Former Bradley Student from Peoria IL Al Qaeda Agent pleads GUILTY in Aiding Sept. 11 Attackers

A former Bradley University student pleaded guilty in Peoria federal court today to conspiring with, and providing support for, Al Qaeda operatives in the months before and after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Ali al-Marri, 43, (seen in this picture in his super secret spy outfit that allowed him to just blend right in Midwestern town of Peoria IL - I mean look at that Mullet!) spoke softly and occasionally smiled as U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm read aloud a timeline of criminal activity that included meetings with two key architects of the terrorist attacks, participating in terrorist training camps in Pakistan and researching cyanide compounds and other chemical agents purportedly for an attack on U.S soil.

"Ali al-Marri today admitted that he came here, to Peoria, Illinois, as an Al Qaeda operative the day before the Sept. 11 attacks to plan and prepare for future acts of terrorism within the United States," said Jeffrey Lang, acting U.S. Attorney for the central district of Illinois.

Appearing in khaki pants, a plain white shirt and white kufi hat, the bearded al-Marri admitted to having associations with both Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, chief financier of the attacks, prior to arriving in the U.S. on Sept. 10, 2001 after obtaining a student visa from Bradley University.

While training at several terrorist camps in Pakistan, al-Marri admitted he became an expert with military weapons, learned to conceal his identity online and used his computer to research chemical agents that could be used in an attack.

U.S. attorneys culled from al-Marri's laptop computer research on various cyanide compounds, their toxicity levels and where they could be bought.

Al-Marri also admitted to exploring uses from sulfuric acid. And while it's not certain whether al-Marri planned to use these chemicals, U.S. agents also recovered from his house an almanac with pages book-marked showing U.S. bridges, roads and waterways.

A native of Qatar and a father of five, al-Marri was living in Peoria on a student visa when he was arrested.

He was initially charged in federal court and then suddenly shifted over to military custody and then held for years without charges.

Al-Marri is being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Ill. His attorneys are seeking to have him serve his imprisonment in his native Qatar.

Tribune staff reporters Josh Meyer and David G. Savage contributed to this report from Washington.

Al-Marri is being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Ill. His attorneys are seeking to have him serve his imprisonment in his native Qatar.

- No doubt this story isn't even started. Again, the Obama Administration walks the tightrope of getting Al-Marri out of military custody - but will try him in the civilian courts. Obviously the political and National Security issues conflict here.

Why Al-Marri isn't being hung NOW - and I mean RIGHT NOW for admission of treason and for crimes against humanity are unclear.

Seven?! ONLY 7 Deaths??

Did we say 152 swine flu deaths so far? Oh, oops sorry, we meant 7!

A member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed claims that more than 150 people have died from swine flu, saying it has officially recorded only seven deaths around the world.

Vivienne Allan, from WHO's patient safety program, said the body had confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths - all in Mexico - and 79 confirmed cases of the disease."

"Unfortunately that [150-plus deaths] is incorrect information and it does happen, but that's not information that's come from the World Health Organisation," Ms Allan told ABC Radio today.

"That figure is not a figure that's come from the World Health Organisation and, I repeat, the death toll is seven and they are all from Mexico."

I guess that also counts the Mexican kid who was flown in to die in Texas yesterday?

Sigh. Well, good. Now we can go back to wondering what's on television tonight then?

Wait! Damn it, now bacon prices are going to go back up!? Son of a -

100 Days

100 Days - 100 Mistakes (NY Post)

100 Days of Fellatio (Huffington Post)

The NY Times is trying to compare 100 days of some of the other Presidents - not Lincoln though, for some reason? Obama at 100 Days: How Does He Compare?

Look, it's been 100 days. Whoopie. Who cares?

Depending on how you voted - if your team won or lost, you probably are either really bitter or still full of Hope and Change.

One hundred years from this day
Will the people still feel this way
And still say
The things that they're saying right now.
The Byrds, "One Hundred Years From Now," 1968.

Yeah, I quoted the Byrds. Deal with it.

What troubles me, and also gives me plenty of political crap to write about, is that there have been SO many gaffs, glitches and stupid - stupid moves since - well, he was actually sworn in. This was the guy who was supposed to be so gifted in his ability to lead - speak intelligently - and unite.

I haven't seen much of that. Have you? I've seen a lot of finger pointing, teleprompter hickups, and half a country that is scared as hell. At best, Obama is a great pitchman for himself and boring old Democrat ideas.

The Obama White House has given us a mistake or two per day - and I don't even mean something that pisses off that half of the country that didn't vote for him... you know simple things like changing the abortion rules, taxing your miles [yeah, they're bringing that out again], or giving every American an additional $27,000 tax burden to pay off. No, I'm not talking about those issues.

I don't have to go back 100 full days. As recent as the Air Force One photo op two days ago [Remember April 27, 09!] that buzzed lower Manhattan. Obama said "I heard about it when you did..." What'd he do, turn on the TV and say, "Hey, what's my plane doing up there?" Do you have any idea how many people would have had to know and approve that? And what did they think before hand, that NO one in NYC would notice a 747 with a F-16 escort and think - oh hey, it's the President waving down at us? When it went south, everyone in the White House pointed fingers and denied any knowledge, and even started an investigation. Sounds like a cover up - but only because it didn't go off the way they thought it would. Stupid gaffe. Worse was their action afterward.

The lack of responsibility and owing up to stupid gaffs like the Air Force One (We don't have Photoshop?) photo shoot make me really fearful about what's going on behind the scenes with the really LARGE problems - like the plan to 'give' GM to the UAW. What the hell is that? That doesn't make any sense - but it sure seems like a great deal for the labor movement.

Remember when Obama bowed to Saudi King Abdullah? - it was just a stupid gaffe... But then there was so much denial that he even did it... in the White House and then Tweeted back by the media. Stupid. It was a mistake for the President of the Free World bowing to a monarch. It was a bigger mistake to deny that he bowed. Just say, "hey, dumb move" and move on.

Then there are lingering issues, for me. Like when Hillary 'got selected' to be the Secretary of State. He didn't want a fight in Denver. Fine. Sec. of State was the concession that he had to make for her to back off. Who am I to question it, since no one else has? But I'll toss this out, it makes me uncomfortable with that one decision - because it shows how quickly he caves under pressure.



He was supposed to be better than this... and [so far] he just isn't.

Death from...

Something to think about, for a moment...

The number of deaths - i.e. in the 'leading causes of death' bracket winners in America....

• Heart disease: 652,091
• Cancer: 559,312
• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809
• Diabetes: 75,119
• Alzheimer's disease: 71,599
• Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901
• Septicemia: 34,136

Source: Deaths: Final Data for 2005, Table C

According to an annual report published by the National Safety Council, there were 39,800 deaths last year related to motor vehicles in 2008.

The Swine Flu/Mexican (gotta keep it Kosher for our Israeli and Islamic friends out there) has killed 1 person in America. Hold on now, that's not 1 American... that one death was a Mexican child that took a plane to Houston and later died of the infection. What, you didn't hear about that part? No kidding?

Not to belittle the death of a child - that's not cool - but the fact that the FACTS aren't being discussed, and that our friends in the MSM have NOTHING to do but whip up unfounded fear and silliness over the flu. There's zero "reporting."

What do I suggest? How about how a little painter's mask isn't going to do anything to prevent you getting the flu. Maybe it is? I don't know, I sure as hell haven't heard anything about it.

How about a story 'reporting' and 'investigating' how or why the Mexican strain (it's the same) has killed people, but everywhere else it hasn't (so far). Is it because of Mexican Socialized Medicine? Lack of meds? Lack of care? Lack of training? Or is it because the folks who were infected were poor, vs. the Westerners were rich? Again, a lot of questions that haven't been asked - just a tally meter to tell you how many people have it on Google Maps.

Yeah, I posted that too - along with a second map that posted how many OTHER diseases are ravaging the entire world. If there was a map showing you how many people are suffering seasonal allergies - it'd be more impressive. Single cases and individual suspected cases sure is not news - nor does it look like a sweeping pandemic.

Now if in three weeks they're shutting down the ports in Madagascar... [you either get that gag, or you don't] ...then I'll shut my whore mouth.

If you excuse me, I've got to get to the grocery store and stock up on bacon since a whole pile of idiots think that you get the flu from eating pork. I mean - yeah, don't buy my bacon - it'll give you the Death Flu!!!

The Facts

Mexican Flu / Swine Flu: Top 21 Answers You Need to Know

With more outbreaks of the new strain of swine flu come outbreaks of misinformation and rumor.

Twitter is proving to be notorious for spreading false information.

The following are 21 questions answered by infectious disease expert Charles Ericsson, M.D., professor of internal medicine and director of Travel Medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Also, Robert Emery, DrPH, vice president for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management at UT Health Science Center and associate professor in the UT School of Public Health explains common sense preparedness and prevention of illness.

1. How do symptoms of swine flu differ from other types of flu?

None, really, although this flu might include gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting), as well as the usual respiratory symptoms. The basic symptoms for swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu we are vaccinated for each year, which may include:

• Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Headache and body aches
• Fatigue

2. If I felt flu-like, how would I know if I had swine flu?

You wouldn't really, nor would your physician know for sure without a respiratory specimen taken within the first 4-5 days. The specimen would then be sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cases so far in the US have been relatively mild compared to the illness described in patients in Mexico. We do not yet know why the US cases have been milder.

The important point is to call your doctor if you think you have the flu. Prescription anti-viral drugs such as TamiFlu or Relenza can be called in by your doctor. Unless you are:

• exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
• are chronically ill
• immune-suppressed
• quite elderly
• or have a very young child, under age 2

It is best not to report to the hospital, clinic or doctor's office, where you could risk spreading the disease. Again, call your doctor first to get instructions as to what you need to do next.

3. How long are people contagious?

Adults are potentially contagious for the length of time one has symptoms, up to 7 days following the beginning of illness. The “shedding stage” of the virus is during the first 4-5 days of illness. Children can be considered contagious longer, up to 10 days. The initial incubation period is 24-48 hours.

4. Is there medication for this?

Yes, Tamiflu or Relenza have shown to be effective against these recently reported strains of swine flu. Altogether, there are four anti-viral drugs that we commonly use to treat various strains of flu.

5. Can I start taking medicine for it now, just in case I get it later?

That is not presently advised. Preventative medication might be advised for very special circumstances where a person had to expose themselves to potentially ill people during an epidemic (which we do not yet have here). Such people might include ER workers. An outbreak in a nursing home, for instance, might lead to protecting all the other residents with a drug like TamiFlu.

For the general public, the current answer is no to prophylactic (preventative) use with anti-viral medications. Its coverage time is limited.

Do not confuse over-the-counter “cold and flu” preparations for anti-flu medications that require a prescription.

6. Are the symptoms in children different from adult symptoms?

Though the basic symptoms are similar, the signs of potentially life-threatening complications differ.

The CDC advises those with these symptoms to seek emergency care immediately:

Emergency warning signs in children are:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting
• Being very irritable
• Fever with a rash

Emergency warning signs in adults are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

7. Is there a vaccine?

Not yet, but the CDC has this current strain of virus and will consider whether to add it to next year’s flu vaccine as time goes on.

8. If I took the swine flu vaccine in the swine flu scare during the 70s, would that cover me? What about this year's flu shot I just took?

We don’t know yet. Previous vaccines could be expected to afford only partial, incomplete protection at best.

This new strain of the swine flu virus (H1N1) actually has a mixture of swine and avian components (not to be confused with the deadly avian flu of Southeast Asia).

9. Can I catch it from pigs?

No. This strain is one that is communicable through human-to-human contact. It is a mutated form of a swine virus.

10. Can I catch it from eating pork?

Absolutely not! Swine flu is not transmitted by food. It is not a so-called foodborne illness. Bacon, ham and other pork products are safe to eat, assuming they are prepared properly. An internal temperature of 160 degrees for cooked meat will kill any bacteria or virus.

Swine flu is transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands, or germ-laden surfaces. Eating pork will not give you swine flu any more than eating chicken will give you bird flu.

11. How does it cross from a pig to a human?

The swine virus mutates so that it can infect humans and be spread by humans.

12. Can it kill me?

Deaths have been reported from the Mexico City outbreak. So far the cases in the US have been mild and there have been no deaths as of this writing (Monday, April 27) We do not know all the factors geographically and demographically that may contribute to the mildness or severity of this flu.

But, like seasonal flu, there is the potential for serious outcomes.

13. Why the big concern if the regular flu kills 35,000 people a year, which is why we are all encouraged to get a flu shot?

This is a new flu strain that our bodies have not been exposed to before. The flu strains that the CDC creates a vaccine for each year all have the potential to cause great harm, especially in elderly, pediatric and chronically ill patients. This particular flu strain has struck seemingly healthy, young adults, with some resulting in death in Mexico. It also appears to be quite contagious. We will know more about this strain in the coming days.

14. How is it different from avian (bird) flu?

Avian flu so far has had difficulty infecting humans unless they are exposed intensely to birds, because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by humans to other humans. This virus has origins genetically from both pigs and birds, and the big difference from the avian flu is that this swine virus can be transmitted readily from human to human.

15. Is this just another scare that will go away like bird flu?

Bird flu is a theoretical threat and will need a mutation to be able to be transmitted among humans to become a serious threat. The present "swine/avian" virus clearly has already caused a major outbreak in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, Mexico and has spread to places in the US (California, New York, Texas, Kansas and Ohio). What is not clear yet is whether this virus will result in a so-called pandemic—worldwide spread with major outbreaks--or whether it will fizzle out. But, even if it fizzles out, there is logical concern that it might re-emerge next flu season.

16. Should I cancel my vacation to Mexico?

At this writing, the situation is very fluid, changeable. I suggest checking frequently with the CDC Web site for possible Travel Alerts. I probably would not travel to Mexico City for a vacation that could easily be rescheduled, if for no other reason than the city has tried to limit access to crowded or public places where transmission might be facilitated. That does not sound like a very pleasant vacation to me!

Having said that, there are more than 4,000 flights to Mexico from the US and none have been cancelled as of this writing. However, some international airports in Europe and Asia are stepping up precautions and issuing alerts. Again, check the CDC’s Travel Alerts page.

17. What if I'm on a plane? Should I wear a mask?

Not necessary. The air on a plane is filtered. Transmission might occur if someone sitting close to you coughs or sneezes on you. The newer designs of aircraft airflow keep the air in a top-down flow, not forced air from front to back. However, if you do have a respiratory illness, it might be best not to travel.

18. How long does the germ live on surfaces, like on my desk if someone sneezes in my office?

Influenza virus survives only minutes on inanimate objects or hands, so these are very inefficient ways to spread the illness. Influenza is most easily spread by droplets that come into contact with our mucus membranes such as when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. If we shake hands with an infected person who has just wiped their nose and then we rather quickly rub our nose or eyes with our own hand, then we could get the flu. So, good hand washing does play a role in diminishing the spread of the disease.

19. Other than hand washing and covering my mouth if I sneeze or cough, what can I do to take care of myself and others?

If you are ill, stay home. Control your sneezes and coughs. If you cough into your hand, remember the virus could be live on your hand at least for a few minutes, so wash your hands before touching anyone else. If you get symptoms suggesting the flu, call your doctor, who can call in a prescription for medication to treat the flu. Resist going to the doctor’s office or a hospital ER for influenza symptoms unless you are seriously ill. You do not want to spread the disease to others.

20. What else can I do?

Keep in touch with the most recent CDC messages through the following links:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/whatsnew.htm

Go to the sources of verifiable information such as WHO (World Health Organization) or the CDC.

Most important, be alert, not panicked.

“There is a huge difference between preparedness and paranoia”, says Dr. Robert Emery, occupational health expert at the UT School of Public Health at Houston. “Although we’re dealing with a new strain of flu, a set of universally applicable preventive measures exist that can be employed right away by everyone to help stop the spread of this disease”

21. Zombies?

Really too soon to tell.

Swine Flu not Kosher

Israeli official declares that the Swine flu name offensive

JERUSALEM (AP) — The outbreak of swine flu should be renamed "Mexican" influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork, said an Israeli health official Monday.

Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman said the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions and "we should call this Mexican flu and not swine flu," he told a news conference at a hospital in central Israel.

Both Judaism and Islam consider pigs unclean and forbid the eating of pork products.

Scientists are unsure where the new swine flu virus originally emerged, though it was identifed first in the United States. They say there is nothing about the virus that makes it "Mexican" and worry such a label would be stigmatizing, or racist?

Two Israelis who recently visited Mexico have been hospitalized with symptoms of the flu. Health authorities have not yet confirmed whether they actually have the virus.

The current strain of swine flu is thought to have originated in Mexico where more than 100 people have been killed by the disease so far.

Laboratories in the U.S. and Canada have confirmed that of the samples tested so far, the swine flu virus in Mexico and U.S. appear to be the same.

COME ON PEOPLE!!! It'd be something if they couldn't pronounce the word "swine" or something... but this is just silly. We have nothing else to talk about right now?

I Love Florida

Only in Florida can you have a license plate that violates the separation of Church and State - and have a legislature that approves license plate designs without even LOOKING at before approving it.

Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, made it onto a bill Friday even though many members had not seen images of those plates and none was produced for the debate.

Siplin didn't mince words when asked what his "Trinity" plate looks like, saying, "It has a picture of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ." It, along with a "Preserving the Past" plate offered by Siplin, would benefit the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences.

So if your state is approving license plates without visual approval beforehand, I think there's a photoshop contest in there somewhere.

How about this - Submit your license plate design!

Pandemic or Pandemonium?

Scared yet? No!? Then somebody isn't trying hard enough...

Americans told to be ready for swine flu outbreaks

Reporting from Los Angeles and Washington -- Federal officials declared a public health emergency Sunday involving human swine flu, warning Americans to prepare for widespread outbreaks now or in the future, yet urging them not to panic. [My emphasis for silliness]

In a briefing at the White House, the acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Richard Besser, said that eight cases of suspected swine flu in New York had been confirmed and that another had been identified in Ohio, bringing the U.S. total to 20 cases.

The folks at Reuters have gone so far as to put together a list of estimates of the economics costs that may be incurred if swine flu becomes a full out pandemic.

• The World Bank estimated in 2008 that a flu pandemic could cost $3 trillion and result in a nearly 5 percent drop in world gross domestic product. The World Bank has estimated that more than 70 million people could die worldwide in a severe pandemic.
• Australian independent think-tank Lowy Institute for International Policy estimated in 2006 that in the worst-case scenario, a flu pandemic could wipe $4.4 trillion off global economic output.
  
• Two reports in the United States in 2005 estimated that a flu pandemic could cause a serious recession of the U.S. economy, with immediate costs of between $500 billion and $675 billion.
• One report, from the Congressional Budget Office, said hospitals would have difficulty controlling infection and might become sources for spreading the illness.
  
• A second report by New Jersey-based WBB Securities LLC predicted a one-year economic loss of $488 billion and a permanent economic loss of $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy.
  
• SARS in 2003 disrupted travel, trade and the workplace and cost the Asia Pacific region $40 billion. It lasted for six months, killing 775 of the 8,000 people it infected in 25 countries.
  
• Between the autumn of 1918 and the spring of 1919, 548,452 people died of swine flu in the US.
  

Meanwhile - as I get the bunker ready for the Army of the 12 Monkeys to knock down the door of civilization - I realize how few people have died of this thing so far... there have been 86 deaths (as of my writing) out of 1600 people who got the thing. And (again, so far) all the United States cases have been 'mild' compared to what they're seeing in Mexico City.

Check out "live" updates on Google Maps.

But that Google Map update only looks at the Swine Flu, here's a map of ALL the pestilence and death spreading around the world. Just wave your mouse over it to see just how diseased we ALL are. http://www.healthmap.org/en

Something to think about...

"What makes this so difficult is we may be somewhere between an important but yet still uneventful public health occurrence here — with something that could literally die out over the next couple of weeks and never show up again _ or this could be the opening act of a full-fledged influenza pandemic," said Michael Osterholm, a prominent expert on global flu outbreaks with the University of Minnesota.

'We have no clue right now where we are between those two extremes. That's the problem," he said.

Health officials want to take every step to prevent an outbreak from spiraling into mass casualties. Predicting influenza is a dicey endeavor, with the U.S. government famously guessing wrong in 1976 about a swine flu pandemic that never materialized.

"The first lesson is anyone who tries to predict influenza often goes down in flames," said Dr. Richard Wenzel, the immediate past president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Doesn't answer my question - but at least now you've read a counter argument for going nuts waiting to die.

God Jesus Loves You

How you feeling right now?

If you've popped on an MSM (Main Stream Media) in the last 24 hours, you might have caught wind of the newest SARS/OMG U GONNA DIE!!! paranoia.

This one? Swine Flu.

The problem seems to be - that this N5thing can move from person to person, rather than pig to person... which signals alarms. And the other unique feature is that it hits 25-45 year olds harder than the young or feeble - like normal influenza. Alarming, because experts said the 1918 influenza epidemic also struck the young and healthy.

Great.

The new strain of swine flu forced Mexico City authorities Friday to close schools throughout the sprawling city of 20 million people and order emergency health measures in an attempt to contain the disease. That's pretty serious.

In Geneva, the World Health Organization said the strain in Mexico was identical to one that recently showed up in California and Texas. "We are very, very concerned," WHO spokesman Thomas Abraham said. "It's all hands on deck at the moment."

As many as 60 Mexicans may have died from the illness in the past few days. In Mexico City, nervous parents formed long lines at clinics Friday, some wearing surgical masks.

Authorities in Mexico urged people to avoid hospitals except for medical emergencies because hospitals are centers of infection. They also said Mexicans should refrain from customary greetings such as shaking hands or kissing cheeks.

And yes, The CDC said the Mexican virus samples match the U.S. virus. The virus is a mix of human virus, bird virus from North America and pig viruses from North America, Europe and Asia. But don't sweat too hard, there are four drugs approved in the U.S. to treat the flu, but the new virus has shown resistance to the two oldest. The CDC recommends the use of the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. Well, sweat a little. And remember that viruses do tend to mutate quite quickly.

Well, might as well do this during the Great Recession. Those who survive won't be worried about that unemployment rate.

No word yet if it was Swine flu that offed Bea Arthur. He was 86.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

The Liberal Insult Generator
Randomly Generate 27,000 Anti-Liberal Insults

Use this handy tool to generate 27,000 possible random insults to hurl at all those godless, spineless, sushi-eating, America-blaming, terrorist-coddling, Hollywood-humping, liberal defeatocrats in your midst.

Liberal Insult Generator

To be fair, the conservative one is funny, too: "cowardly oil-company-fellating xenophobes"

What's Opera Doc



And here's a bunch of ads from the 80's for you.

Global Warming Swindle

"The global warming alarm is dressed up as science, but it's not science.
It's propaganda."

The top video here is titled "The Great Global Warming Scandal." (1:15:56 - Dec 22, 2008) "Interviews of climate scientists and biologists from numerous sources who explain, step by step, why Al Gore and the global warming alarmists are incorrect. In some cases, blatantly so. It also provides evidence that the global warming agenda is being funded with tens of billions of dollars as a mechanism to create global governance."

The second is Global Warming or Global Governance" (1:20:23 - Sep 24, 2007). "Hear from congressmen, experts and even well-known news broadcasters how global governance puts global institutions that are not accountable to the American people in control of every aspect of our economy. The U.S. government is very close to making this a reality."



Just thought you'd like to know.

Pakistan's Nuclear Threat?

So, uh, is anyone concerned that the Taliban has taken a town about 70 miles from the capital, Islamabad? The Taliban have taken the Burner district, where Shari’a law or strict Islamic law has been implemented? Anyone concerned about that?

Reports are coming in that armed militants are patrolling the streets. Pakistani television stations aired footage of Taliban soldiers looting government offices and capturing vehicles belonging to aid organizations. The police say residents are nowhere to be seen.

Uh, anyone care that the State of Pakistan is within a good march of falling?

And, just a quick reminder to toss out there – Pakistan is a nuclear state. Yeah, sorry. Had to toss that out there. Anyone looking into this?

Oh, I know I shouldn't fear anything – someone asked Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mullen last year. He said, "I'm very comfortable that the nuclear weapons in Pakistan are secure," he said flatly.

But when someone asked the same question earlier this month, his answer had changed. "I'm reasonably comfortable that the nuclear weapons are secure."

Hmmm… see what he did there? He switched "very" to "reasonably"?

There’s a guess that Pakistan ‘might’ have about 100 weapons, give or take an egg carton here and there.

Oh, sure the detonators are kept in one place, and the warheads are in another… and the missiles are in a third location. Which, to me feels, about as secure as the fifty year old levies holding the water out of New Orleans. Which is below sea level. And there's a hurricane about 70 miles away.

Just wondering if there’s ANY one who’s keeping tabs on this – vs. watching Jack Black in drag sing a karaoke singing contest?

BBQ and Foot Massage

You know, I don't know if this is viral for something else, or just the best damn ad I've seen - ever?

Here's where the link at the end took me....
Big Dog Eat Child is a sketch comedy troupe from Alsip, Illinois.

2nd Amendment packs more firepower than local ordinances

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California has ruled that the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms is "deeply rooted in this nation's history and tradition" and long has been regarded as the "true palladium of liberty," so it therefore must be applied against state and local government weapon restrictions as well as federal gun limits.

The ruling came in a decade-old dispute over a private operation's request to hold a gun show at a county fairground, even though the county prohibited gun possession at its facilities.

The new ruling from the usually liberal 9th Circuit said Alameda County in California was allowed to ban guns at its facilities, but in general the 2nd Amendment provision for Americans to keep and bear arms applies not to just federal gun limits but local rules as well.

"This could be big, folks," wrote Kurt Hofmann at the St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner.

Reported by Bob Unruh

Now, this doesn't just up and end Gun Free Zones - but it's a step in that direction. His Pharaoh Highness Daley II must be irritated by this development.

Happy Earth Day

Illicit Manufacturing

Do you reload your own ammo?

If you do, you may find yourself engaged in "Illicit Manufacturing" of ammunition under an arms control treaty that President Obama started pushing last week in Mexico. The treaty itself is not new. It was written back in the 90's and signed by President Clinton, but never ratified by the U.S. senate. According to an AP article from Mexico City last week "Administration officials say President Barack Obama will push for Senate ratification of a Latin American arms trafficking treaty."

It comes down to now you'll need a license to reload your own ammo.

Virtually everyone that supports the 2nd ammendment or has an interest in firearms has heard the numerous recent reports of ammunition shortages. The shortages have extended to reloading supplies that many folks rely on to keep their shooting costs down or to assemble exotic or hard to find ammunition. Many shooters have considered reloading their own ammo as insurance against limited supplies should legislation be enacted that would make ammo more scarce or dramatically more expensive. Those thoughts may be in vain if the current administration is successful in getting the "INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION AGAINST THE ILLICIT MANUFACTURING OF AND TRAFFICKING IN FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS" treaty passed.

In previous reports on this treaty I have found no mention of the impact that the treaty would have on ammo reloaders. The first definition under Article 1 of the treaty states(emphasis added);

1. "Illicit manufacturing": the manufacture or assembly of firearms, ammunition, explosives,
and other related materials:

a. from components or parts illicitly
trafficked; or

b. without a license from a competent
governmental authority of the State Party where the manufacture or assembly
takes place; or

c. without marking the firearms that require
marking at the time of manufacturing.

The section above clearly identifies ammo reloaders that are not licensed by the government as "Illicit Manufacturers" of ammunition. Now that we have reloaders properly labeled, lets move down to Article IV to see what we should do with them(emphasis added);

Article IV
Legislative Measures

1. States
Parties that have not yet done so shall adopt the
necessary legislative or other measures to establish as criminal
offenses under their domestic law the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, ammunition,
explosives, and other related materials.

Again, this is pretty straightforward. If you reload ammunition without a license after the treaty is signed you will be a criminal.

The administration has not done much to outline the impact of the treaty on U.S. citizens. I wouldn't be too terribly shocked to find that Obama does not have a plan for providing reloading licenses to all of the folks that are currently reloading. There is no way to objectively look at this treaty without seeing the underlying impact that it will have on the availability of arms and ammunition to law abiding U.S. citizens.

If you are concerned about the continued erosion of our 2nd Amendment rights please pass this information along. The treaty is already signed, we need to get to work to stop ratification of this attack on the liberty of U.S. citizens.

(Original story comes from BA Lawson's website)

Rod Kicked Off the Island

In a SHOCKING move on our favorite show, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel has denied permission to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to travel to the island, calling modifying the terms of Blagojevich's bail on political corruption charges "a bad idea."

Even if Blagojevich had a personal monitor, that person wouldn't have the authority to arrest him, Zagel noted. He also said Blagojevich needs to stick around to read the government's evidence, because only then will he be able to understand the jeopardy he is in.

Zagel added that he was sympathetic to Blagojevich's financial condition, but said there were others ways for him to earn money. [No word from the show's Illinoisapedia if that was an intended zinger about political shakedowns for cash, or if he was discussing selling chairs? Perhaps it was foreshadowing to the secret code "what lies at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial" that has been used in the last couple episodes. It's what keeps us watching!]

When Blajojevich arrived at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago for the hearing, he said participating in the reality show would be "a way to earn a living and support my children. It's not my first choice, but it's a living," he said.

Asked later if his client was really broke, attorney Sheldon Sorosky said: "It shows he is an honest man."

Blagojevich's lawyers had asked permission for their client to travel to Costa Rica in June to be a contestant on NBC's "I'm a Celebrity ... Get me Out of Here!"

In a short-lived 2003 version of the show, contestants, among other things, had to put insects, worms and rats in their pants, sit in a tank of leeches and wade through a swamp populated by snakes and eels.

Blagojevich also is seeking the court's okay to use more than $2 million in his campaign fund to pay for his legal expenses. Zagel encouraged his attorneys to file a motion to that effect but said he believed Blagojevich should be allowed to do so. [Illinoisapedia reminded us, that's the exact same amount left in a briefcase that was found outside a dumpster by Roland Burris's office in episode 3E21... Interesting?]

"I know what the truth is. I'm looking forward to my day in court," Blagojevich said as he left the courthouse, commenting on Zagel's assertion that the former governor didn't realize the jeopardy he is in.

Or does he?

Lions

Detroit Lions Unveil New Comprehensive Brand
Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand unveiled the team’s new comprehensive brand that includes a new logo and new uniforms during a press conference held at Dunham’s Sports, the exclusive third-party retail partner for the new logo and brand launch, in Madison Heights.
Full story

One thing is for sure, it was their LOGO that made them go 0-16.

And Iran. I ran so far away

And the news from Iran the past couple days has me concerned.

First off, World news | The Guardian:

"From the moment Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's name appeared on the programme for a major UN conference against racism, it was guaranteed to be a controversial performance. Yesterday, the Iranian president lived up to expectations, questioning the history of the Holocaust and accusing Israel of racism and genocide in a speech which triggering a coordinated walk out by Britain and other European countries.

Ahmadinejad caused uproar at the Geneva meeting by delivering a long, rambling polemic against Zionism, which he equated with racism, and blamed for the war in Iraq. He said Zionists had 'penetrated into the political and economic structure including their legislation, mass media, companies, financial systems, and their security and intelligence agencies'.

'They have imposed their domination to the extent that nothing can be done against their will,' the Iranian president told delegates from around the world in Geneva's historic Palais des Nations, birthplace of the League of Nations.

The speech not only overshadowed the conference intended to review international progress against racism and discrimination around the world, it seemed to rule out any rapprochement between Iran and the west. continued

So, it's an anti-racism conference, and they have Fuzzy Hitler scream about the Jews as the keynote speaker? Why not invite Richard Harwood to debate Elie Wiesel at the opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, in Skokie on Sunday?

When is the West going to start taking Fuzzy Hitler seriously?
Before or after mushroom clouds rise?

We need to take his threats seriously, and allowing this particular idiot the power of atomic weapons is especially scary.

But wait, there's more Iranian news...

I'm extremely upset by this story, Iran sentences Roxana Saberi to 8 years

Sure, Americans take their freedom of speech, our freedom of the press, and the RULE OF LAW...

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses

Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases

...for granted. Roxana, Mrs. North Dakota, a Northwestern graduate and [important] a US Citizen is playing the role of Kafka fairly well right now.

She's being used as pawn for the ruling Mullahs and Mahmoud to play around with in their power play, and as a bonus, is there to piss off the West. 

A classic, contrived crisis by Iran and Ahmadinejad, in particular, who is using this designed crisis to maneuver his pieces against his political opposition.  It's a tragity that he's using a human being, Roxana, an American Citizen, in his twisted game. 

Saberi, 31, moved to Iran six years ago and worked as a freelance journalist for National Public Radio and the BBC. Her press credentials were taken away in 2006, but she kept on reporting - which meant, of course, that she was spying. Her initial arrest was for - buying a bottle of wine. 

The "Trial" was behind closed doors. Her appeal was requested by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. He has ordered a “fair appeal,” according to the Tehran Times.

Her, what we would call 'public defender' wasn't even in the room when she was convicted. No evidence was even given.

I seriously hope that the world will come together to stop this performance of Kafka now.
Free Roxana Saberi

What You Can Do?

Write to:
His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee,
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran
622 Third Ave.
New York, NY 1007
e-mail: iran@un.int

GI Joe News

GI JOE News for the week of April 20th.

Okay, GI JOE Resolute is now on Adult Swim.

Bazooka KIA. Got your attention?

Drawn Manga. Death, no parachutes.

Bazooka gets an autopsy in the second part.

Here's your Link

Onto the Movie front...

I think we all remember the terrible fail that was the leaked toy face of G.I. Joe's live action Cobra Commander. Now, the Cobra actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is trying to put you Joe fan's minds at ease.

In an interview, Gordon-Levitt said it was the face of Cobra Commander that got him interested in the part in the first place. And reassured us that what we've seen isn't truly the face of the Commander:

That toy is not my face. It's a mask. I like that I get to keep my face. It has less to do with me and more to do with this character that I helped create. That's more thrilling to me. It's this thing that was born out of a creative, collaborative process between me and a bunch of other people that all worked on creating this character.

But, but, you're wearing a scuba mask, dude. And you were born in 1981. I mean, are you really going to try to talk your way out of this? All you had to do was wear a blue hood. I mean, it's not rocket surgery. Sigh.

Well, anyway, check out Resolute and get back here to leave a comment. The guess of this moderator/instigator is that Resolute > Rise of Cobra. Not much of a limb is it?

The Real Life Adventures of Pac Man

Real life adventures of Pac Man



He's kind of a jackass.

Dude, where'd my money go?

Wondering where all your cash went to April 15th?
Wanna see an awesome graphic representation of the Federal Budget?
That's why you keep coming here, right?

Click on the picture to see it Super Huge...

(Can't see it? Here's the link)

Poor Janeane

I've gotten a couple of letters about this from readers... they're very upset for some reason.

"Liberal actress and political activist Janeane Garofalo, in all seriousness, said activists who attended tea parties are racists with dysfunctional brains in a recent cable news television appearance.

"Let's be very honest about what this is about. This is not about bashing Democrats. It's not about taxes. They have no idea what the Boston Tea party was about. They don't know their history at all. It's about hating a black man in the White House," she said on MSNBC's "The Countdown" with Keith Olbermann Thursday evening. "This is racism straight up and is nothing but a bunch of teabagging rednecks. There is no way around that."

Their synapses are misfiring. ... It is a neurological problem we are dealing with," she said.

This isn't the first time she's offered this analysis, either. Ms. Garofalo said similar things about Alaskan GOP Governor Sarah Palin's brain last February in an interview with an environmental blog.

Olbermann did not once try to challenge her on those assertions. (original link)"

Of course they are, Janeane.

In a profile entitled “Don’t Tread On Janeane” written by Trish Deitch, Garofalo, the failed comedian, bad actress, failed radio personality on Air America, and I'll assume poor waitress, regurgitated the following,

“Our country is founded on a sham: our forefathers were slave-owning rich white guys who wanted it their way. So when I see the American flag, I go, ‘Oh my God, you’re insulting me.’ That you can have a gay parade on Christopher Street in New York, with naked men and women on a float cheering, ‘We’re here, we’re queer!’ — that’s what makes my heart swell. Not the flag, but a gay naked man or woman burning the flag. I get choked up with pride.”

They weren't ALL slave owners, Janeane. Please, do some research.

Look, first, I don't understand why anyone listens to Janeane Garofalo's qweef's let alone the air that comes out of her head. Second, who the hell is watching MSNBC anyway?

It seems to me that Janeane had a promising career path that should have been as big as Ben Stiller. She was even on his original FOX show 'The Ben Stiller Show." That lasted six episodes. Garofalo appeared in several dozen movies including "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" and "Reality Bites." She did six months on "Saturday Night Live" and several seasons as a sardonic booker on "The Larry Sanders Show." Playing herself was always her best work.

A decade or so later,

"that started ebbing," Ms. Garofalo said, sounding unsurprised. "As a female, how many roles are out there anyway? And for women over 40 who don't go to the gym, like myself? C'mon." Besides, she pointed out, "I was never a money-maker, as they say."

It didn't work out. She wanted to focus on "her art." Which is another way of saying she wouldn't compromise. Or, she was just a pain in the ass to work with.

So then she went on Air America. Another complete and total failure. Obviously Bush's fault.

One can imagine, as Andy Dick, Margret Cho, Ben Stiller and the rest of her 'Posse' of Hollywood outsiders made truckloads of money, Jeanene has always been at the edge of the curtain. But it seems she keeps putting herself there.

But why is she now on "24?" Perhaps she needed the bread? Her current lashing out at the Tea Baggers? She's torpedoing her minor success with the Conservative crowd who watches 24. Just like every other success she has had.

Why is she so bitter? Why does she wreck her career every time there's a glimmer of success?

I don't know. Maybe her successful Republican father wanted her to try hard - and she's rebelling against that 'conformist lifestyle' - well into her 40's? 

Well, according to her bio, [I did a little scratching at that research thing] she's the daughter of Joan, a secretary in the petrochemical industry who died of cancer when Janeane was 24, and Carmine Garofalo, a former executive at Exxon... 

Wow, how far off was I here?

There's some demons there, and I hope that she finds a psychiatrist to help her -- except that she's apparently a Scientologist.  

Serious issues. Poor Janeane.

Bad Week in Piracy

Just when you thought the NEW story about an American taken hostage by another group of Somali pirates would be the only pirate-related news this week, the four founders of file-sharing site The Pirate Bay were convicted of copyright infringement and sentenced to one year in prison.

After an entertaining trial replete with posturing, theatrics and serious cockiness, the four co-founders of the torrent site were found to have been accessories to copyright infringement, each face a year in prison, and must pay $3.5m in damages to Sony, Warner Bros, Columbia Pictures and others.

They even Tweeted (twote?) their verdict before anyone else could get the drop on the story.

In a video on thepiratebay.org, Kolmsioppi reacted to the monetary portion of the sentence, saying, “Even if we had the money I would rather burn everything I owned and not even give them the final dust from the burning.”

I'm sure this isn't the end, since their servers are still up at another undisclosed location.

Meanwhile, President Obama tapped RIAA attorney Ian Gershengorn to join the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. This is the 5th RIAA attorney to join the DOJ —not a promising precedent for file-sharing proponents.

Again, not a good week for pirates.

EPA Farts

E.P.A. to Clear the Way for Regulation of Warming Gases

The agency on Friday is expected to formally declare carbon
dioxide and other heat-trapping gases to be pollutants that
threaten public health and welfare.

Well that's just great. Now I can't smoke, shoot or FART anywhere in the country?

Cover Yourself!

Anyone read about the commencement speech given yesterday by the Prez at Georgetown University? If you don't know, Georgetown is affiliated closely with the Catholic church. Apparently the White House requested that IHS (Catholic symbol for the name of Jesus Christ) be covered on the speech pediment for 'consistency' purposes as his other speeches have been in settings covered in black draping and devoid of any symbols or wording. This is just terrible! Covering that in a location clearly linked to Jesus Christ and the school's Catholic church backing is stealing away their beliefs. How could they just give in like that?! I've already written about the coming war over guns, but this war over God is far more troubling and it should be to God-fearing people worldwide. I won't go on about my personal beliefs any more, but here's a good Bible quote about this subject that makes me quiver: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:38.

Just more personal shame about our "leaders" and those false claims of being patriotic Americans that respect the values that used to be at the core of our nation.