Since my blog has moved, I can no longer use Bloggers "Follower" gadget. If you are a part of NetWorked blogs, which includes a Facebook page, you can follow through NetworkedBlogs, and I can follow you back. Please come to my new blog - MaggiesNotebook.com, see the NetworkedBlogs widget in the right sidebar and click follow. I will follow back.
"I learned that in extreme situations when human lives and dignity are at state, neutrality is a sin. It helps the killers, not the victims." Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor who lost his family in the Holocaust - Nobel Prize Author
Socialism - Liberalism Quotation
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." – Norman Thomas
American socialist, 1948
Showing posts with label Bloggers/Blogging/BlogRadio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloggers/Blogging/BlogRadio. Show all posts
Readers and friends, I have finally taken the step and have a new home for Maggie's Notebook. I believe you will find it easier to read and navigate, and commenting will be much less troublesome.
Note: when you click the link below, it may look like it is not taking you anywhere, but be patient, it does. Please visit me at the all new
This site will stay up, however I have migrated all posts on this site to the new one. I look forward to hearing your reactions, and don't forget to bookmark, or update the RSS feed for the new Maggie's Notebook
To everyone, thank you so much for making my first blog site a success.
Thanks to Theo Spark for the video. Looks like this was first posted in May 2010. When you listen to the words, it's a reminder why Liberals hate her, cause...it's all true. Visit Big Dawg's Music Mafia for more. See lyrics under the video.
After the video, take a break from politics and visit Theo Spark America at the Movies. Click on the map to enlarge. Can you guess what movie your state will be?
Sarah Palin: Change You Won't Regret
Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook
Content Scrapers: Until I can figure out what to do about your confiscation of my work for your own website, please be sure to give a link back as shown above.
A quick update on the hacking of this blog. The IP host in California found the hackers and suspended the account. I expect them to quickly set-up again with another host and come back. I'm making plans for that event. They know how to do it now, so no Blogger blog is safe. Google/Blogger did not respond to any of my pleas for help.
I still am not clear about the motive, whether Liberal operative or the sons of Islam. Across the web these people are identified with the country of Kurdistan and their pings are associated with the flag of Kurdistan. Their website is/was written in Arabic.
Since you are visiting here, do not be concerned about visiting a hacked site. There are NO VIRUSES, my contacts are safe - my computer is not compromised.
Bloggers, remember, if you see links from Maggie's Notebook on your posts, click the arrow next to the link. You'll see the excerpt there, and if the excerpt does not seem related to my post title, I did not put the link(s) there. The only consequence of the hack, as far as I can see, is linking each one of my posts to other conservative blogs. That's it...nothing dangerous, but obviously annoying for my friends.
Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook Content Scrapers: Until I can figure out what to do about your confiscation of my work for your own website, please be sure to give a link back as shown above.
Okay, to begin with, I will not pretend that I've always known to what the Latin Si Vis Pacem translates. But I didn't have to look it up because Ran, the Dominus at Si Vis Pacem provides the translation in his banner, and it is advice we must hold dear: If you seek peace, seek first liberty. So visiting Ran, I found his latest post on the truth about Tea Parties finally being told in media such as the Wall Street Journal.
Peggy Noonan wrote the article to which Dominus refers. Noonan is always quote-worthy, but I loved this quote from Ran in response to her article:
In the end, it isn't even about The Won. It is about the statist-progressive totalitarian agenda. America is an idea, after all. American exceptionalism is merely the aggregate expression of individual achievement obtained with Libery. That's really all we Teapers want."
Fellow-blogger and friend SilverFiddle at Western Hero went to a rally for Ken Buck last night. He heard the rumor that MoveOn.org would be there, so he stood outside to support Buck. It's a great post about how an individual makes a difference...begrudgingly. Here's the quote of the day from Silver:
They were handing out "Bucks" with Ken's picture on them. I got a rousing cheer from my side when I waved one in the air and shouted:
"These will be worth more than the real thing by the time Obama gets done printing money!"
One more from Silver on a previous post about Christine O'Donnell, for your amusement, and for some heavy commentary about O'Donnell.
The hooting baboons in Left Blogistan are having a field day, beating their bananas and slinging poop all over the candidacy of Christine O'Donnell.
As I visited Jay Henderson's Backcountry Notes this morning, I read his Endgame -- Week 15. He told his readers that a visit to Duke Medical Center revealed his cancer had invaded his liver and there was nothing more he or his doctors could do. That was September 23rd. Jay died on Saturday, October 9th, 2010. He was one of the finest bloggers I've encountered in my time on the Internet.
Jay Henderson
Jay Henderson was the heart behind Annuit Coeptis, which has recently changed servers and its name. Annuit Coeptis is now Liberty Ledger. His personal blog was Backcountry Notes, a beautiful look at his home "in the mountainous area of southwestern Virginia."
This from Jay:
I am an ex-urbanite who escaped the city life and has lived for the past 29 years in a rural, mountainous area of southwestern Virginia that in colonial and early-American times was part of the "Backcountry."
This is the true melting pot of the U.S.A., its culture and traditions dominated by "born fighting" Scotch-Irish immigrants and enhanced by German, Highland Scot, Dutch, Welsh, and yeoman English settlers.
Having absorbed and inculcated the history, values and views of the Backcountry, I would like to share information and insights from the place where America began. - - Jay Henderson
When I met Jay about 2-1/2 years ago online, he told me was a cancer survivor. He had been away for a few days for the on-going testing that every cancer survivor endures for the rest of their lives. At that time, he was still cancer free. I am a breast cancer survivor - 17 years in December, and so we were talking about the Big C. I will never forget one thing that he told me:
"Maggie, there are worst things to die of than cancer."
I can't begin to tell you how often I have thought of those sage words. As I have lost friends over the past couple of years to different diseases, I see firsthand that cancer is not always the worst thing to die of, but of course, sometimes it is. I followed Jay's last journey and he certainly suffered over the past few months.
But when I think about it, I think of those I know who have withered away with Alzheimer's, taking years and years to die. At one time I thought Alzheimer's might be a blessing because you simply have no memories, but watching a family member with this dreadful disease, I realize that Alzheimer's patients can have terrible things going on inside - a torture that we, and doctor's know nothing about.
Indeed, cancer is not always the worst way to die.
Jay Henderson was a prolific writer, mostly about politics and history. He was a wise, witty and gentle writer. No, I did not know Jay "in real life," only through blogging, but I believe when we continuously read a person's non-fiction writings, their true heart and soul is revealed. Jay had a calm confidence in his knowledge, and a fine talent for passing it on. Please visit the two blogs linked above and read some of Jay's work. You will be enriched by it.
My artist friend, David Lemon sent an email with the Obama photo taken in Bowie, Maryland on October 7th at Bowie State University. He said: "The angle, and the grandiose pose reminds me of the posters of Lenin." Knowing that David has a magnificent eye for all things designed and shaped, I went looking for the poster he may have been thinking of and found the following, known as Lenin at the Tribune. See any similarities?
Speaking of designing and shaping, here are a couple of my favorites bronze pieces from David Lemon, Master Sculptor (just so you know, I receive no compensation for posting Mr. Lemon's work. He does not have an affiliate program. I receive no monetary gain - I just love what he does)
In galleries and private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East, Lemon’s studies of the American experience speak proudly and passionately of the people who toiled and sacrificed to build a new nation.
David's work appears in some of the largest art collections in the country and is part of the permanent collection of the Springville Art Museum in Springville, Utah. He's been reviewed and featured by Southwest Art Magazine, Western Horseman Magazine and Art of the West Magazine and was a featured artist in the book, Contemporary Western Artists.
His gold medal winning pieces transcend culture and have touched hearts around the world. He has had exhibitions and showings in the U.S., Canada and as far away as a One Man Show In Jakarta Indonesia.
His privately commissioned bronzes stand in front of, and inside, some of the finest homes in western United States. In fact one of those homes was featured on the Home and Garden Television Network, in a show called "Homes Across America". In this show, David's artwork was largely featured. He is also very proud of a bronze he did for a Veterans Memorial located in his home town, Ennis, in southwest Montana.
I have to tell you, this gave my tummy a jolt, even though these Palestinian boys were throwing rocks at a car, which according to Weasel Zippers, is driven by a Jew. It's the Mom in me I guess. Incredible video below.
Over the subsequent two years the nation moved inexorably – though rarely without battle – toward European-style socialism. Through the warring perspectives of a few powerful, deluded men and women who claim to know what’s best for you, we reached a national drama rife with both bureaucracy-creation and wealth destruction.
The Socialist moved from the halls of academia to the offices of ACORN to a pew in Chicago, and eventually all the way to the oval office, all the while spurred on by the heady early days of a culture-changing phenomenon in the making. In the midst of the chaos and mounting disasters, average American citizens began to object, eventually adding up to more than the sum of their parts in what has become a multi-front, 21st century clash of worldviews.
D.C. Delegate to Congress, and privileged to use the moniker "Congresswoman" Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called a lobbyist and left a voicemail directly and very clearly asking for a contribution sent directly to her. In the audio below, she leaves her P.O. box, so you can contribute to her also, if you want to do so.
Nancy Pelosi and Eleanor Holmes Norton
Norton seems perplexed that this particular lobbyist has never given her a contribution, and she mentions that donations have been made to other members of her committee. As a senior committee member, Norton brashly asks to paid for her "long and deep work" on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
(Isn't that the Taj Mahal Pelosi and Norton are standing in front of? I think it is. No doubt we taxpayers paid for that trip.)
BigGovernment broke this story and they some analyzation: At the beginning of the tape Norton mentions other on her committee who have received contributions from this lobbyist.
Beyond being a bit heavy-handed, where did she get this information? Such donations are listed in FEC reports, but it is a violation to use that information to solicit campaign donations.
More serious, however, is her frequent mention of her seniority and her Chairmanship of a subcommittee. She is attempting to solicit funds based on her past actions taken in her official capacity in Congress. She is implying to the lobbyist that, should he decline to donate, he will be turning down a senior member of Congress who Chairs a subcommittee highly relevant to his “sector”.
Worse than that, she details her role overseeing a large economic development project in the District, funded by “stimulus” funds. It would appear that either the lobbyist has an interest in this project, or the Congresswoman thinks he does, as she states she is “frankly surprised” the lobbyist hasn’t given to her. Especially, she notes, because of her long and deep work …in fact it has been by major work on the committee and subcommittee it’s been essentially in your sector
According to BigGovernment, it is a misdemeanor to ask for a "reward" via a contribution (18 U.S.C. § 600), and a misdemeanor to threaten to deny anyone government benefit if a contribution is not made (18 U.S.C. § 601).
Then there are House Ethics rules that she seems to have breached.
p. 147: “[N]o solicitation of a campaign or political contribution may be linked to an action taken or to be taken by a Member … in his or her official capacity. … The Standards Committee has long advised Members … that they should always exercise caution to avoid even the appearance that solicitations of campaign contributions are connected in any way with an action taken or to be taken in their official capacity. …
p. 150: “[A] Member may not accept any contribution that is linked with an action that the Member has taken or is being asked to take. A corollary of these rules is that Members … are not to take or withhold any official action on the basis of the campaign contributions or support of the involved individuals
It is considered unethical to solicit funds on federal property. From where did she make the call? As a "delegate," Norton can sit in the House chamber, but can only vote in committee. Norton, of course, is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus.
The Lonely Conservative acknowledges "crooked" Democrats as the norm, but asks if the party will "mind one that's crooked and stupid?" I don't think they will, LC. Maxine Waters and Hank Johnson are still around.
Read the entire text of the phone call at BigGovernment, along with more on the corruption, and listen to it below.
I really enjoy reading "round-up" articles from respected bloggers because I find new blogs, and new takes on old issues. I also love to do my own reading round-up because the powerful writing on conservative blogs is simply mind-blowing. This time I found far too many for one post, so I will have another in a day or two. In the meantime...
Thomas Sowell [Thomas Sowell, Race and Culture, BasicBooks, 1994, p. 188] estimates that 11 million slaves were shipped across the Atlantic and 14 million were sent to the Islamic nations of North Africa and the Middle East.
Undeterred by these unhappy events, UC Berkley graduates Sarah Shourd, Josh Fattal, and Shane Bauer mistakenly wandered into Iran while on a holiday to the Middle East. As an aside, we wonder what kind of idiot goes on holiday in a region of the world where Islamic radicals hang homosexuals from cherry pickers, leaving their rotting corpses on display to the masses. We don’t think they were on holiday at all. We think they were making a Code Pink statement supporting the Iranians against their own countrymen —but this is the value of a UC Berkeley education.
What a relief. Remember all the folks who were assaulted at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Beat Whitey Night? Authorities have determined there was no racism involved. A spokeswoman who suggested otherwise has been punished.
I think it would serve just as much of a purpose to just cancel the thing the day before. He will have ‘tweaked the Muslims’ and brought some attention to it and perhaps they’ll act like animals anyways and prove the point without actually ‘burning’ them.
That’s just how I feel, I wouldn’t want them burning bibles, but then again, they don’t have time for that in between killing and beheading Jews Muslims and Christians whenever they can.
NEWSFLASH - Because of this article, Ray at Conservative Chronicles has been asked to appear on the BBC's global radio program, World Have Your Say. He is scheduled for the next Islamic-issue-oriented segment. Congratulations Ray!
teresamerica - More Black Conservatives speaking their Minds to Al Sharpton Protesters in DC
A teacher's voice is heard in this powerful video - WOW, she is good!
Awesome! Take a look at the Military cemetery in Verdun, France, the suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark and the ruins of a medieval city of Shali, Egypt
Reaganite Republican - Bumbling Obama will need a Miracle to Avoid Jimmy Carter's Fate Now
...the harsh caning his power-mad Democratic Party is about to receive at the hand of the American voter now spells doom for the entire Obama "progressive" legislative agenda
Si Vis Pacem - How About...Shock Therapy on the Delaware Primary
Mike Castle doesn’t represent much of a choice on either plank in the long run. If O’Donnell sells her message well, a lot of those seeking liberty and prosperity will vote with her.
Ran is celebrating his First Annibloggary! Stop by, read about the Conservative in the Delaware Senate race (not the Republican incumbent), and salute his Annibloggary
Check out what has been happening while Leftists worshipped at the throne of global warming - very interesting video. Don't miss it at about 8 mins-in.
Holger Awakens - Egyptian Cleric: If Women are Harassed in Hijab, Stay in the House.
"Allah mentioned the adulteress first because it is women who seduce to sin. Women tempt men and attract them. By Allah, if a woman covers and protects herself, nobody will attack her.
Carly Fiorina is hot on the issues and totally polished. She doesn't get flustered at all. Barbara Boxer agreed to one debate previously, and according to George Skelton, she came up short and she's balking at another round
I told you about this in October of 2008, and again in May of this year. There is too much wealth sitting out there in private retirement accounts and the progressive statists want to get their hands on it.
No Sheeples Here - Project 2996: Remembering Darlene "Dee" Flagg
Project 2996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11. 2,996 stories…2,996 voices…2,996 remembered. Each day, from now until September 11th, this blog will honor the memory of a 9/11 victim.
Carol at No Sheeple Here also produced a video reminder of the days just following September 11, 2001
Holger at Holger Awakens tells us about his weekend when he attended "the miracle wedding." Read this touching story of the tragedy and triumph that brought two military heroes together.
This past weekend, I traveled to attend a wedding. Yeah, I can hear you now...."big deal, Holger!" Well, you see, this wasn't just an ordinary wedding, folks ... this was a "Miracle" wedding.
I sat in the overflow loft of a little country church in rural Oregon on Saturday and saw Christopher Frost and Catherine Neary exchange their vows, to promise to love each other forever and ever until death do them part. What most of you don't know, is that this member of the Airforce and this medically discharged member of the Army had to pass Death on their way to the altar.
Let me share this regarding the service of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Frost of the U.S. Air Force (from OurMilitaryHeroes):
On May 18, 2008, while conducting a counter-improvised explosive device mission in Iraq, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher J. Frost was seriously wounded when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a large, buried IED.
The explosion severely injured three personnel and killed one, Frost said. I lost my right leg below the knee, sustained severe injuries to my left foot and ankle and broke the orbit of my right eye. Other than losing my right leg, the physical therapy I need for my left foot, and learning to use a prosthetic, I do not feel that my injury has changed me. I did not suffer a brain injury, nor do I suffer from any [post-traumatic stress disorder].
As Weapons Intelligence Flight team leader for Weapons Intelligence Team 1, Multi-National Division North Weapons Intelligence Section, in Joint Task Force Troy at Forward at Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq, from Dec. 9, 2007, to May 20, 2008, Frost is described as providing flawless support to the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, and associated units.
When he first arrived in Iraq, Frost was directly responsible for the acquisition, distribution and maintenance of more than $2 million worth of technical exploitation and force protection equipment. His efforts resulted in the overwhelming success of more than 400 combat missions conducted in the most lethal area of Iraq's Salahuddin province.
Despite his injuries, Frost plans to remain in the Air Force for seven more years until retirement. He also plans on keeping his Air Force specialty code of 3E871, explosive ordnance disposal.
Now, let me share something regarding the bride, Army Spec. Catherine Neary (from af.mil):
"This afternoon, being at Ground Zero, that's very emotional," said Army Spc. Catherine Neary. "It's something that I won't forget."
Specialist Neary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring while serving at Camp Victory, Iraq.
And this is from Cat's blog regarding the moment she was diagnosed with the tumor while in medical unit in Baghdad:
That morning I finally see the surgeon and the first thing he tells me, "hun I'm not going to sugar coat this for you" and went on to tell me they had found a 4cm tumor on the head of my pancreas. I was going to be medivaced to Walter Reed in Washington DC and have a very hard surgery to remove it. IF I was lucky and they had found this in time, hopefully chemo would save me and I could recover from this.
I took this in, listening carefully...I was so glad to finally have a reason for being sick, that I wasn't just making it up or looking for attention. So when he asked if I had any questions, I asked just one. "Sir, will I get to come back to Iraq and be with my unit?"
Now, I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing Catherine Neary for a couple of years through a blogging network - I first met her when she was serving in Iraq and along with many of her other friends, we lived through the crisis of her diagnosis of a pancreatic tumor and her transport out of Camp Victory in Baghdad to Germany and then on to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland where G_d answered our prayers and surgeons successfully removed her tumor.
This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting her now husband, Christopher, and saw just what Catherine had seen in him when they met at Walter Reed - an honorable man, a good man and yes, a warrior.
So, as I stood in that little loft in that country church this weekend and I saw these two people who had been willing to dedicate their lives to America's service, well it was emotional - as I saw Chris, thisBronze Star recipient, walk to the back of the altar to light the unity candle with his prosthetic and Cat join him, knowing of her scar under the gorgeous wedding grown...well, I couldn't quell the emotion. How G_d has blessed this young couple - knowing each of them has so narrowly escaped death while in the service of their country, only to meet while healing at Walter Reed...well, man, it's what movies are made of!
This is my chance to tell the whole world how proud of you, I am Cat! And also my chance to tell Christopher again - thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice to this country.
May G_d bless them, and hold them and make their days together forever bright.
Democrat Congressman Russ Carnahan's (MO) office was firebombed on August 17th in the wee hours of the morning. An arrest was made almost immediately. The Looney-Left quickly blamed Tea partiers,...then the "suspect" was released and the Carnahan office clammed-up. Reportedly, the perpetrator is Chris Powers, a "progressive activist" working for Carnahan.
Chris Powers (left in orange shirt)
Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit has the story of Chris Powers, the "disgruntled" Lefty who didn't "get paid" for canvassing for Carnahan. According to Hoft, Powers is a TMP blogger under the name Ripper McCord.
Dana Loesch blasts the rush to judgement and asks if Carnahan's office knew the perpetrator but kept quiet about it.
Take a look at this quote in the Riverfront Times Blog about the suspect that was released before the Carnahan employee (Powers) was identified:
Police aren't releasing the man's name until charges are officially filed. No motive was given for the attack, though one could suspect that the perpetrator is not a fan of the congressman. Given what we know of him -- 50, white, angry -- he certainly fits the demographics of a Tea Party member.
Three reasons to watch this video: 1) Eric Bolling on Fox Business News reveals documents filed in August 2009 disclosing Imam Rauf and his Cordoba Initiative had only $18,000 in assets at the end of 2008. How do you plan to build a $100 million victory trophy mosque at Ground Zero without major donors? Note that Arabs are not the most giving societies among the world's population, until it comes to terrorism; and 2) Pam Geller, author and blogger-extraordinaire is on the program with a new quote from Rauf, at least it is new to me. You don't want to miss it because it clearly shows the plans Rauf has for your children and grandchildren; and 3) Aaron Klein, WorldNetDaily Jerusalem Bureau Chief says Rauf purchased this Burlington Coat Factory building (the proposed site of the mosque) for $5 million. Visit Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) for more information on the Islamic Victory Trophy Mosque at Ground Zero.
FBN Eric Bolling and Pamela Geller - Ground Zero Mosque (video)
Many of you know Luton, England's Paul Rey, more commonly known on the InterWeb as Lionheart. Paul was persecuted by the Muslims in his hometown not far from London, for speaking out against the outrages in his beloved homeland. He has experienced Islam in a far too personal way. The video is a history of how Islam gains its foothold. It is a raw look at our future. It is a warning we must heed. At the end of the video Lionheart has a short and heartfelt tribute to Roger Gardner, the master blogger at Radarsite who lost his battle with leukemia almost a year ago. Roger was a daily warrior against the Islamification of the United States. He wrote with fierce strokes of his keyboard - an impassioned and public love for our country. His voice was a warning cry. We need it more than ever today.
This video is a fine and sobering work, to be added to the volumes of documentation of Islam produced by Lionheart. If you have a spare minute, go by his blog, Lionheart, browse through the archives where you will find the truth about Islam in Britain, what is coming to America, and leave a message of appreciation.
Bloggers, please feel free to help me send this video viral. If you use it, I ask that you link back to Lionheart.
4G Warfare: Ground Zero Mosque by Lionheart (video)
The Underpants bomber was aboard Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, the day before Christmas. Ten days later Flight 243 also from Amsterdam to Detroit brought four scary, and rudely disruptive Saudis, all with the last name, all students at the University of Akron, plus one more Saudi man that didn't get suspicious until the flight had descended to 500 feet above ground. The five men went through security and were cleared in Saudi Arabia. They mimicked the Underpants bomber's behavior aboard this flight. Finally via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) there is information about the men - who dropped from the press like a hot rock - likely because you and I have no need to know, and afterall, we wouldn't want to upset Arab communities. See a video below.
Detroit Metro Airport
The Dearborn Underground has a revealing report posted, taken directly from the Transportation Security Administration. First, a few points. These men were released by authorities only a short time after the flight landed. There were four Federal Air Marshalls on the flight. They were unconcerned about the fidgeting men, and one Marshall spent an hour in the cockpit with the Captain in an effort to convince him there was no threat. Presumably after the Captain "agreed" with the Marshall, the Flight Attendants were not convinced, and neither was the pilot as the reports of odd behavior kept rolling in.
The suspicious activity began shortly after takeoff. Passengers and crews endured these men for the entire flight. In the end, the Captain asked for emergency landing privileges, and received permission. On landing at Detroit Metro, the plane was taken a distance from the main airport area, checked and then sent on to the terminal, where the flight was met by authorities. The FBI was absent.
At "1300 hours," fighters were placed on battle stations at Toledo, but did not take off.
The Federal Air Marshall team leader said he was shocked when he learned of the Captain's request for security assistance on landing. The Marshall thought he had changed the Captain's mind.
Suffice it to say, when a Captain fully expects his flight to blow-up on descent, the Captain was not comforted by the Air Marshall. We know that if the Captain makes it safely to the ground, so do the passengers, and this Captain made the decision to err on the safer side. Three thumbs up for this Captain.
The FOIA documents say the four men with the same last name were scattered around the cabin. The fifth man, who has not been identified to be with the other four was sitting away from the other four.
The four men engaged in the behavior we have heard about on so many flights: they were up and down, back and forth to the restrooms, ignored seatbelt warnings, covered their heads completely with blankets, as did Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Their hands were covered and they "fiddled" with something, as did the Underpants bomber. Some of the men also put a coat over their lap, and "fiddled" actively under the coat - enough that the Flight Attendants could easily see that their hands were busy doing something. The video below says Air Marshalls reported that the men spoke "inappropriately."
At one point, a Flight Attendant removed the coat from the passenger and put it in the overhead. With the seatbelt sign on, the passenger got up and retrieved his jacket.
Some went back and forth to the lavatory, at times staying a long length of time, and sometimes not long enough to use the facility.
The fifth Saudi waited until the last minute, when the flight was just 500 feet off the ground, then threw off his seat belt and "ran" to the lavatory...and then right back again - as a Flight Attendant and a Marshall tried to retrieve him after being buckled-up and ready for landing.
To demonstrate the quandary:
Earlier, some FAs passed it off as “college kids acting ‘goofy.’” Then one of them recounts how her mind was changed as the flight was making its final approach to Detroit and the cabin was supposed to be secured for landing:
“...one passenger 42D or 32H got up to go to the bathroom. Passengers [in adjacent other seats] had a coat across their laps and were fiddling with something under their (sic) coat.“
At this time we considered this to be a credible threat and landing the airplane quickly with everyones (sic) help became a higher priority. Preparing for a bomb blast was a higher priority.”
Dearborn Underground has transcripts of pertinent parts of the report along with commentary. The point is that these jokers were quickly released to go on their merry way. The fifth passenger, running down the aisle of the plane at an altitude of 500 feet, wasn't even questioned, let alone detained.
We know that not a single one of us would take part in any of these behaviors - mimicking the Underpants bomber. We know there are things we cannot say or do in public places these days, so where is the disapproval of doing a copycat of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab?
Perhaps this was a dry run, so knowing that is a possibility, and having no way to rule-out the possibility, why are these men's names not on a no-fly list? How about sending a strong, public message to Arab men that Americans are sick of this, and authorities will no longer tolerate the behavior. How about issuing an ultimatum: Try this again, and Marshall's will detain you, cuff you and lock you in a seat until landing is achieved. When you hit the airport you will be heavily, heavily fined and put on the no-fly list for a year. Let's do it.
Five Saudi Males - Suspicious Behavior NW Flt. 243 (video)
Have you heard of the Shariah Index Project? I had not until I found an article at Big Peace. Six floors of the Victory Trophy mosque at Ground Zero seem not to be dedicated to anything in particular, with evidence leading to the space being used for The Shariah Index Project.
The Gates of Vienna also talks about the Victory Trophy mosque at Ground Zero and The Shariah Index Project. They quote from a document used in the Holy Land Foundation trial in 2008, from a 1991 document by Mohamed Akram:
The process of settlement is a “Civilization-Jihadist Process” with all the means. The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and “sabotaging” its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and Allah’s religion is made victorious over all other religions. […] It is a Muslim’s destiny to perform Jihad and work wherever he is…
From Gates of Vienna - who asks "how much of this is being funded and pushed by our own government...the State Department for example." I hope you read it:
The above is a clear declaration that the front organizations of the Muslim Brotherhood — CAIR, ISNA, ICNA, NAIT, MSA, IIIT, etc. — intended to “bore from within” and overthrow American constitutional government by subverting our own institutions.
So what is the Shariah Index Project? If you believe the rhetoric at the Cordoba Initiative website, it is intended to solve the question "that has RACKED the Muslim World since the death of the Prophet Muhammad."
...it evolves around the right balance between institutions of political power and authority and institutions of religious power and authority, and whether the modern nation state Muslims live in should be a secular or religious (i.e. Islamic) State?
The goal is to provide an Islamic "legal benchmark for measuring 'Islamicity' of a state in ALL NATIONS. Now, how hilarious is that and how many Islamic countries do we know that are successfully secular? This source lists these countries as secular: Turkey, Iran, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Bangladesh. Apparently, the decidedly Shariah condition in Turkey has slipped by unnoticed. To think that Iran, Syria and Lebanon are secular is a dishonest joke. Africa is teeming with Islamic warlords.
The "Index" provides it's own "theoretical foundation," and will provide an Annual State of the Muslim World Index. Interestingly, the "Index" is partnered with Gallup polling, which polls 44 Muslim-majority nations. The states of the hardliner Organization of the Islamic Conference, is also included. As I read through the Big Peace article, I see that Pew and Harvard University get in on the partnership, as well.
So, the above, excluding my commentary, is from the Shariah Index Project website. Do we know anything about the truth?
Big Peace has done quite a work, sifting through documents and websites - even numbering them for our convenience. The opinion of the writer, Christine Brim, concludes that the goal is "institutionalize Shariah in America," which is a certainty, and to house the effort inside the Victory Trophy mosque at Ground Zero. This will bring Islamic scholars from all over the world to Manhattan, maybe permanently. The Shariah Index Project is just one more form of jihad. If you are unfamiliar with Shariah Compliant Financing, in which the Harvard University Law School's Project on Islamic Finance is leading the way, please view this video as banks are standing in line to sign up.
Al-Qaeda's Saeed al-Shihri was detained at Guantanamo, then released and is now in Yemen calling for accelerated jihad within the Saudia Arabian army. Al-Qaeda has "supporters" in the Saudi army. Who knew (of course we knew)....and we are sending arms to the Monarchy at stealth speed? De-throning the Saudi Arabian royals is now officially on the terrorism calendar, according Saeed al-Shihri, who accuses the Saudi monarchy of aiding the U.S. in killing Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen. The order has gone out to kidnap Saudi princes, ministers and Christian residents of the country, and to attack Israel "from northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saeed al-Shihri
According to Saeed al-Shihri, who is a Saudi national, some Saudi military members are asking whether they should stay in the "army" or join al-Qaeda in Yemen. The advice given:
“Unite ranks, call for Jihad within your departments, and form Islamic cells to attract whoever can help in military or political organizational work.”
The al-Qaeda leader also called on its followers in the armed forces to attack Israel from northwestern Saudi Arabia. “Carry your arms against Israel, which is only few kilometres away from you,” al-Shihri said. “Whoever among you is a pilot should seek martyrdom in the skies of Palestine, and who works in the navy should aim his weapon at the Jews there.”
The U.S. embassy has notified U.S. residents of the danger:
The U.S. embassy warned its citizens in the kingdom that it has credible information that unidentified extremists may be planning to attack western nationals in al-Qassim province north of Riyadh, according to a Warden Message on its website dated Aug. 4. The timing and method of potential attacks aren’t known, according to the statement.
In the meantime, the U.S. has devised a continued arms sale package to Saudi Arabia, considered the biggest overseas U.S. arms sale in our history. The al-Saud family has a lot at stake. They need us and we need them, but what happens after the Iranian nuclear threat to the area is gone? Think how this story might different had we dealt with Iran several years ago. Jihad Watch has more.
Carol at No Sheeples Here has once again produced the consummate video response to Liberals and their ugly rejoinder to everything honorable - and specifically TEA Parties. Democrats have organized a F*ck Tea Party campaign. Nice, huh? No Sheeples Here suggests they F*ck Kool-Aid. As you watch the video, pay attention to the music by Lily Allen. Of course, there is salty, but meaningful language throughout. Carol's Definite Opinion productions knocked it out of the ballpark, and suggests we simply F*ck Kool-Aid.
A new progressive group called the F*ck Tea campaign. "Progress is the real American party," reads the campaign website's tag line.
"Set aside your good manners, your tolerance, your measured understanding of policy differences, and your earnest do-gooder ideas for a just a moment to join me in telling the Tea Party what you really think of them," Agenda Project founder Erica Payne said in a press release.
The Agenda Project describes itself as "a public policy organization dedicated to building a powerful, intelligent and well-connected political movement capable of identifying and advancing rational, effective, non-ideological ideas in the public debate."
So you say, "hey Maggie - these people aren't Democrats" - "this has nothing to do with Democrats," well, my Liberal friend, you would be wrong:
While the Tea Party and the subsequent Coffee Party are grassroots, decentralized movements, Payne's Agenda Project is structured as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. Payne is a former Democratic National Committee official who has founded other organizations like the Democracy Alliance, a group of liberal donors whose partners have invested over $100 million in progressive organizations.
No Sheeples Here has some great commentary about F*uck-ing Tea. Follow her links to other pithy bloggers also talking about these people across the aisle who know not of honor.
Ron Wilkins, now a professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, infiltrated Shirley and Charles Sherrod's New Communities, Inc. farm on behalf of a group who was overseeing the farm's work. Wilkins later became an "organizer" for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), in which Charles Sherrod is considered a "key civil rights leader. Wilkins says Sherrod "misused" workers, most of whom were only 16 years old and did it on the very lands where her ancestors toiled as slaves.
Shirley Sherrod
Joe R. Hicks, a member of The National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives' Project 21 says Shirley Sherrod is alleged by Wilkins to have "presided over the crass exploitation of poor black workers on a southwest Georgia agricultural 'plantation.' Hicks said Wilkins "should know what he's talking about."
According to this bio of Charles Sherrod, he "began the agricultural cooperative known as New Communities, Inc.(NCI). Shirley Sherrod was the NCI store manager during the 1970's. She was a key member of the administrative team, which according to Wilkins "exploited and abused the workforce in the field on the 6,000 acre plantation." Wilkins says the plantation was touted through the '60's and '70's as" a land trust committed to improving the lives of the rural black poor."
Underneath this facade, the young and old worked long hours with few breaks, the pay averaged sixty-seven cents an hour, fieldwork behind equipment spraying pesticides was commonplace and workers expressing dissatisfaction were fired without recourse.
Wilkins claims he made $40 a week ($174 in 2009 dollars) at the time he was fired. His 2010 claims about conditions at the NCI farm and managers' anti-labor behavior are reported in a September 28, 1974 article in the United Farm Workers newspaper El Malcriado -- which specifically cites Charles Sherrod as a manager of the farm.
Wilkins said while he was working at NCI, attempting to "organize NCI workers, he was fired, evicted from a NCI-owned shack, and arrested on bogus charges.
The 1974 article in the United Farm Workers newspaper El Malcriado is a pdf. The following is a partial transcript:
Children Farm Workers Strike Black Co-op: Albany, Georgia (September 28, 1974)
The black eagle flag first flew over the fields of Georgia on August 19th, when 50 Black farm workers, most of them under 16 years of age, walked out on strike at Ne Communities, Inc., a farming cooperative near here.
As the strike enters its fourth week, only management and eight workers are gathering the harvest at this 6,000 acre farm.
The strikers walked out for a living wage and humane working conditions.
Not only must they work behind machines spraying lethal pesticides, but there is no definite pay scale.
Waged paid by New Communities vary from 67 cents to $1.63 per hour, and management pays each worker whatever they please, according to personal preference.
Strikers say they must put in unnecessary overtime, on a half-hour's notice, at ungodly hours because the farm is poorly managed.
The farm's manager, for instance, would accept a large produce order late in the afternoon and then require people to work late into the night so that the order would be filled the next morning.
Management had convinced the workers that they should not expect better pay or hours because the entire cooperative was losing money.
Robert Johnson, one of the employees, finally organized the current strike but as promptly fired.
The day after the strike began, the workers called on the United Farm Workers (UFW) field office in Avon Park, Florida for assistance.
Mack Lyons, Florida field office director and UFW National Executive Board member, met with the strikers in Georgia.
The workers signed UFW authorization cards (cards which name the UFW as the bargaining agent of their choice) and voted to demand a UFW contract with the protections of the union's Coca-Cola contract in Florida.
The union has already won back pay for workers who were not earning the minimum wage, sometimes amounting to as much as $500.
Through several of this Black cooperative's funding organizations are pressuring Charles Sherrod, the farm's manager, to reach a settlement with the strikers, he remains unwilling to negotiate.
With so few scabs left in New Community's fields, the UF's first strike in the southeast area (outside of Florida) may also bring the first of many UFW contracts to these fields that were once harvested by slave labor. End
Joe Hicks says if these charges are true, Shirley Sherrod "owes an explanation and an apology -- not only to Wilkins but to the other black farm workers she misused." Hicks is currently the host of The Hicks File at PJTV.com and a former executive director of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. If you need background on Shirley Sherrod, her husband and Andrew Breitbart who posted a video of Shirley (she is suing him) that got this ball rolling, begin here, then go here and then here. This CounterPunch article was written by Ron Wilkins, about the Sherrod's on August 2, 2010. Thanks to DaleyGator
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