The 'Army of Islam' (Jaysh al-Islam) has formed in Syria. It's an amalgamation of 43 Islamist groups to be headed by Sheikh Muhammad Zahran ibn Abdallah Alloush.
Apparently, al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham (Free Men of the Levant), and others of the same ilk did not join.
This does not bode well for Syria.
A snippet from the official announcement/ceremony where the 43 groups are named, along with a call for others to join forces.
ruminations & ramblings on life, politics, the arts, politics in the arts & world events by a republican actress
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saudi Sheikh: Driving Adversely Effects Ovaries and The Female Pelvis
Amazing what some Muslim men will do to keep women firmly under the control of the male population. We all know women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive. I think it's the only country in the world where they are prohibited from doing so, even though there's no valid "Islamic" reason why they shouldn't. In fact, in a recent statement, Sheikh Abdulatif Al al-Sheikh, the chief of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, said that Sharia law does not prohibit women from driving.
Not that this will necessarily change things any time soon in the Saudi Kingdom, but it's a promising turn of events, and women are continuing to lobby (as they have been for a very long time) for permission to drive. There's even an online campaign- oct26driving.com- set for October 26, where Saudi women are being urged to get in a car and drive, and are demanding they be given driving tests and licences if they pass.
In response, we now have some loon telling women that driving will cause female problems. Yep, Sheikh Saleh bin Saad al-Luhaydan told women that he believes that if they drive,
Al Arabiya has some good responses from the Twittersphere.
“Islamic sharia does not have a text forbidding women driving."
Not that this will necessarily change things any time soon in the Saudi Kingdom, but it's a promising turn of events, and women are continuing to lobby (as they have been for a very long time) for permission to drive. There's even an online campaign- oct26driving.com- set for October 26, where Saudi women are being urged to get in a car and drive, and are demanding they be given driving tests and licences if they pass.
In response, we now have some loon telling women that driving will cause female problems. Yep, Sheikh Saleh bin Saad al-Luhaydan told women that he believes that if they drive,
“.. [it]could have a reverse physiological impact. Physiological science and functional medicine studied this side [and found] that it automatically affects ovaries and rolls up the pelvis. This is why we find for women who continuously drive cars their children are born with clinical disorders of varying degrees."The good Sheikh happens to be a judicial and psychological consultant of some sort, to the Gulf Psychological Association.
Al Arabiya has some good responses from the Twittersphere.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Florida Teen Arrested For Helping Needy Goodwill Shoppers
There are some charities that actually do help people, others not so much. The CEO's get hefty salaries and in some cases only a few pennies of every donated dollar actually gets to the intended recipients. Then there's companies like Goodwill. That thrift store chain that gets donated items and sells them for inflated prices, while paying some of its disabled workers (who they are supposed to be helping) a measly .22 cents per hour. And guess how much Goodwill International CEO Jim Gibbons makes per annum: a whopping $729,000. And get this, Goodwill is a national franchise operation, so there are other CEO's, some of whom are taking home equally fat paychecks. Add all their salaries together and they earn $30 million or so every year. Apparently, not all of the franchisees pay their disabled employees such a paltry sum, but it's not much more than that. They can do this legally by exploiting some labor law loophole, and feel they are doing these people a favor. What they're doing is making a profit off of donated items and cheap labor. Goodwill is actually a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
So the story of a young man who worked at a Naples, Florida Goodwill is outrageous.
Andrew had no idea what he was doing was illegal:
The store did eventually decide to drop charges- after public outcry, I'm sure- because it was "not for personal gain," and had this to say about the $4,000 worth of discounts the kid gave to those needy people.
Oh, really? Thousands of dollars of profit on goods Goodwill received for free?? How about taking some of the money from those CEO salaries and using it to fund those programs?
What a joke. The kid didn't steal, he didn't give the items away for free, he simply gave those needy customers a discount.
Goodwill has been scratched off my donation list.
So the story of a young man who worked at a Naples, Florida Goodwill is outrageous.
Andrew Anderson, 19, was heartbroken by some of the people who came in to the store "wearing all of the clothes they had," so he would give the neediest shoppers discounts of up to 50 percent on the necessities they bought. But when store officials learned what Anderson was doing, their small hearts didn't exactly grow three sizes: They fired him and reported him to sheriff's deputies, who arrested him for grand theft.
"What I did was with all good intentions," Anderson told WBBH News. "The intent I had was to help people." Anderson said he never pocketed a dollar and has offered to pay Goodwill for the difference between the actual prices and what he charged, but the company is intent on pressing charges. "Our stores are not around to give a handout — they're around to give people a hand up by providing funding," local spokeswoman Kirsten O'Donnell said. "In incidents like this, we always prosecute."Unbelievable.
Andrew had no idea what he was doing was illegal:
“I wasn’t actually stealing. Goodwill is a giving and helping company, so I took it upon to myself to be giving and helping because I feel people deserve it.”
The store did eventually decide to drop charges- after public outcry, I'm sure- because it was "not for personal gain," and had this to say about the $4,000 worth of discounts the kid gave to those needy people.
“The thousands of dollars given away could have been used to fund our programs, including our school dedicated solely for youth with intellectual disabilities."
Oh, really? Thousands of dollars of profit on goods Goodwill received for free?? How about taking some of the money from those CEO salaries and using it to fund those programs?
What a joke. The kid didn't steal, he didn't give the items away for free, he simply gave those needy customers a discount.
Goodwill has been scratched off my donation list.
Friday, September 27, 2013
No Halal For Hong Kong McDonald's, KFC or Pizza Hut
There will be no halal in Hong Kong outlets of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), MacDonald's or Pizza Hut in spite of some heavy duty lobbying by Hong Kong's Mufti Muhammad Arshad.
Arshad is right. They probably will eventually cave, for the bottom line.
Read the rest here.
Arshad said he sent letters to the fast-food chains, but McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut all said that they had no plans to introduce halal meat in their outlets. But Arshad said it would be only a matter of time before they signed up, as McDonald's and KFC served halal food in other Asian markets, such as Singapore.With a population of about 7 million people, 250,000 or so are Muslim.
Halal certification of restaurants began in Singapore in the mid-1990s. Singaporean food blogger Daniel Ang says that the likes of Le Steak, a new halal steakhouse in the Jalan Kayu district, has been "packing the crowds in" at the weekends. In Hong Kong there are already halal outlets at Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.
"It's disappointing that we could not convince the companies," Arshad said. "It doesn't have to be Hong Kong-wide. In the main areas, like Central, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, the New Territories and at the airport, it would be a great service. The companies have to realise there is a need for this and that it is good business for them."
Arshad is right. They probably will eventually cave, for the bottom line.
Read the rest here.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Pro-Morsi Islamist Tries To Set Colleague On Fire Over Pro-Egyptian Army Ringtone
Don't like your colleague's politics- set them on fire. That's what an Egyptian pro-Morsi Islamist tried to do to a female co-worker after he heard the pro-army ringtone blaring from her cell phone.
Not that something as bizarre as this hasn't happened in this country. The last presidential election raised the hackles of many a voter on both sides of the fence, including the Arizona woman who ran over her husband for not voting, blaming him for another four years with Barack Obama.
The newspaper said the 23-year-old woman had told the police that her colleague started insulting her after he heard the ringtone. He then attempted to set her on fire by dousing her in petrol.
The suspect reportedly works in a pharmaceutical company and frequently got into big arguments with his coworker for using a ringtone praising the Egyptian army.
The song “Tislam al-Ayade” or “May God Reward the hands” gained massive popularity among Egyptians after the army, led by Egypt's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, toppled Mursi on July 3, sparking a violent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood supporters and officials.
Not that something as bizarre as this hasn't happened in this country. The last presidential election raised the hackles of many a voter on both sides of the fence, including the Arizona woman who ran over her husband for not voting, blaming him for another four years with Barack Obama.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
School Kids Suspended For Playing Airsoft Gun In Own Front Yard
So a couple of 7th graders in Virginia Beach have been suspended (and possibly expelled for the rest of the school year) for playing with an airsoft gun- whatever the heck they are. Were they doing this on school grounds? No. It was in the front yard of one of those kids- Khalid Caraballo- while a group of willing participants waited for their bus to arrive.
The two suspended upon arrival at school.
What?
Zero tolerance going way too far.
The two suspended upon arrival at school.
What?
Zero tolerance going way too far.
Kim Jong-un Blows Up Dennis Rodman In Bizarre Pistachio Commercial
This is probably one of the most bizarre commercials I have seen in a while. Dennis Rodman and a slightly more svelte Kim Jong-un look-alike pitching pistachios.
Yeah, this would inspire me to go buy a bag.
Yeah, this would inspire me to go buy a bag.
Monday, September 23, 2013
78 Christians Killed In Pakistani Church Bombing, And Other Massacres This Past Week
Every week there are major acts of violence rooted in Islam. Sometimes it's Muslim on Muslim violence, other times the targets are people of other religions.
This past week was no exception.
At least 78 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Christian church in Peshawar, Pakistan, this weekend. Of 100 or more wounded, 11 of those are critical, so the death toll will probably rise. Not surprisingly, the government seems more concerned about peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.
Tragic incident? It's an abomination, but what do they care. The minority Christian population has always been expendable.
Then there was the terror attack in the Kenyan shopping mall, by those Somali al-Shabaab neanderthals. The targets there were also non-Muslims. 68 killed, 175 wounded, so far. There are still some hostages being held by the gunmen.
But it's just as easy killing fellow Muslims. They were having a grand old time killing each other in Iraq this past week. Let's see, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Sunni funeral on Sunday, killing at least 12. 70 were killed at a Shiite mosque the day before. 18 were killed at a Sunni mosque on Friday, and I'm sure I'm missing more. No doubt the Sunnis will retaliate for this latest massacre.
Will it ever end? Doubtful. And Muslims wonder why their religion is looked upon so unfavorably these days.
This past week was no exception.
At least 78 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Christian church in Peshawar, Pakistan, this weekend. Of 100 or more wounded, 11 of those are critical, so the death toll will probably rise. Not surprisingly, the government seems more concerned about peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, regional Information Minister Shah Farman said the attack should not be allowed to derail the country's peace process with Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Pakistani Taliban.
"It's a tragic incident, but overall, these kinds of incidents have decreased," Farman said. "There is a peace process going on. We don't want this process to be derailed. We're waiting for the results of the final investigation to see who did this and why."
Tragic incident? It's an abomination, but what do they care. The minority Christian population has always been expendable.
Then there was the terror attack in the Kenyan shopping mall, by those Somali al-Shabaab neanderthals. The targets there were also non-Muslims. 68 killed, 175 wounded, so far. There are still some hostages being held by the gunmen.
But it's just as easy killing fellow Muslims. They were having a grand old time killing each other in Iraq this past week. Let's see, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Sunni funeral on Sunday, killing at least 12. 70 were killed at a Shiite mosque the day before. 18 were killed at a Sunni mosque on Friday, and I'm sure I'm missing more. No doubt the Sunnis will retaliate for this latest massacre.
Will it ever end? Doubtful. And Muslims wonder why their religion is looked upon so unfavorably these days.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Video: Syrian Kids Play 'Behead the Enemy'
Instead of playing Tag or soccer, these kiddies are having fun playing 'Behead the Enemy' in Ras al-Ayn, a desolate-looking town in northern Syria (a stronghold of the rebel factions).
No word on whether these are local kids just mimicking what they have seen and heard, or whether they are the kids of the jihadist elements fighting over there. But check out what some of them are wearing. Someone must have given it to them.
No word on whether these are local kids just mimicking what they have seen and heard, or whether they are the kids of the jihadist elements fighting over there. But check out what some of them are wearing. Someone must have given it to them.
UK School Forcing Non-Muslim Teachers To Wear Hijab
Apparently non-Muslim school teachers are being forced to sign a contract agreeing to wear Islamic headscarves while on school property at the Al-Madinah school in northern England. Had this been a private Muslim school I would say, those are the rules live with it- if you choose to teach at a Muslim school you abide by the rules. However, it is not a private institution, it is state-funded, and initially was "launched as based on Muslim principles and not as a Muslim school.” At least that's what Sue Arguile of the Derby National Union of Teachers claims.
Arguile is also concerned about the segregation of genders.
Imagine the reverse, a Muslim school teacher refusing to remove her hijab at a non-Muslim school, or at a corporation that has a specific dress code. In the U.S. the Council on American-Islamic relations (CAIR) would step in, and she'd get to wear her veil. Happens all the time. I'd support the school's right to dictate what staff members wear, IF the school was privately owned and funded. But it's not.
At some point in the future (it's a brand spanking new facility), the school is meant to allow those of other faiths to attend classes, but what non-Muslim parent would send their daughter to a school that forces her to wear a hijab and sit at the back of the classroom?
Ironically, plastered on the front of the school website is this:
The Department of Education is looking into the Derbyshire school matter.
Sources: Telegraph UK, Al Arabiya
Arguile is also concerned about the segregation of genders.
“There are worries over practices concerning the discrimination between male and female pupils in the school, with the girls being told to sit at the back of the class regardless of whether they can see the board properly."The 200 hundred students, ranging from four 4 to 16, are also fed halal-only meals, and teachers and staff are not allowed to bring any non-halal foods on campus.
Imagine the reverse, a Muslim school teacher refusing to remove her hijab at a non-Muslim school, or at a corporation that has a specific dress code. In the U.S. the Council on American-Islamic relations (CAIR) would step in, and she'd get to wear her veil. Happens all the time. I'd support the school's right to dictate what staff members wear, IF the school was privately owned and funded. But it's not.
At some point in the future (it's a brand spanking new facility), the school is meant to allow those of other faiths to attend classes, but what non-Muslim parent would send their daughter to a school that forces her to wear a hijab and sit at the back of the classroom?
Ironically, plastered on the front of the school website is this:
"We seek to inculcate in our pupils the core universal principles of equality, fairness, peace, tolerance and respect for all people"Equality? Girls forced to the back of the classroom is equality? Fairness is forcing someone of another faith to wear a veil? Right.
The Department of Education is looking into the Derbyshire school matter.
Sources: Telegraph UK, Al Arabiya
Saturday, September 21, 2013
French Mum Gets Fined For Son Jihad's "I Am A Bomb" T-Shirt
Remember Bouchra Bagour, the stupid French mum who went to trial- with her brother Zeyad- for sending her 3-year-old son Jihad to nursery school last September sporting a T-shirt with "I am a bomb" inscribed on the front, and "Jihad, born September 11" (which he was) on the back?
The T-shirt was apparently a gift from the kid's equally stupid uncle, and both were facing jail sentences and fines for "apologie de crime" (condoning, defending a criminal act). Mommy claimed it was "tactless" but not a provocation, and Zeyad said he had no ulterior motives.
Well the verdict is in: they were both found guilty, but lucked out with suspended jail sentences, and a 2,000 euro fine for Bouchra, and 4,000 euro fine for Zeyad.
The T-shirt was apparently a gift from the kid's equally stupid uncle, and both were facing jail sentences and fines for "apologie de crime" (condoning, defending a criminal act). Mommy claimed it was "tactless" but not a provocation, and Zeyad said he had no ulterior motives.
Well the verdict is in: they were both found guilty, but lucked out with suspended jail sentences, and a 2,000 euro fine for Bouchra, and 4,000 euro fine for Zeyad.
Who knows where the truth actually lies, but both were incredibly stupid to send the kid to school wearing something like that.
Friday, September 20, 2013
CNN: 50% Of Syrian Rebels Are Jihadists Or Islamist Hardliners
According to a CNN news report- yes CNN- almost 50 percent of the rebels now fighting in Syria are jihadists or hardline Islamist extremists, which means there is a 50/50 chance that the weapons headed to Syrian rebels from the West will probably wind up in the hands of al-Qaeda rebels. Even if there was a way to ensure that weapons were only supplied to the secular fighters (which there isn't), they could still easily end up in the hands of jihadists either through force (which has happened), or simply while fighting side by side.
No doubt the percentage of jihadists will increase over time as more foreign fighters crawl into Syria.
No doubt the percentage of jihadists will increase over time as more foreign fighters crawl into Syria.
Pregnant "Sexual Jihad" Girls Heading Home To Tunisia
Remember all those pious Muslim gals trekking on over to Syria for "sexual jihad"? Some of them are now trekking back home- with a bun in the oven- after sleeping with anywhere from 20 to 100 rebels. I guess it doesn't matter who the daddies are since they're prostituting themselves for the greater good. And no matter how you slice it, it is prostitution, and they're no better than whores. Even the former Mufti Sheikh Othman Battikh of Tunisia called it that when he commented about the 13 Tunisian girls headed out to Syria, back in April.
Battikh was fired shortly thereafter.
Tunisian Interior Minister Lotfi Bin Jeddo had this to say about the pregnant girls:
According to Bin Jeddo, since March of this year, a whopping 6,000 Tunisians have been banned from traveling to Syria. Although it seems odd, human rights organizations have been critical of the travel ban for jihadists. Jihadists don't deserve any rights.
“For Jihad in Syria, they are now pushing girls to go there. 13 young girls have been sent for sexual jihad. What is this? This is called prostitution. It is moral educational corruption,” the mufti told reporters.
Battikh was fired shortly thereafter.
Tunisian Interior Minister Lotfi Bin Jeddo had this to say about the pregnant girls:
The Tunisian girls “are (sexually) swapped between 20, 30, and 100 rebels and they come back bearing the fruit of sexual contacts in the name of sexual jihad and we are silent doing nothing and standing idle,” the non-partisan minister said during an address to the National Constituent Assembly.
According to Bin Jeddo, since March of this year, a whopping 6,000 Tunisians have been banned from traveling to Syria. Although it seems odd, human rights organizations have been critical of the travel ban for jihadists. Jihadists don't deserve any rights.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
More Video Proof Syrian Rebels Behind Chemical Attack? Or not.
Will we ever find out who was responsible for the chemical attack in Ghouta, Syria? Probably not, but everyone has their opinion.
Here's another video that some claim is proof that the opposition rebels were responsible. Eretz Zen Channel (Assad supporter) has the following explanation:
Truthloader has more on the above allegations at the beginning of their latest video, along with claims that the Syrian government handed over proof to Russia that the jihadis were involved.
Here's another video that some claim is proof that the opposition rebels were responsible. Eretz Zen Channel (Assad supporter) has the following explanation:
This video footage that recently surfaced shows jihadi militants from the Islam Battalion that operates in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta and led by Zahran Alloush launching an operation called "al-Reeh al-Sarsar" (Almighty Wind) on the Damascus suburb of al-Qaboun in Eastern Ghouta at the early morning of Wednesday, August 21, 2013.But was it staged? Some think it might be, but no-one knows for sure. Bottom line, nothing and no-one can be trusted.
The video shows men wearing gas masks and firing an artillery shell while shouting Allahu Akbar! The name of 'al-Reeh al-Sarsar' is coincidentally the name of the "chemical brigade" that posted videos threatening the use of chemicals on Syrian government supporters, especially Alawites, while testing the chemicals on rabbits.
Truthloader has more on the above allegations at the beginning of their latest video, along with claims that the Syrian government handed over proof to Russia that the jihadis were involved.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Muslim Husbands Must Hate Non-Muslim Wives, Says Egyptian Salafi Cleric
Egyptian Salafist and founder of the Al Nour Party Yassir al-Burhami talks about the importance of Muslim men hating their non-Muslim infidel wives, although it's perfectly okay to love their looks, money etc.
Marrying women of the book (i.e. Jews or Christians) is discouraged, but if a Muslim man is compelled to marry one, he must "make her hate her religion while continuing marriage/sexual relations with her." And he must show her he hates her because of her religion. Then he justifies having a loveless marriage by comparing it to how a rapist views his victim- no love, just using her body.
Marrying women of the book (i.e. Jews or Christians) is discouraged, but if a Muslim man is compelled to marry one, he must "make her hate her religion while continuing marriage/sexual relations with her." And he must show her he hates her because of her religion. Then he justifies having a loveless marriage by comparing it to how a rapist views his victim- no love, just using her body.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Muslim Men Can Sleep With Thousands Of Women In Heaven Claims Saudi Cleric
MEMRI's latest video is of Saudi Cleric Muhammad Ali Shanqiti talking about all the women Muslim men get to bed when they go to heaven. Each man gets at least two black-eyed virgins, each with their 70 servant girls. According to Shanqiti, the servant girls are also fair game.
It does get complicated (because he brings into the equation heaven-bound Muslim women), sort of. Still can't quite figure that one out.
But no wonder jihadists have no problem martyring themselves. They get 72 virgins, plus all their servant girls to mess around with. You do the math.
Watch the video here.
It does get complicated (because he brings into the equation heaven-bound Muslim women), sort of. Still can't quite figure that one out.
But no wonder jihadists have no problem martyring themselves. They get 72 virgins, plus all their servant girls to mess around with. You do the math.
Watch the video here.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Black Gun Owners Blast Sarah Silverman's "Black NRA" Funny of Die Parody
Some black conservatives have responded to comedian Sarah Silverman's definitely not funny 'Black NRA' video (produced by Funny or Die), which some have called racist by bringing 'race' into the gun debate.
AlfonZo Rachel and some buddies respond. As always, he speaks the truth.
Source: Townhall where you can see NRA spokesman Colion Noir's response.
H/T LB
AlfonZo Rachel and some buddies respond. As always, he speaks the truth.
Source: Townhall where you can see NRA spokesman Colion Noir's response.
H/T LB
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Egyptian Coptic Christians Forced To Pay "Jizya" Tax
According to the Christian Post, Coptic Christians in the town of Dalga, Egypt, are now being forced to pay the "jizya" tax to the Islamists. For those of you who might not now, that's the Islamic "submission" tax that non-Muslims have to pay if they choose not to convert to Islam. As much as $30.00 a day, for some.
More here.
Dalga, a city of 120,000 people in southern Egypt, is home to 20,000 Christians and has been under Islamist control since President Mohammed Morsi was forced to step down by the military at the beginning of the summer. After Morsi's was ousted, Islamist attackers descended upon the city's Christian neighborhoods, torching and plundering and establishing themselves as the city's authority. In response, many Coptic families have fled the city.
Father Yunis Shawqi told reporters from El Dostor Daily News yesterday that though the amount varied, the tax had been leveled against all Christian Copts.
"[The] value of the tribute and method of payment differ from one place to another in the village, so that, some are being expected to pay 200 Egyptian pounds per day, others 500 Egyptian pounds per day," Mr. Shawqi said, according to the translator.
More here.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
CAIR Asks Walmart To Rehire Assistant Manager They Got Fired
So now the Council on American-Islamic Relations is asking Walmart to re-hire Terry Earsing- the assistant manager they effectively got fired for posting something they found offensive on his personal Facebook page, and everyone is lauding the organization, including Earsing himself, for being so kind.
Wow.
"Boy they went out of their way for me to try and help me out, and boy that was so nice," Earsing said.
Wow.
Friday, September 13, 2013
NY Post: What Putin Really Meant With His NY Times Op-Ed
In a rather amusing response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's op-ed in the New York Times warning the American people about engaging in Syria, the New York Post published what Putin really meant to say, or as the NYP puts it, what Putin said before the Times' editors got their hands on it.
MOSCOW — Recent events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and your leaders. After the president’s speech Tuesday night, let me say what you all know to be true:The rest here.
Barack, I own you. Or as we say in Russia, the wolf felt pity for the lamb, so he left the skin and bones.
Mr. President, we have much in common. People fear what we might do. We each have a media eating out of our hands. We both hate George W. Bush.
I also share with you the outrage at President Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons on women and children. And I have made Russia’s displeasure clear to him. Bashar, I said, if you have to murder women and children, conventional arms like the ones I used at Grozny or the rescue at Beslan are just as deadly. Lord knows I have supplied Syria with more than enough weaponry.
Now I have given you an out on Syria. And you know what? I’ve become the man of peace. Me, the KGB guy. I don’t know how many legions the pope has these days, but I’m pretty sure they’re on my side, too.
I tried to tell you at the G-8 in June we Russians are not the crude caricatures you Americans think. We value negotiations, and we appreciate the UN. Indeed, we share with this great international body for peace and human rights the view that American military action is always an act of aggression. That, and blame the Jews.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Valdimir Putin's Plea To The American People Regarding Syria
Vladimir V. Putin has written "A Plea for Caution From Russia" to the American people regarding the situation in Syria. No, this isn't some Internet hoax making the rounds, it was actually published in the New York Times on September 11, 2013. Not that we shouldn't take what he says with a hefty grain of salt, considering the source. And forget what he says about the useless United Nations. But it's certainly an interesting read. He speaks some truths, though who knows what the real intent behind those words are.
Please read the whole thing here.
For the record, I trust Putin as far as I can throw him.
The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.
Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.
Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.
Please read the whole thing here.
For the record, I trust Putin as far as I can throw him.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Freed Belgian Hostage Claims Rebels Launched Gas Attack In Syria
Italian reporter Domenico Quirico and Belgian teacher Pierre Piccinin- who were abducted by rebel forces in Syria and then pawned off to different Islamist groups, and were just released after five months in captivity- have some very interesting things to say about their hostage days and what is going on in the country.
Treated like an animal Quirico said this of Syria and his captors:
In the interview on RTL's Le Journal (see below), Piccinin claims that the rebels and not Bashar al-Assad's government forces were responsible for the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta. Apparently, information they garnered from a skype conversation the rebels had in English, the attack was a means of forcing the West into the conflict. Thank you Obama.
The following information was posted on the EretzZen YouTube channel:
Treated like an animal Quirico said this of Syria and his captors:
"Even children and old people tried to hurt us. Maybe I am putting this in overly ethical terms but in Syria I really found a country of evil," he said.The rest of his story here.
[snip]
"Our captors were from a group that professed itself to be Islamist but that in reality is made up of mixed-up young men who have joined the revolution because the revolution now belongs to these groups that are midway between banditry and fanaticism," he said.
"They follow whoever promises them a future, gives them weapons, gives them money to buy cell phones, computers, clothes."
Such groups, he said, were trusted by the West but were in truth profiting from the revolution to "take over territory, hold the population to ransom, kidnap people and fill their pockets".
In the interview on RTL's Le Journal (see below), Piccinin claims that the rebels and not Bashar al-Assad's government forces were responsible for the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta. Apparently, information they garnered from a skype conversation the rebels had in English, the attack was a means of forcing the West into the conflict. Thank you Obama.
The following information was posted on the EretzZen YouTube channel:
"In this conversation, they said that the gas attack on two neighborhoods of Damascus was launched by the 'rebels' as a provocation to lead the West to intervene militarily," Quirico told Italy's La Stampa. "We were unaware of everything that was going on during our detention in Syria, and therefore also with the gas attack in Damascus."Just more proof that we have no clue what is going on in that country.
While stating that the rebels most likely exaggerated the accident's death toll, the Italian journalist stressed that he could not vouch whether "the conversation was based on real facts." However, he said that one of the three people in the alleged conversation identified himself as a Free Syrian Army general, La Stampa reported.
Based on what both men have learned, Peccinin told RTL that it would be "insane and suicidal for the West to support these people."
"It pains me to say it because I've been a fierce supporter of the Free Syrian Army in its rightful fight for democracy since 2012," Piccinin added.
"There was sometimes real violence...humiliation, bullying, mock executions...Domenico faced two mock executions, with a revolver," Piccinin told RTL.
Both men were kidnapped in Syria last April by a group of armed men in pickup trucks who were believed to be from Free Syrian Army.
According to Piccinin, the captors soon transferred them over to the Abu Ammar brigade, a rebel group "more bandit than Islamist."
"We were moved around a lot...it was not always the same group that held us, there were very violent groups, very anti-West and some anti-Christian," Piccinin said.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
UPDATE: 8-Year-Old Yemeni Child Bride Bleeds To Death On Wedding Night
9/14/13: UPDATE: According to some in Yemen, the 8-year-old girl was never married let alone died. But who to believe?
While perusing some of my Facebook pages of interest I saw a link to an article about a Yemeni child bride who died after sexual intercourse. It sounded familiar so I assumed it was an old story from several years ago, but no, it's recent, and just another case of a young girl bleeding to death because her reproductive organs were mangled by her much older pedophile husband. The story I remembered was actually 12-year-old Elham Mahdi Shuee who bled to death three days after her wedding night. She had been forced to marry a 20-year-old. This latest case involved 8-year-old Rawan, who was married off to a 40-year-old and bled to death on her wedding night.
Activists are calling for punishment for both the girls parents and the "beastly groom", and an end to child marriage, although that won't come easy. Yemen child rights activists have been desperately trying, for several years now, to change the marriage laws to adequately reflect the emotional and physical age that a girl might be ready to marry. They believe the age limit should be 18. But they're butting heads with the Islamic extremists who believe a girl should marry at any age, after all their prophet Mohammad married one of his many wives when she was 10 years younger than the proposed age limit.
Sources: Gulf News, and Israel National News
While perusing some of my Facebook pages of interest I saw a link to an article about a Yemeni child bride who died after sexual intercourse. It sounded familiar so I assumed it was an old story from several years ago, but no, it's recent, and just another case of a young girl bleeding to death because her reproductive organs were mangled by her much older pedophile husband. The story I remembered was actually 12-year-old Elham Mahdi Shuee who bled to death three days after her wedding night. She had been forced to marry a 20-year-old. This latest case involved 8-year-old Rawan, who was married off to a 40-year-old and bled to death on her wedding night.
Activists are calling for punishment for both the girls parents and the "beastly groom", and an end to child marriage, although that won't come easy. Yemen child rights activists have been desperately trying, for several years now, to change the marriage laws to adequately reflect the emotional and physical age that a girl might be ready to marry. They believe the age limit should be 18. But they're butting heads with the Islamic extremists who believe a girl should marry at any age, after all their prophet Mohammad married one of his many wives when she was 10 years younger than the proposed age limit.
Sources: Gulf News, and Israel National News
Monday, September 09, 2013
The Dark Side Of Syria's Rebel Fighters
This is what many of the rebels fighting in Syria are all about. Those same people that Barack Obama and John McCain want to aide:
Video from Jarablus, Syria (on the border with Turkey) of a room full of confiscated Christian bibles and communion bread with a sign that states that these things (referring to the Bibles etc.) are far more dangerous than chemical weapons. In other words, Christians are far more of a threat with their evangelizing than chemical weapons. And if that's the case, what will happen to Christians in Syria if the Syrian jihadists win the fight. "Mujahideen from the Islamic State" [in Iraq and the Levant] are responsible for the confiscation.
And this German video shows Turkey's complicity in allowing the slew of foreign jihadist terrorists (including an American and a Canadian) flowing into Syria. Why? Turkey wants Bashar al Assad gone, and it figures the jihadists will accomplish that. The Turks obviously don't care what happens to the country once Assad is gone. And the opposition seems to be overrun by Islamists with a few rebel fighters still actually fighting for democracy. They are stuck in the middle between extremists on the one hand, and dictator Assad's forces on the other, and are just as liable to get targeted by the jihadists. By the way, the Canadian's suicide bomb mission in Damascus managed to blow up women and children.
Video that chronicles how Syrian rebels executed 51 soldiers who had surrendered.
Go to YouTube and search for Syrian rebels kill civilians and you will find a ton of graphic videos of senseless violence all perpetrated by the opposition against civilians and Christians.
Not that Assad has not willfully and mercilessly killed his own people, he has. But the rebels are far more brutal, and as the bearded Californian jihadist in the German video puts it: "They love life. I love death."
Video from Jarablus, Syria (on the border with Turkey) of a room full of confiscated Christian bibles and communion bread with a sign that states that these things (referring to the Bibles etc.) are far more dangerous than chemical weapons. In other words, Christians are far more of a threat with their evangelizing than chemical weapons. And if that's the case, what will happen to Christians in Syria if the Syrian jihadists win the fight. "Mujahideen from the Islamic State" [in Iraq and the Levant] are responsible for the confiscation.
And this German video shows Turkey's complicity in allowing the slew of foreign jihadist terrorists (including an American and a Canadian) flowing into Syria. Why? Turkey wants Bashar al Assad gone, and it figures the jihadists will accomplish that. The Turks obviously don't care what happens to the country once Assad is gone. And the opposition seems to be overrun by Islamists with a few rebel fighters still actually fighting for democracy. They are stuck in the middle between extremists on the one hand, and dictator Assad's forces on the other, and are just as liable to get targeted by the jihadists. By the way, the Canadian's suicide bomb mission in Damascus managed to blow up women and children.
Video that chronicles how Syrian rebels executed 51 soldiers who had surrendered.
Go to YouTube and search for Syrian rebels kill civilians and you will find a ton of graphic videos of senseless violence all perpetrated by the opposition against civilians and Christians.
Not that Assad has not willfully and mercilessly killed his own people, he has. But the rebels are far more brutal, and as the bearded Californian jihadist in the German video puts it: "They love life. I love death."
Sunday, September 08, 2013
Creepy Video- Egyptian Kid Asks People If They Know What The Holocaust Was
Here's a creepy little video of a young Egyptian boy on a show titled "Anybody Knows?" taking his question "What is the Holocaust?" to the streets.
Many of those questioned claim not to know, and most of those who do actually know bring up the fact that there are people who dispute the numbers. Then there's the hijab-clad Holocaust denier with her niqab-clad buddy standing next to her. No surprises there.
Where the creep factor comes in? The chipper musical underscoring, and the cute kid smiling throughout the piece, especially at the end after he explains that "In the Holocaust, lots of people were rounded up and killed."
Many of those questioned claim not to know, and most of those who do actually know bring up the fact that there are people who dispute the numbers. Then there's the hijab-clad Holocaust denier with her niqab-clad buddy standing next to her. No surprises there.
Where the creep factor comes in? The chipper musical underscoring, and the cute kid smiling throughout the piece, especially at the end after he explains that "In the Holocaust, lots of people were rounded up and killed."
Friday, September 06, 2013
CAIR Gets Walmart Manager Fired For Facebook Comment
So Walmart assistant manager Terry Earsing posted a photo (that he allegedly did not take) on his Facebook page of what appears to be several niqab-clad Muslim women shopping in the Hamburg, NY store with the following:
I'd like to know how those particular women were being harassed or intimidated when you can't even tell who they are, and there is no indication that they were harassed or intimidated on store property, although if that were the case the firing would have been justified. And it's not like he was advocating violence or deportation of Muslims. I have seen far worse comments (which have actually made me cringe) on anti-Muslim Facebook pages.
I feel the same way about women in the West wearing niqabs. Hijab it all you like, but niqabs and burqas (and hijabs) are not an Islamic duty, though many in the Muslim community would have us believe it is.
Whether you think what he wrote was tacky or not, we have the right to be critical, although those rights are quickly being eroded thanks to organizations like CAIR, and Earsing certainly did not deserve to lose his job over that.
Bottom line, keep your opinions off social media, or write anonymously, and say bye-bye to freedom of speech.
"Halloween came early this year ... do they really have to f**kin dress like that ... your [sic] in my country ... get that f**kin s*** off!!!!!!"
Not surprisingly, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) stepped in demanding discipline, and the man was fired.
CAIR published a statement on its website that includes the following:
CAIR published a statement on its website that includes the following:
"We urge Walmart to send the message that all customers, regardless of religion or national origin, must be safe from harassment and intimidation by employees," says CAIR-NY Board President Ryan Mahoney.Full statement here.
I'd like to know how those particular women were being harassed or intimidated when you can't even tell who they are, and there is no indication that they were harassed or intimidated on store property, although if that were the case the firing would have been justified. And it's not like he was advocating violence or deportation of Muslims. I have seen far worse comments (which have actually made me cringe) on anti-Muslim Facebook pages.
I feel the same way about women in the West wearing niqabs. Hijab it all you like, but niqabs and burqas (and hijabs) are not an Islamic duty, though many in the Muslim community would have us believe it is.
Whether you think what he wrote was tacky or not, we have the right to be critical, although those rights are quickly being eroded thanks to organizations like CAIR, and Earsing certainly did not deserve to lose his job over that.
Bottom line, keep your opinions off social media, or write anonymously, and say bye-bye to freedom of speech.
Did Iran's President Rouhani Wish Jews "A Blessed Rosh Hashanah"?
Did Iran's supposed "moderate" new Prez Hassan Rouhani really wish the Jews a blessed New Year via Twitter?
According to NPR's Scott Neuman maybe, maybe not.
If true, quite a departure from his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hatred of the Jews, including his Holocaust denial claims.
As the sun is about to set here in #Tehran I wish all Jews, especially Iranian Jews, a blessed Rosh Hashanah.
According to NPR's Scott Neuman maybe, maybe not.
If true, quite a departure from his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hatred of the Jews, including his Holocaust denial claims.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Actor Stephen Fry Addresses "Islamophobe" Accusations
Stephen Fry- British character actor, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, director and a slew of other things- addresses in a blog post being called an "Islamophobe" after he was slammed for saying that fellow atheist Richard Dawkins was justified in his criticism of Islam.
The rest here.
In on online exchange last week, Fry said Prof Dawkins was justified in singling out Islam for more criticism than other religions, tweeting: "Wonder why. Oh, have a look around the world and see them slaughtering each other, let alone others. So charming to women too …"In his blog post "Am I an Islamophobe?" he writes:
The squeezed liberal finds himself in the position that he cannot criticise Islamofascism because it’s somehow “racist” (although Islam encompasses many many races) or because it encourages acts of violence against innocent law-abiding honourable Muslims, which I would never for a second endorse. It is a topsy-turvy smothering of debate and an Orwellian denial of free-speech to declare that speaking out against violence will cause violence. I’m all for insult, as it happens, as long as it’s funny. But I have no time for assault. Only a few letters’ difference, but the two are a world away.
The rest here.
Video: Compilation Of Obama's Anti-War Statements
Black and Right has posted a video- apparently from Barack Obama's own website- of various anti-war statements made over the years as a senator, while campaigning for the the presidency.
With regards to his stance on Syria, he's obviously not paying any attention to his own advice.
"It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war."
With regards to his stance on Syria, he's obviously not paying any attention to his own advice.
"Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last best hope. To pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace."And that never happened. They're still slaughtering each other.
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Video: Anwar Sadat's Daughter Camelia On The Terrorism Within The Muslim Brotherhood
Camelia Sadat, the daughter of the third President of Egypt Anwar Sadat, has some interesting things to say about Islamists and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Regarding the recent bloodshed- she places partial blame on her father for releasing the Islamists from jail back in the day because he believed that "they could join the fabric of Egyptian society again." As a result he was assassinated.
She talks about the "terrorism within" which is ultimately destroying them.
"They will never change."
She says it all starts with their pledge to the General Guide which has them with one hand on the Quran and the other on a pistol.
Some history on Camelia, who was married off at 12 by her father, and back in 2002 was practically destitute and living in the U.S. Couldn't find any recent information on her, other than the snippet of an interview below.
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/malbor.htm
Regarding the recent bloodshed- she places partial blame on her father for releasing the Islamists from jail back in the day because he believed that "they could join the fabric of Egyptian society again." As a result he was assassinated.
She talks about the "terrorism within" which is ultimately destroying them.
"They will never change."
She says it all starts with their pledge to the General Guide which has them with one hand on the Quran and the other on a pistol.
Some history on Camelia, who was married off at 12 by her father, and back in 2002 was practically destitute and living in the U.S. Couldn't find any recent information on her, other than the snippet of an interview below.
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/malbor.htm
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
"Swan" Detained In Egypt For Spying Not A Swan Or Spy
It's Egypt's turn to roam into the realm of the ridiculous. A few days ago an Egyptian man dragged a "Swan" over to his local police station because he believed it to be a spy. The man lives 280 miles from the capital so I suppose one can excuse his ignorance. The authorities released the bird after they determined that the electronic thingamabob (actually a tracking device) attached to it was harmless. What's even more amusing is the fact that although identified as a swan the alleged spy was actually a stork. From France.
It's not the first time a bird has been accused of spying. In the past, however, it has always been blamed on the "Zionist" Israelis.
Most recently Turkey detained- and then released- a Kestrel for allegedly spying for Israel, a vulture was caught in Sudan in 2012, and in 2011 Saudi Arabia also arrested a vulture for spying, although it was eventually pardoned and set free.
Photo of the jail "bird" here.
It's not the first time a bird has been accused of spying. In the past, however, it has always been blamed on the "Zionist" Israelis.
Most recently Turkey detained- and then released- a Kestrel for allegedly spying for Israel, a vulture was caught in Sudan in 2012, and in 2011 Saudi Arabia also arrested a vulture for spying, although it was eventually pardoned and set free.
Photo of the jail "bird" here.
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