaz-Mahshar
highway,

6) Fateh Qani-Hosseini Garrison, between Tehran and Qom

7) Qayour Asli Garrison, 30 kilometres from Ahwaz-Khorramshahr
highway,

Abouzar Garrison, Qaleh-Shahin district, Ahwaz, Khuzestan
province. This is the one nearest the Shiite areas of Iraq.

9) Hezbollah Garrison, Varamin, east of Tehran

10) Eezeh Training Garrison

11) Amir-ol-Momenin Garrison, Ban-Roushan, Ilam province

12) Kothar Training Garrison, Dezful Street, Shoushtar,
Khuzestan province

13) Imam Sadeq Garrison, Qom

14) Lavizan Training Centre, north-east Tehran

15) Abyek Training Centre, west of Tehran

16) Dervish Training Centre, 18 kilometres from the Ahwaz-Mahshar
highway,

17) Qazanchi Training Centre, Ravansar-Kermanshah-Kamyaran
tri-junction,

1 Beit-ol-Moqaddas University, Qom

19) Navab Safavi School, Ahwaz

20) Nahavand Training Centre, 45 kilometres from Nahavand,
western Iran

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at May 30, 2007 04:30 PM (j97MF)

9

Bo, I ain't no doctor. Dr. Theopolis was the little plastic robot hanging around Twiki's neck in the 1980's run of the Buck Rogers television show. It's just a funny name I picked because my real name is boring, kind of like using Bo as your name. I understand what you are saying though. Its just a gut feeling I have. If after all they make demands of us to leave the countries of Islam, they want us out or they want us in. It's really hard to say. Maybe each of these groups differ on what they really want. I think some of them just want money and I think most of them are fucking criminals and murderous thugs but that's a whole other argument for a different day. My instincts tell me they want the Brits out so they make the US look like we stand alone against the Middle East.

Posted by: DrTheopolis at May 30, 2007 04:35 PM (9ZqGe)

10 Sadr+.50=problem solved. This guy is even suspect by his own people. How does he do all this? His band of merry men extort $20 from each person. How do I know this? I spent 4 years in Iraq. If you don't pay, you PAY! Understand? He's not a cleric, he flunked cleric school. He is in the position because his goons prey on the poor and being uneducated, they believe his rhetoric, plus his father was well respected and had half a brain. I hate that the educated, average Iraqi has to put up with this bullshit and I'm here to tell you they do too.

Posted by: Steve at May 30, 2007 05:14 PM (wHd49)

11 Boy is Al Sadr and ugly mother******!

Lose some weight and get some dental work!

Posted by: Richard Romano at May 30, 2007 07:10 PM (iD1fP)

12 Bo be slow.

Posted by: greyrooster at June 02, 2007 12:58 AM (0CFtS)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

All 42 hostages were held in one place by al-Qaeda in Iraq.

AP via Yahoo News: BAGHDAD - U.S. forces raided an al-Qaida hide-out northeast of Baghdad on Sunday and freed 42 Iraqis imprisoned inside, including some who had been tortured and suffered broken bones, a senior U.S. military official said Sunday.

The raid was part of a 3-month-old security crackdown that included the deployment of 3,000 more U.S. troops to Diyala, a violent province north of the capital that has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks, said Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the top U.S. military spokesman in
Iraq.

Caldwell said Iraqis told U.S. forces about the hide-out: "The people in Diyala are speaking up against al-Qaida."

He said the 42 freed Iraqis marked the largest number of captives ever found in a single al-Qaida prison. Some of those freed were held for as long as four months and some had injuries from torture and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.

Posted by: Howie at 12:38 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 202 words, total size 2 kb.

FIVE IRAQI HOSTAGES FREED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Five Iraqis who were held captive and tortured by terrorists were freed Monday morning during a Coalition Forces raid on the site where they were imprisoned.

Coalition Forces targeted the building northeast of Karmah during continued operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda network operating in the area. After a thorough search of the building, ground forces found a padlocked room. Inside were four men and a boy who had been kidnapped and severely beaten with chains, cables and hoses. The four captives also showed signs of torture, and the boy stated the terrorists had hooked electrical wires to his tongue and shocked him.

Coalition Forces evacuated the five individuals and provided treatment for their injuries. The hostages indicated their captors were foreign fighters who spoke with different accents. The hostages, who are from different tribes, will be turned over to their respective tribal leaders for repatriation.

“The brutality and viciousness of these acts demonstrate the complete disregard terrorists have for human life,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to hunt foreign fighters who bring this violence into Iraq.”

Source MNF-Iraq.

Posted by: Howie at 02:51 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 194 words, total size 1 kb.

I already knew that the three Christians murdered in Turkey by jihadists were first tortured for their faith. What I didn't know was that the sadistic bastards also videotaped them. Had they not been caught in the act, it is very likely that they would have used the gruesome and disgusting snuff film as propaganda distributed on the internet. A warning dhimmi Christians to know their place.

Persecution.org:

On the day of the killing, the young Muslim men had arranged to meet the Christians at 10:00 am to ostensibly learn more about the Bible.....

They arrived, and reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The young men tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman’s hands and feet to chairs as they videoed their work on their cellphones....

They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and anuses were sliced open. Possibly the worst part was watching as their brothers were likewise tortured. Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur’s stabs were too numerous to count. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:04 AM | Comments (27) | Add Comment
Post contains 279 words, total size 2 kb.

1 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at April 27, 2007 12:53 PM (j97MF)

2 But if the United States would just get out of Iraq, these things would NEVER be happening... oh... wait a minute... never mind. But anyway, somehow, it must be Bush's fault.

Posted by: geobandy at April 27, 2007 01:01 PM (5jnES)

3

Such brutal and senseless killings. They are not human in any sense of the word....spit...

Posted by: allahakchew at April 27, 2007 01:11 PM (BrndJ)

4 These are murderers, plain and simple.  They hae no regard for life--and we have people in this country who want to negotiate! 

I pray that the Turkish system will give some justice to these killers.

Posted by: Richard Romano at April 27, 2007 01:34 PM (iD1fP)

5 why do we keep putting up with such brutality from a godforsaken race of people that are not even human?  arabs, persians, africans, and all other lower forms of life that abide by this muslim satanism must be destroyed.

i personally pray to Jesus that i will be alllowed to cut the throats of thousands of muslim babies before i am called home.

God Bless America

Posted by: Alan Jay Robertson at April 27, 2007 01:35 PM (DCZ7U)

6 Alan Jay Robertson doesn't care to consider that he will be killing many people who are Christian, or tolerant, or who favor western ways, if we were to act as irresponsably as he suggests!  Race is not the issue.  Bad upbringing is the issue, on the level of whole cultures. Race and culture sometimes overlap, byut they are not the same. The most basic background in Anthropology, going back before all the PC bullcrap, makes that clear.  Racism like 'Alan's' is non-intellectual. It needs to be confronted.                
             
                USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 27, 2007 01:49 PM (2OHpj)

7 #5 Back again I see.

Posted by: allahakchew at April 27, 2007 01:49 PM (BrndJ)

8 "i personally pray to Jesus that i will be alllowed to cut the throats of thousands of muslim babies before i am called home."
 
Well unless you are planning on being around for the Tribulation you may not get your prayer answered.
 
I am with you though. If the Islamic Pigs ever rise up in American Cities, they will find themselves in a world of hurt.
 

 

Posted by: America's Last Stand at April 27, 2007 02:04 PM (ahZvE)

9 the Rapture is imminent indeed.  i would bet it will occur before 2010.  then we will see what the filthy muslim pigs get during the tribulation along with all the heathen sodomites inside the USA.

God Bless America

Posted by: Alan Jay Robertson at April 27, 2007 02:22 PM (DCZ7U)

10 Alan Jay,
 
     Assuming, of course, that Christianity isn't just the lunatic ravings of a self-appointed interpreter of Jesus' life. Funny how it's Paul, a Temple Guard who may well have helped to whip Jesus, and who almost certainly witnessed the crucifixion, who suddenly "discovers" Jesus divinity.......
 
   Sounds more to me like someone with a traumatized soul trying to justify his actions to himself and his fellow Roman Citizens. Ah well...
 
   We'll all know soon enough what's what.

Posted by: Gwedd at April 27, 2007 02:29 PM (crHGf)

11 I smell a Moby.

Posted by: Insomniac at April 27, 2007 03:46 PM (UYKDB)

12 Gwedd,  Please try not to lump me in with "Alan".   Jefferson thought well enough of Christ to collect him into a 'Jefferson Bible',  so count 'Alan' as an abberation. I don't know any Christians personally, who talk like him, and I don't know any Christians who endorse the Westboro lunacy!   Not going to preach, but just asking you to take it easy          USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 27, 2007 03:58 PM (2OHpj)

13 Frankly, I am worried we are becoming use to this news. I just was thinking about it &  came to the conclusion of ...wow...This is worlds away and not in our vicinity. What happens when it starts happening here? We have congress that is so worried about their seats they may pick up that the war is a mere mention. To hell with our soldiers as what is important is Power. Power for what? Blinky and Pinky need to sober up and I am afraid they do not realize they are drunk. Sorry, just venting.

Posted by: allahakchew at April 27, 2007 04:00 PM (BrndJ)

14 Allan J, you are a first-class kook--people like you are a disgrace, just like the kooks at Westboro.

You should be ashamed for your screed--your black heart is on par with the terrorist murderers we're fighting over there.  Shame on you!

Posted by: Richard Romano at April 27, 2007 07:35 PM (iD1fP)

15 Alan J:

Jesus was right when He spoke about you, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:23).

Posted by: Richard Romano at April 27, 2007 07:38 PM (iD1fP)

16

Michael: Racism needs to be confronted but not the muslims?

 

 

You friggin idiots are more concerned about a nutcase than you are about the muslims monsters who did this act to innocent people. Friggin  politically correct woosies. So brainwashed about racism and bigotry you can't even address the real issue. Holy shit! With people like you the muslims may win. THE ISSUE IS TORTURE, MURDER AND INHUMAN BEHAVIOR BY THE MUSLIMS. Not the behavior of nutcase Allan. He didn't kill anyone, he didn't torture anyone. He's just a nutcase. But the nutcase can lead you dorks around like he has a ring in your noses. You responces are the same as any ultra liberal lefturd blog. I going to the boat launch. Those uneducated rednecks are head and shoulders above most of you. And they're drunk.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 27, 2007 09:01 PM (7p5VY)

17 Another thing I've noticed. All the hoopla about Don Imus saying napped headed ho. He did this, he said that. He should be fired. Blah, blah.
 
 
 
 
Yesterday in New York they arrested a 44 year old nappy headed asshole for beating and robbing a 100 year old woman. Hit her so hard he broke her cheek bone. Also did the same to a 85 year old woman. NOT ONE WORD ABOUT IT. Don Imus said nappy headed ho. The black attacked, robbed and beat two old white ladies. Yet Imus is persecuted a thousand times more. Where's the outrage? Where's the terrorist Al Sharpton? Where's your comments? Is the average American as scared of muslims as they are of Al Sharpton and company? I have found the enemy and the enemy is guess who. Most of you can find him in the mirror.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 27, 2007 10:17 PM (7p5VY)

18 Yes, all of you who remain silent and allow this blathering idiot, racist to make a mockery of the murder of 3 Christians by twisting it into his own sick little agenda are guilty of being the enemy of what's right. This simple dolt is correct on one thing, you're all afraid, afraid to admit that you're just as racist as he is. But then these poor souls were butchered for trying to make the world a better place, not because of what race they happened to be. In fact, you don't know from the story what race they are, because it really doesn't matter does it? They were just murdered for what they believed.  You had better all keep your mouths shut and hide in your holes, because look what happens when you try to make the world a better place by sharing a message of love amoung men. The proof of that is about to follow...

Posted by: Sir Berus at April 27, 2007 10:39 PM (KZCZ4)

19 Rusty, I'm disappointed in you for casting such a negative, racist
light on those poor, sweet, innocent muslims, who want nothing but to
fly kites and rescue kittens.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at April 28, 2007 09:51 AM (Y9N/d)

20 Fear is the word. Fear the muslims. Fear Al Sharpton. Both of them are terrorists. What he hell do you think the black muslims and black panthers are? They're terrorists. But ignore the killers you are so afraid of. It's safer to dismiss the subject and attack a whacko instead of the real enemy. 

Posted by: greyrooster at April 28, 2007 04:47 PM (q7s2f)

21 RELIGION: Seems to have a monopoly on murder, terrorism, racism, child molesting and the desire to kill or conquer others.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 28, 2007 04:53 PM (q7s2f)

22 Religion. Is there any other reason people are killing, torturing, degrading, dehumanizing each other? Answer please. Or just say master, I am ready to learn the truth.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 29, 2007 12:21 AM (x+qDi)

23 money. day after day.

Posted by: davec at April 30, 2007 12:42 AM (63hdl)

24 "Answer please"  Godless Communism!              USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 30, 2007 10:34 PM (2OHpj)

25 "but not the muslims?"     Please don't presume I'm unwilling to confront threats to my Country no matter the source!       USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 30, 2007 10:37 PM (2OHpj)

26 Who are the Godless communist killing these days? Any Americans?

Posted by: greyrooster at May 01, 2007 01:15 PM (qqhSD)

27 Godless communist and the KKK. Sounds good, but it's bullshit. More killed yesterday in Americas cities by blacks than by GODLESS communists and the KKK.

Posted by: greyrooster at May 01, 2007 01:17 PM (qqhSD)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Will Chinese citizens stand up and screech "NO BLOOD FOR OIL!!!?"

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Scores of gunmen attacked a Chinese-run oil field in a remote area of Ethiopia on Tuesday, killing nine Chinese and 65 Ethiopians, in a raid claimed by a separatist rebel group.

Seven Chinese workers were also kidnapped in the dawn attack by the Ogaden National Liberation Front, which is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis in Ethiopia's eastern Ogaden region.

Nah, they'd get shot.

Supporting our enemies will get you nowhere, China. They want to kill you too.

Not that common sense ever creeped into the head of your average Communist. But hey, I try.

Posted by: Vinnie at 12:08 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 117 words, total size 1 kb.

The al Qaed umbrella organization, The Islamic State of Iraq, has released a video showing the murder of 20 hostages. The Jawa Report has obtained a copy of the video. The graphic video and images from it are posted below.

The six minute video produced by al Qaeda in Iraq's media arm, al Furqan, shows the 20 captives wearing Iraq Army and police uniforms lined up. Several of the hostages are seen 'confessing'. One of the hostages urges his men to abandon the fight against Sunni terrorists. The hostages are then seen lined up outside and then shot one by one. Townhall, apparently relying on SITE, describes it this way:

The video shows a masked gunman walking down the row of captives, who had been blindfolded with their hands bound behind their backs. He shoots them one by one, sending each tumbling forward as two other masked militants walk alongside him, carrying a black banner of the Islamic State of Iraq.

A spokesman for the Iraqi Interior Ministry says that no police or army soldiers have gone missing. The spokesman claimed this was an elaborate hoax by al Qaeda. I cannot determine whether or not these were soldiers and policemen just by the uniforms. But in any event, these men were murdered.

Either they were civilians murdered by al Qaeda or, in the case of the army members, they were captured combatents murdered. Geneva Conventions?

Warning: Graphic video and images of what the so-called 'resistance' and 'insurgents' in Iraq are really like. They are bloody barbarians. Any one who would dare equivocate between the abuses at Abu Ghraib by soldiers who are being criminally prosecuted (more than 20) and the outright murders by the Iraqi 'resistance' who then produce sophisticated propaganda videos celebrating those murders, is a moral fool and an enemy of civilization. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 10:49 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
Post contains 439 words, total size 4 kb.

The al Qaeda front group which calls itself "The Islamic State in Iraq" has murdered 20 Shia hostages. An announcement at an Islamist forum today indicated that "the rule of Allah" had fallen on the 20 hostages, a reference to the death penalty which is the Islamic punishment for apostasy.

Al Qaeda in Iraq had demanded that the Iraqi government release all women prisoners in exchange for the hostages' lives. A series of propaganda videos produced by Sunni terrorists claim that a woman named Sabrin al-Janabi was raped by Shia government forces recently. The 20 were taken hostage and then murdered in retribution for the alleged event.

Only one hostage, a policeman named Yaseen Mezher Hussain, was positively identified from a series of nine photos al Qaeda released of the hostages.

Expect a video from these barbarians. There is a distinct possibility that al Qaeda in Iraq is returning to beheading videos as a terror tactic now that they feel their grip on the Sunni populace slipping.

On a related note, my good friend Rocco diPippo has an important essay on what will happen if we prematurely leave Iraq. Many of his friends will meet the same fate, namely a gruesome murder at the hands of Salafi extremists, if we leave now.

UPDATE: Interesting....Iraqi government spokesman claiming that no police are missing. Is this an elaborate hoax on the part of al Qaeda? Are these civilians nabbed off the street and then put into uniforms? Or is the Iraqi Interior Ministry wrong? Press TV:

"The 'Islamic State of Iraq' is claiming it kidnapped a number of police. We checked the report and we found out it was untrue. It is a misleading report," said Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf....

Khalaf, however, said "it is funny that they are speaking about kidnapping... Our police reports say no policemen are missing."

Hat tip:Thalja more...

Posted by: Rusty at 01:40 PM | Comments (22) | Add Comment
Post contains 334 words, total size 2 kb.

My anti-mullah friend emails:

Hi Vinnie,
This is from Radio Israel's Persian Service April 14th report.
A defector from the U.S. to the Mullahcracy (yes, you read it correctly) who goes by the name
"Davood Salah-eddin" claims to have met Mr. Levinson the U.S. citizen who recently went missing
on the Iranian island of Kiesh. The meeting is reported to have taken place on that very island.

A bit of background on Mr "Davood Salah-eddin": This guy is an African-American who converted to
Islam (in the 1970's I believe). Shortly after the Islamist-Marxist revolt of 1979, he was recruited by
a Muslim Iranian-born naturalized U.S. citizen to assassinate an anti-Mullah Iranian activist by the name
Ali-Akbar Taba'Tabaii; a mission which he carried out successfully. Subsequently Mr. Salah-eddin made his way to Iran
to escape U.S. justice and has been living there since.

Qatar's English paper is running the same story.

Weird.

Posted by: Vinnie at 03:01 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 152 words, total size 1 kb.

The al Qaeda front group known as The Islamic State of Iraq has released photos of 20 Shia hostages. They are recycling the demand, heard from al Qaeda in Iraq on numerous occasions over the past 4 years, that all Sunni women be relased from prisons within two days or else the hostages will be killed.

Ten pictures accompanied the Islamic State of Iraq statement (examples below). One of those pictures identifies one of the hostages as Yaseen Mezher Hussain. None of the other hostages were identified.

The kidnappings of the nearly two dozen Iraqi security forces are claimed to be in response to allegations that a Sunni woman, Sabrin al-Janabi, was raped which has caused outrage among Sunni circles. Most of that outrage is being feuled by al Qaeda itself through various propaganda it has produced.

A related group, Ansar al Sunna, has already murdered three hostages over the same allegation. There may be some kind of pissing match going on between Ansar al-Sunnah and al Qaeda in Iraq over who can kill the most hostages. Just a couple of days ago Ansar issued a lengthy statement on why they would not join al Qaeda's umbrella organization. The statement amounted to "you're not the boss of us al Qaeda."

Tensions have become quite real between the two organizations since the death of Iraq's #1 hostage killer, Abu Musab al Zarqawi. Zarqawi had a working relationship with Ansar al Sunna and the two groups often cooperated, one time even coproducing a hostage murder video. Both groups share a common terror lineage in that Zarqawi was originally in Iraq to help Ansar al-Islam. After that groups destruction, the Kurdish elements formed Ansar al Sunna and the Arab elements, led by Zarqawi, formed Tawhid wal Jihad---later renamed "al Qaeda". But ever since al Qaeda tried to organize all Salafi terrorists under one umbrella group, there has been tension.

Perhaps al Qaeda is feeling a bit upstaged?

We've seen al Qaeda in Iraq's work in the past. Unfortunately, these poor victims have little hope. Seeing these images make me hope that there is a hell. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 06:31 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
Post contains 364 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Can't believe you think these murdering assholes have contests with each other. As usual you apply civilized thinking to animals without that ability. Muslims are brainwashed by their gutter religion. It's that simple.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 15, 2007 07:21 AM (2J0r9)

2 Don Ho is dead. Michael Moore is alive. SUCKS.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 15, 2007 08:10 AM (2J0r9)

3 This sucks. "who can murder more people" contest.

Posted by: allahakchew at April 15, 2007 09:08 AM (BrndJ)

4 "We plan to murder 2 of them the first day and 18 the second.  We were going to murder them evenly, but I've got to go to little Mohammed's <i>Jihadi</i> recital tonight and Fatima needed a ride to the market to get more goat's milk, so our schedule is tied up in knots..."
 
This is all normal, isn't it?  I mean, all cultures and value systems are equal, right?

Posted by: K T Cat at April 15, 2007 09:36 AM (KDU/K)

5 Whoops.  I used HTML tags instead of the toolbar right in front of me.  What a dope!  Sorry about that.

Posted by: K T Cat at April 15, 2007 09:37 AM (KDU/K)

6 It's OK I can read that   Glad to see comments are up now.  A storm knocked the whole sitedown last night.  End result things are better. We're like a bad cold, we just keep coming back..... 

Posted by: Howie at April 15, 2007 11:48 AM (YHZAl)

7 I say kill all the bitches and see how Al Qaeda like that...............Every time they take a hostage and make a demand we should execute a bunch of prisoners. See how they like it when we play by their rules..............
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=16834

Posted by: doriangrey at April 15, 2007 12:13 PM (XvkRd)

8 Note how many in these pics have those wonderful "we are serious men" moustaches!  It must be fun to capture new cops in Iraq.  Does that tell us about the local citizenry support of the police?  Send our troops to capture their best looking women, then let's get the hell outa there!  Leave these real men, these really smart--god lovin' and fearin' moustacheod macho men to learn how to kill or love each other.  Give'm copies of "Brokeback Mountain" to show them how real men in America behave when surrounded by sheep.  Or John Wayne's  "Green Berets" for a more muscled story.  Hell, I'll bet if we just send fliers out informing the Iraqi women that they can come over to the American side and receive a free trip to America and move to the head of the line for citizenry...well, I am getting lonely here building my bomb shelter, a little female company does make sense, right?  Right!

Posted by: RJ at April 15, 2007 02:54 PM (yyxO/)

9 Little hope??? They have no hope what so ever in regards of living. These men are dead meat and they know that. Their only hope is they get bullets to the head instead of having their head sawn off.

Posted by: George Ramos at April 15, 2007 04:06 PM (TmLg9)

10 #6 Howie, Ahh now I know what happened. Thanx for the info! As to this post There is nothing we can do to change to jihadist minds. They deal in their own "shock and awe". Their souls have been taken over by hatred against the west. Mohammed is their leader and by the info on him is "one hell of a leader", pervert, etc. To us a beheading "is beyond belief". To them it is a every day occurance. They are going to try everything to scare the shit out of anyone who dares side with the US, including us. The fight is in Iraq and Afghanistan and everyone who believes in the jihadist cause are going to such. I would like to know what is going to happen when the dems do cut off funding......are they going to go after our right to bear arms? This whole situations sucks and I do not plan on getting sucked in!

Posted by: allahakchew at April 15, 2007 04:16 PM (BrndJ)

11 I think 10 a day is nothing more or less than a typical day for al Queda in Iraq. That would be 300 per month or about 10 or 20 percent of the the reported (i.e. brought to the morgue) iraqi casualties

Posted by: John Ryan at April 15, 2007 08:19 PM (jDdro)

12 let me guess what you're trying to say John, I'm guessing the subtext is: the other 80-90% are killed by American imperial nazi baby-killing jackbooted storm-troopers right fucktard?
hey just doing the math.

Posted by: davec at April 15, 2007 10:49 PM (63hdl)

13 Nice morning until that sniveling litte commie faggot John Ryan made his appearance.

Posted by: greyrooster at April 16, 2007 04:37 AM (NUi04)

14 For what it's worth Bill Roggio has reported recently that the IAI has officially split from "AQ in Iraq". They are no less blood thirsty than they were, now they are just trying to kill AQ members as well.

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/04/islamic_army_of_iraq.php

Posted by: blackflag at April 16, 2007 09:42 AM (Mq5jS)

15 Michael Moore's minutemen doing him proud.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 16, 2007 10:23 AM (8e/V4)

16 Infovlad. There I said it.
 
 
http://clearinghouse.infovlad.net/showthread.php?t=6463

Posted by: William Clark at April 19, 2007 11:46 AM (TmLg9)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

It was one year ago today that Liliana Ake went public with her story on CNN. at that time no one had heard any word from Jeff’s kidnappers in 11 months. Sadly, there is still no word of what happened to him.

We have been following the story from the beginning. I learned many things about him and his family. Jeff owned a company called Equipment Express specialized in bringing safe drinking water to parts of the world where it was needed. His first effort to bring safe bottle water to Iraq in November 2003 was a success. One of his friends has taken Jeff’s methods home to Nigeria.

On Jeff’s second trip to Iraq in April 2005, he was taken hostage. His kidnappers released a couple videos of Jeff. They even called Liliana’s home, but the calls stopped and Jeff’s fate is unknown as of this time.

Being from a small mid-western town, the images of La Porte reminded me so much of my home that I felt a kinship with Mr. Ake and the people of La Porte. It was just like so many of the small friendly towns that dot the mid-west.

We have been hoping that Jeff’s case would turn out similar to Roy Hallums and a reunion would be swift in coming. But the last year has not yielded his release or any new information.

Jeff’s company was liquidated this year and a fund was started to help Liliana and her four children to keep the Ake family’s home. The fund raising so far has been successful despite small number of outlets (about nine) that ran the story. Donations are still being accepted. More information on how and where to make donations can be found below the fold in this post.

We pray for Jeff’s safe and unconditional release As Rusty said in one of his posts, “No political cause can ever justify the taking of civilians hostage. It is a form of barbarity with no excuse.”

Here is a list of hostages still missing and held by terrorists via Vicki at Not Ready for my Burqua. There are many more missing, especially in Iraq, who's storys are unknown.

Eric Damfreville, Salma, and 3 Afghan aid workers
Alan Johnston
Hannelore Marianne Krause and her son Sinan al-Tornachi
8 Ethiopians kidnapped with the Embassy workers
4 South African contractors kidnapped in Baghdad
An American contractor kidnapped in Basra
Jonathan Cote
Paul Reuben
Bert Nussbaumer
John Young
Josh Munns
Dean Sadek
Aban Elias
Jeffrey Ake
Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie --- The missing U.S. soldier in Baghdad
Ron Arad
Gilad Shalit
Ehud Goldwasser
Eldad Regev

Posted by: Howie at 01:01 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 515 words, total size 4 kb.

A training video from the Popular Resistance Committee, a Palestinian group, on how to kidnap and take hostages. Video here.

YNET:

The internet site of Salah Al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, released a video clip Monday night showing some of the members of the unit that kidnapped Gilad Shalit training for the operation in Kerem Shalom....

The film displays two members of the unit who were assigned to attack the IDF post and prepare the ground for a second cell which carried out the kidnapping....

Posted by: Rusty at 08:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 93 words, total size 1 kb.

It looks like the murder of translator Adjmal Nakshbandi on Easter Day has struck a raw nerve in Afghanistan: according to Reuters, a leading newspaper, Arman-e-Millie, has called on the government of President Hamid Karzai to begin executing Taliban prisoners instead of releasing them in hostage swaps.

"Martyring Ajmal Naqshbandi and their other crimes happen as the government shows extreme leniency towards Taliban prisoners," the daily Arman-e-Millie said in an editorial.

"There has been no implementation of punishment for any criminal and killer Taliban who has been sentenced to heavy punishment by the judicial authorities," it said. "From now on, criminal Taliban should be executed."

The Karzai government has been criticized for allegedly bowing to pressure from Italy to release five captured Taliban fighters in exchange for the life of kidnapped journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, abducted in Helmand province on March 6, and freed 2 weeks later. Nakshbandi was supposed to freed as part of the Mastrogiacomo deal, but the Taliban held on to him, demanding two more prisoners be released. The government refused, and Adjmal was beheaded this past Sunday.

Karzai condemned the execution and said Naqshbandi's release was part of the deal involving the Italian journalist.

"While efforts were going on from the government side for his release, this human killer group murdered him mercilessly," a presidential palace statement quoted Karzai as saying.

Meanwhile, the Taliban hold at least 10 other captives, and have threatened to start executing them if more Taliban prisoners are not released. An Afghan doctor, identified only as Khalilullah, is scheduled to be killed on April 15. Four other medical workers were abducted with Khalilulah on March 27. Two French aid workers, Eric Damfreville and a woman identified as Salma, were kidnapped along with three Afghan assistants from the Terre d'Enfance school on April 3. We continue to pray for their safe release and for the safety of all humanitarian workers in Afghanistan.

UPDATE: An opposition senator in the Italian Parliament has called for the impeachment of Prime Minister Romano Prodi over the handling of the Mastrogiacomo abduction. It was revealed on Monday that the government paid $2 million in ransom for kidnapped photographer Gabriele Torsello last fall, and that Italy had strong-armed Pakistan into forcing Afghanistan to go along with the prisoner swap for Mastrogiacomo. Prodi does not deny it, but says that he followed guidelies set by the previous administration of Silvio Berlusconi.

"The negotiations for the freeing of hostages have been conducted in a correct way and in tight collaboration with the Afghan government," it said. "Our priority has always been one: saving human lives."

An opposition senator, Roberto Calderoli, accused the Government of discriminating between Italian and Afghan hostages and called for Mr Prodi to be impeached.

"The Government negotiated in a discriminatory fashion, rushing to save what they saw as the A-league hostage and leaving the other, second-class captives to their tragic destiny," he told reporters.

Posted by: noburqa at 02:05 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
Post contains 493 words, total size 4 kb.

A French aid worker named Eric Damfreville is being held hostage by the Taliban. Another French aid worker only identified as Salma is also being held hostage.

These hostages have families and friends. Please do not forget them. The media has. They have names. We are the only news outlet in the world that has named Eric Damfreville. I have no idea why.

Damfreville is a humanitarian, a child welfare activist, an educator, and a blogger. He was in rural Afghanistan educating and helping children recover from 20 years of war. Do not forget him.

His name is Eric Damfreville. His name is Eric Damfreville. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 06:04 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 162 words, total size 1 kb.

The Ministry of Defence has given its permission for the British sailors and marines kidnapped and released by the Iranian mullahcracy to cash in on their experience:

Captured sailor Faye Turney and her fellow hostages were accused of 'behaving like reality TV stars' after being given permission to cash in on their ordeal.

The 15 sailors and Marines have been told they can sell their stories to the media by the Ministry of Defence, which bracketed the "exceptional circumstances" surrounding their 13-day ordeal with winners of the Victoria Cross.

Posted by: Bluto at 09:41 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.

Now a tabloid (?) published in Dubai is claiming that Robert Levinson may not be held hostage in Iran:

The disappearance of a "maverick" former FBI agent has left police and intelligence agencies confused.

Mafia specialist, Robert Levinson, was last seen on Kish Island and was believed to be in Dubai. However, senior police officials in the UAE claim to have no knowledge of Levinson.

Here's a funny juxtaposition of quotes from the article:

"We haven’t heard anything from anyone. No FBI agent has come to Dubai in this regard," Al Muzainah, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai, told XPRESS, adding: "But we will check with the US embassy."

Er..

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi has contacted Iran in an attempt to find the missing citizen.

Nothing to see here, move along. more...

Posted by: Vinnie at 12:13 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 174 words, total size 1 kb.

Galloping in on the heels of the hostages just released by Iran:

Mr Johnston was the sole western correspondent based in Gaza and had been due to leave soon. His father, Graham, has described him as "a friend of the Palestinian people"

Alan Johnston was kidnapped March 12th. By his friends the Palestinians.

The jihadist kidnap network seems to be in overdrive these days, so forgive us for missing this one. Be that as it may, we pray for the safe release of Mr. Johnston, friend of his kidnappers or not.

Posted by: Vinnie at 11:50 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 98 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Maybe other will heed this warning.  THEY don't care if you like them or not.  YOU'RE AN AMERICAN!  THEY hate you! 

Posted by: pivalleygirl at April 06, 2007 01:00 AM (x/ji8)

2 Friends of his captors, you say?

Must be preemptive Stockholm Syndrome.

Posted by: Rajan R at April 06, 2007 01:12 AM (we82f)

3 Privalleygirl. He's not American, he's British.

Good point Rajan. But, like I said, we pray for his safe release anyway.

Posted by: Vinnie at April 06, 2007 01:18 AM (BH1E/)

4 Vinnie, I know he's not American, but I was talking to Americans that like to make excuses for these terrorists.

Posted by: pivalleygirl at April 06, 2007 09:32 AM (x/ji8)

5 Ah, okie dokie. My bad.

Posted by: Vinnie at April 06, 2007 10:43 AM (BH1E/)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

UPDATE: Because one of the hostages is a blogger, his capture by the Taliban has special significance for me and possibly for many others. Please pass the word on to other bloggers about this. Keep them in your prayers and join me in demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
---------------------------

The hostages are a) French and b) aid workers, but I'm sure that many will find some reason or another to blame America.

The communique only said that the man's name was "Eric" and the woman was named "Salma". I am nearly certain that the man is Eric Damfreville, who runs the NGO. The picture on the right comes from their website. Salma?

[UPDATE: Oh my Lord. One of the hostages is a blogger. Here is Eric Damfreville's photo-blog. Last entry is April 2nd. If you look around the blog you'll see lots of photos of the kind of great work Eric and his NGO were doing.

I hate to be the one first mentioning Eric Damfreville's name in public, but my experience with hostage families has been that they would much rather have the news out there and have your prayers and well wishes on their behalf than the normal diplomatic secrecy.]

The group they work for, Terre d'Enfance (A World of Children), runs the Kôdakân e-Zamîn Children's Center. I'm not sure if this is an "interesting" fact or not, but Zarandj, the city where they work, sits on the border with Iran. Attacks from Taliban positions in Pakistan seem to be way down.

The two French hostages, and the 3 Afghans, were in the region trying to help educate children. Especially, girls.

They say this about the work they do:

By implementing solidarity programs for the development of popular education and by supportting vulnerable children, TERRE D'ENFANCE aims at improving the acknowledge and the respect of the Children's Rights, and at contributing to the building process of an active, respected and emancipated Youth.

providing girls with preferential access to education and culture

UPDATE: Howie reminds me that the Taliban are holding, at a minimum, 6 other hostages. These five Aghans (a doctor, 3 nurses, and their driver), and Mastrogiacomo's Afghan driver--looks like the Italian hostage's driver was murdered. But the translator is still hostage (thanks Vicki). His name is Adjmal Nakshbandi. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:54 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 534 words, total size 4 kb.

IRNA, the state-run news agency, says "what me, worry?"

There is no evidence on the alleged disappearance of a US citizen in Kish Island, southern Iran, local officials said on Tuesday.

IRNA reporter in Kish quoted the local officials as saying that the US is required to indicate identity of the individual and the flight he took to Iran.

"It is likely such allegations are being made for political purpose, because no tourist was disappeared in Kish Island."

Yeah, and Iran is developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Rodger via Linda. more...

Posted by: Vinnie at 09:03 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 138 words, total size 1 kb.

Iranian sources are indicating that an American missing in Iran, Robert A. Levinson, isn't really "missing", he's being "detained". I'm willing to bet that he was detained because he is a) American b) has a Jewish sounding name. Press TV (a pro-regime source) via a hat tip in the comments from Rodger Morrow:

The truth of the matter is he has been in the hands of Iranian security forces since the early hours of March 9, and his inability to communicate with his family or his company, has raised the alarm about his health, safety and whereabouts. Speaking to PRESS TV on condition of anonymity the sources made clear that aside from the obvious inconvenience, the person is being well looked after.....

The sources also said that the matter, though routine, has been complicated by the mounting tensions stemming from repeated American threats against Iran, actual ongoing covert actions within Iran run by the Americans and the particulars of the man's background with the FBI.....

His visit to Kish was supposed to be a one day affair but drew the attention of the security forces because his Iranian national host registered in the same hotel room as he did and local police thought they had discovered some discrepancy in the Iranians identification papers routinely handed into the hotel....

It is a case of ordinary business running into extraordinarily bad circumstances. It is expected the matter will be over in a few days time.

But I'm willing to bet that the one thing which led police to suspect he was "spy" had nothing to do with his FBI past. How could it? There's no way the Iranians knew this about his former life with the FBI at the time of his initial detention. No, being an American was probably enough.

But having the last name of Levinson sealed the deal. Because in Iran, being a Jew makes you automatically suspect. Jews in Iran today are forbidden from even calling Israeli relatives on the phone.

That is, if there even was a reason for picking him up. Sounds to me like this could be yet another case of the Iranians capturing a Westerner and then acting as if they are being benevolant by letting him go. The closest American might do just fine.

You know: Ignore the gun we're holding to your head. The fact that we haven't pulled the trigger is proof that we're the good guys.

Seems to be a common theme coming out of the regime these days.

We hope, as the article suggests, that he will be released ASAP.

Brian from Snapped Shot has another angle on this. He speculates that maybe Levinson was in the country working on the connection between the Iranian financing of Hezbollah through counterfeit U.S. currency. Interesting theory, I've no idea. Most accounts, though, suggest he was there in a private capacity. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 12:20 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 716 words, total size 5 kb.

I was surfing MNF's youtube site this morning and found the video below. Of course Allahpundit had beat me to it yesterday. Still, if you watch it and don't cry, you are a heartless bastage!

More here from Mary Katharine Ham at Townhall.

Kidnapping and murder of hostages by both Shia and Sunni terrorists in Iraq is a major problem. These tit-for-tat revenge kidnapping and killings only serve no purpose other than to create more hardship for all Iraqi's.

While we are on the subject of hostage rescues, I've added a couple recent press releases from centcom detailing efforts to find and reunite hostages with their families. See below the fold... more...

Posted by: Howie at 09:56 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 1089 words, total size 7 kb.

Thanks to co-blogger Vicki, here is Robert A. Levinson:

My good friend Linda joins me in asking for prayers.

Update Thanks to Rodger Morrow in the comments, nothing to see here, move along. more...

Posted by: Vinnie at 10:25 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 52 words, total size 1 kb.