The disproportionately lenient sentences handed down today by an Indonesian court against twelve people accused of brutally killing three members of the Ahmadiyya community sends a disturbing signal that religious minorities will not be adequately protected in Indonesia, according to Freedom House.
U.S. Needs To Be Clear: Assad Must Go
Freedom House condemns the latest bout of violence unleashed by the Syrian regime against peaceful protestors on July 15, in which 32 people were killed by security forces in Damascus and other cities, and reiterates its call for the resignation of President Assad. Freedom House also calls on the Obama Administration to meet with a range of representative Syrian opposition figures to send a firm signal to the Syrian regime that it can no longer expect to remain in power.
Spain to snap; Socialists call for elections
Opposition Right raises concerns over High Unemployment
by Clifford F. Thies
As expected, the ruling socialists have now called a snap election, for November 20th.
Being a minority government, the socialists relied on support from several smaller parties. One of these smaller parties, the Catalonian Convergence and Union Party, had signalled that it would not support the budget proposal that the government had to pass by the end of September.
Were the budget proposal to fail, a snap election would have had to be called. It appears that the socialists preferred to call a snap election prior to the bugdet vote, rtather than be forced by a failed budget vote, into a snap election. Now, the socialists will desperately try to win a new mandate from the voters of Spain or else to pass the hemlock of restoring order to the budget to the opposition party.
Recent public opinion polls indicate that the opposition People's Party, a center-right party, will crush the socialists in the upcoming election, following up on its enormous victories in recent regional and state elections. Both of the country's leading polls give the People's Party a double digit lead over the socialists, within reach of an absolute majority, complemented by strong support for regional center-right parties in Catalonia and the Basque region.
Under new leadership, the People's Party has shifted to more moderate positions on social issues and focused more sharply on economic issues. Prior to the call of the snap election, It was already readying an austerity package to immediately cut the national deficit in half from a U.S.-like level of about 11 percent of GDP, through spending cuts rather than tax increases. The plan is to spur economic growth so that growing revenues from a revived economy will close the ramaining gap in the budget and, by the way, reduce the catastrophic unemployment rate of 20 percent.
In the U.S., the official unemployment rate is 9 point something, but expanded definitions of unemployment (including people working part-time who want to work full-time and people who are so discouraged about the prospect of finding employment that they've stopped looking) approach the catastrophic level being suffered in Spain.
Following up on this spring's regional and state elections, the local governments that shifted over to the People's Party have been found to be in even worse condition than was being reported. By reason of budget gimmicks and outright misrepresentation, local deficits are actually much higher, requiring even more draconian fiscal measures.
Photo credit - Allianz.com Eco Forum Qwiki.com
Libertarian Party strongly opposed to raising the Debt Limit
Release...
Libertarians say 'no' to raising debt limit
WASHINGTON - As Republicans and Democrats in Washington continue chewing the scenery in their 'Debt Limit Theater,' Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle released the following statement today:
"Everything I've heard from Washington politicians about the debt limit is nonsense. I propose the simplest option: Do nothing. Don't raise the debt limit, period.
"None of the deals I've heard would do anything to cut federal spending. Some reduce the rate of growth a little bit, but I'm afraid that doesn't count.
"And of course, some of the proposals would increase taxes, which Libertarians are totally opposed to.
"The best outcome would be no deal at all. If the debt limit is not raised, then the federal government will have to cut its spending by over 40%. That would be the best outcome for the future of America, and it's certainly the preferred outcome for Libertarians.
"I'm actually shocked at how resistant both the Republicans and Democrats are to making cuts. I wasn't expecting much, but their proposals are downright embarrassing.
"For example, consider Speaker Boehner's plan. According to the Cato Institute, the Boehner plan doesn't cut spending. It just sets the spending increases slightly below the imaginary Congressional Budget Office (CBO) 'baseline.'
"According to the CBO report released yesterday, the Boehner plan has practically no effect on the deficit in 2012, the only year that really matters.
"Of course, the Reid plan largely takes advantage of massive errors in the CBO baseline to claim 'cuts.' (For example, the CBO predicts absurdly high levels of spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.)
"As usual, Republicans and Democrats are trying to create the illusion of a high-stakes game between two vastly different visions. In fact, their visions are practically identical. I hope Americans will see through all the smoke, and consider the Libertarian option to make real reductions in the size and scope of government, across the board."
Like Major Nidal Hasan, Pfc. Abdo inspired by Al-Awlaki
From Eric Dondero:
Police officials found Al Qaeda magazines and literature in the hotel room of Pfc. Naser Abdo after his arrest on Wednesday on charges of plotting a terrorist attack near Ft. Hood, Texas.
And ABC News is now reporting "Fort Hood Bomb Plot Suspect: 'Inspired' by al Qaeda?":
one senior U.S. official told ABC News Abdo had also mentioned the name of one of the most high profile leaders of the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), American-born Anwar al-Awlaki.
Al-Awlaki is considered by some U.S. security officials to be one of the most dangerous men in the world because of his ability to reach out through the internet to so-called "lone wolf" jihadis who would attempt to carry out attacks on behalf of al Qaeda, but without any actual material support from the terror organization. Al-Awlaki is believed to have inspired several terror plots in the U.S., from the deadly 2009 massacre at Fort Hood and the bungled Christmas Day airline bombing.
Police also found "Islamic extremist literature" in his backpack upon his arrest at a traffic stop in Killeen.
Ironically, according to USAToday:
Authorities were alerted to Abdo, who was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, after he visited the same gun store in Killeen, Texas, where Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan obtained a gun prior to the 2009 attack at Fort Hood, one of the officials said.
Hasan ended up killing 13 US soldiers awaiting deployment to Iraq, including one pregnent female soldier.
Libertarian threatens to run for Wilkes-Barre Mayor cause Republican has been too quiet
From Eric Dondero:
Betsy Summers, described as always "outspoken," was the Libertarian Party candidate for State Senate in northeastern PA in 2010. Now she's planning a run for a much more local office.
From the (Luzerne County) CitizensVoice.com:
Betsy Summers laughed often Thursday as she talked about a possible foray in the Wilkes-Barre mayoral race. The city Libertarian, never shy of speaking her mind, hinted she'd make the campaign interesting.
"At least you're going to hear me," she said.
Summers will drop off her nomination papers at the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections today, she said. She'll decide Monday if she'll pursue the mayoral seat or county council.
One of her main motivations for running? The Republican in the race has just been too darn soft on the Democrat incument. Mayor Tom Leighton has been under fire lately for hiring his two kids to do summer jobs for the city. Continuing:
If Summers runs for mayor, she said she's in it to give residents a choice over two-term incumbent Tom Leighton, who Summers believes has allowed the city to deteriorate, and Republican Lisa Cope, who Summers said has been too quiet so far.
"But you know what, Lisa Cope isn't opening her mouth, and I think the city deserves better. They deserve a real race."
Photo credit - Times Leader
Flake still undecided on debt relief bill; but likes what he sees
From Eric Dondero:
One of the top libertarian Republican members of the US House is still officially undecided on his vote over Speaker Boehner's debt relief bill. But he's hinting he may be moving in Boehner's direction, due to increased attention paid to his pet issue.
From the NY Times "Surprise Ending to Day of Strong-Arming, Head Counts and Meetings":
"It is the most refreshing thing in the world to see what is going on in there," said Representative Jeff Flake of Arizona, an ardent foe of earmarks, the pet projects of lawmakers. "This kind of negotiation a few years ago would have cost $20 billion" in pork barrel projects.
Another leading libertarian Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California, is also still very much in the undecided camp.
Abdo’s Muslim father a convicted Child Molester
Busted by a Police Investigator posing as a 15-year old girl named "Molly"
From Eric Dondero:
Pfc. Naser Abdo before his arrest yesterday in a terrorist plot near Ft. Hood, Texas was sought by the US Army for being AWOL from Ft. Campbell, Tennessee, and additionally for the possession of 34 images of child pornography on his personal computer.
Background from WFAA - Dallas/Ft. Worth (Soldier accused in alleged Fort Hood attack plot grew up in North Texas):
Abdo, 21, reportedly of Palestinian descent, was raised by his Muslim father and non-denominational Christian mother in Texas.
Now, the Dallas Morning News breaks this story this morning ("Fort Hood plot suspect has deep Dallas-area roots"):
Abdo’s father, Jamal Rateb Abdo, and his mother, Carlisa Morlan, divorced years ago, according to documents.
Jamal Abdo was arrested in 2004, accused of soliciting sex from a Garland detective posing online as “Molly,” a 15-year-old girl, according to records.
Between 2002 and his arrest, Jamal Abdo asked “Molly” for sex 45 times, records show. He was arrested after he showed up at an apartment complex to have sex with “Molly.”
In 2006, records show, he was sentenced to five years in state prison.
DMN goes on to report that after his release from prison, Abdo was turned over to immigration authorities and deported back to Jordan.
Editor's note - Photos for depiction purposes only. Abdo did not get busted by the NBC show "To catch a predator," with Chris Hansen. But the bust seems eerily similar.
Police looking for additional Muslim suspects related to Abdo?
"Persons of interest" on Abdo's Facebook page
From Eric Dondero:
There have been varying and conflicting reports from the mainstream media as to whether Pfc. Naser Abdo acted alone in his terrorist plot near Ft. Hood, TX.
Fox News, who originally broke the story, reported that:
two other U.S. soldiers have been questioned as part of the investigation.
John Lilyea of the MilBlog ThisaintHell.us, who has been on this story from the beginning uncovers this news:
police have an interest in Zachari Klawonn (photo), the person named at The Jawa Report yesterday. Klawonn is another conscientious objector applicant from Fort Hood
And that they’re also looking at a female soldier, Nawal McCall, who our ninja says was in Abdo’s Facebook friends list before it came down yesterday.
Rap Boy Muslim appeared on Al-Jazeera
Klawonn, like Abdo, is well-known to mainstream media, and the blogosphere. He received a great deal of attention in 2010 when he refused to be deployed overseas because of his Muslim beliefs. ABC News featured him. But hyscience.com reported:
looks like Islamo-apologist,, Muslim-appeasing, ABC got suckered again in it's fawning, anti-U.S. military, interview with a U.S. soldier complaining of Islamophobia in the military on al-Jazeera. It turns out (via Jawa Report) that CAIR poster boy SPC. Zachari Klawonn at Ft. Hood is not so squeaky-clean as the media makes him out to be.
Klawonn was expelled from school for bringing a gun to school. He also participated in a rap video that threatened his high school teachers and staff.
Ironically, no other media are reporting on Lilyea's findings on Soldier #2 Nawal McCall. (Hear an exclusive LR interview last night with Lilyea on the Andre Controversa show)
Photo credit - WaPo and (Austin) Statesman.com
Gov. Rick Perry issues statement on Muslim Terrorist plot
Release...
Statement by the Governor on Arrest of AWOL Soldier
“Today’s arrest is a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant in the ongoing efforts to protect our communities from those that would do us harm. I am proud of the teamwork displayed between members of the Killeen community, Killeen Police Department and the FBI to recognize and report this individual’s suspicious activity, and subsequently locate and detain him. Quick and diligent efforts like these save lives, and we are reminded to be thankful for our peace officers, and their continued dedication to keeping our communities and families safe. This incident also underscores the importance of citizens reporting something that doesn’t seem quite right immediately to law enforcement.
Although details are still emerging regarding this incident, we remain sensitive to the Killeen and Ft. Hood community, which was deeply impacted by the shootings that took place not long ago. That tragic day remains vivid in all our memories, and the lives lost will not be forgotten.
It is unfortunate that we live in a world where security remains an utmost concern, but I am encouraged that lives will continue to be protected, and potential attacks thwarted, if we uphold the spirit of vigilance and cooperation displayed in this situation.”
Ofc. of the Governor website
Texas Congressman Michael McCaul on Arrest of PFC Naser Abdo near Ft. Hood
"Radical Muslims want to attack our military installations"
Statement released at Congressman's website:
"This is another indication that radical Muslims want to attack our military installations. It is at least the eighth plot or attack against our military since 9/11 and the sixth in the past two years. We need to know what outside connection the suspects had, whether they coordinated with al Qaeda or were in direct contact with Anwar al Awlaki as we know that Major Hasan was before the Fort Hood shooting. During yesterday's Homeland Security hearing on radicalization I asked whether any of the witnesses disagreed with the notion that the radicalization of Muslim youth in this country poses a threat to our homeland security. The silence spoke volumes. We know that PFC Abdo applied for and received conscientious objector status on the eve of his first deployment to Afghanistan. Reports of the arsenal that he purchased at the same gun store as Maj. Hasan indicates this plot could have been significant. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the gun dealer who sensed something was wrong and alerted authorities."
Note - Congressman McCaul, who represents a district north of Houston, sits on the House Homeland Security Comm. He is especially concerened with border security issues.
Ft. Hood Muslim Terrorist Naser Abdo participated in 2010 War Resister’s League Press Conference NYC – Statement read by Abdo against "Islamophobia"
DEVELOPING...
From Eric Dondero:
U.S. Army Private First Class Naser Abdno, who was arrested today in Killeen, Texas near Ft. Hood, was a featured participant in a 2010 press conference in opposition to the Wars in Iraq and Aghanistan. (Photo h/t PFC Abdo - BNI)
From War Resistor's website, October 8, 2010:
NINE YEARS INTO AFGHAN WAR, U.S. VETERANS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND GLOBAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Speakers included:
10. Nasser Abdo — U.S. Army Private First Class, and Conscientious Objector [written statement] [link removed]
From War Resistor's League website, press release Oct. 7, 2010
On Thursday morning on the ninth anniversary of the U.S.-NATO invasion of Afghanistan, a cross-section of veterans, community groups, and global justice organizations held a press conference in support of the united message that the ongoing U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is “bad for Afghan people of all genders, bad for U.S. soldiers, and bad for the people of the U.S.”
IVAW organizers also read a statement from current U.S. servicemember and Conscientious Objector Naser Abdo about Islamophobia in the U.S. that has followed the attacks on 9/11 and its connections to war from the perspective of a Muslim C.O.: “To a soldier, the association of terror and Islam serves the purpose of falsely justifying ones actions in combat by stripping Muslims of their humanity. The association of terror and Islam is what we now refer to as Islamaphobia…it is as if the US public is just recently following a trend that has been rampant in the military for years. Only when the military and America can disassociate Muslims with terror can we move onto a brighter future of the religious collaboration and dialogue that defines America and makes me proud to be an American.” [emphasis added]
Sidenote: The War Resister's League is listed as a supported group by the left-libertarian group AntiWar.com.
UPDATE!!
Libertarian Republican contacted Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), and spoke with media person Sarah. After consulting another office worker, she flatly denied that Abdo was ever a member of their organization.
UPDATE!
Libertarian Republican attempted to contact Ali Issa spokesman for the War Resisters League in NYC. He was unavailable for comment.
UPDATE!
From Raw Story approx. 4:00 pm cst:
Pfc. Nasser Abdo, the 21-year-old soldier arrested Thursday in connection with an alleged plot to attack Fort Hood, had ties to a number of prominent anti-war organizations, including Iraq Veterans Against the War and Courage to Resist, Raw Story can confirm.
"We have worked with him in the past, but he was not ever a member of this organization," the spokesperson said. "We have had three interactions with him in the past: We supported his application as a conscientious objector; we publicized a statement by him condemning Islamophobia; and finally, he lended his support to our 'Operation Recovery' campaign last Veteran's Day. Besides that, we do not have a concrete link with him.
Muslim US Army Soldier gone AWOL, arrested near Ft. Hood found with Explosives, Child Porn on his Computer
DEVELOPING...
From Eric Dondero:
From LR, July 22 "Muslim, AntiWar activist in US Army charged with Child Porn":
From MSNBC "Army: Muslim soldier opposed to war is AWOL" July 21:
The Army says a Muslim soldier from Fort Campbell who won conscientious objector status but then was charged with possessing child pornography has gone AWOL.
Spokesman Rick Rzepka said Wednesday that Pfc. Naser Abdo has been absent without leave since the July 4th weekend. Abdo, a 21-year-old infantry soldier, had applied for conscientious objector status last year saying his Muslim beliefs prohibited his service in any war.
On his refusal to be deployed to Afghanistan:
“As a Muslim, we stand against injustice, we stand against discrimination, and I feel it's my duty as an individual to do this.”
Abdo has been charged with possession of 34 images of child pornography...
Now, just breaking from Fox News:
Pvt. Nasser Jason Abdo, an AWOL soldier from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was arrested by the Killeen Police Department near Fort Hood...
Abdo was allegedly found with explosives and jihadist materials at the time of his arrest, a senior Army source confirms to Fox News... after someone called authorities to report a suspicious individual.
Additionally, two other soldiers have been arrested.
UPDATE!!
Gun store owner turned him in
CNN is reporting that Adbo was arrested with a weapons cache in his room. And that he had purchased "three boxes of 12-gauge ammunition and a magazine for a pistol" at a local gun store. The gun store owner reported him as a "suspicious individual."
UPDATE!!
Made "threatening statements to attack Army post"
From NBC News:
NBC News’ Pete Williams learned the solider was said to have been overheard making threatening statements to attack an Army post, possibly Ft. Hood.
UPDATE!!
Associated Press confirms suspect is Muslim
(AP)Police say an AWOL Muslim soldier from Fort Campbell, Ky., who had been granted conscientious objector status has been arrested in Texas on a child pornography charge.
UPDATE!!
Police now confirm suspect planned "to kill people"
(CBS) When police questioned Abdo at his motel, he made references to a plan to kill or injure people...
Harris Poll: Giuliani and Romney would beat Obama
Paul would tie; Palin and Perry behind
by Clifford F. Thies
The current Harris Poll shows that two named Republicans would defeat President Obama, and a third would tie.
The strongest Republican, according to the poll, would be former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who leads Obama by 6 points, 53 to 47 percent. Next is former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who leads by 2 points, 51 to 49. Third is Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who is tied, 50-50, with the President.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who has the highest name recognition among those paired against the President, comes in tied for fourth with several others, with an 8 point disadvantage. Texas Governor Rick Perry, with very low name recognition, also comes in tied for fourth. But, given his low name recognition, there's a lot of upside potential for Perry.
Also interesting is that among Republicans, Romney and Giuliani were tied for the most preferred candidate, with Palin third, Perry fourth, Congresswoman Michele Bachman of Minnesota fifth, and Paul sixth.
Rudy to host ‘Mob Week’ on AMC Channel
Mob buster to Mob movie aficionado
by Clifford F. Thies
Rudy 'Hizzoner' Giuliani will host the AMC Channel's mob movie marathon during the week of Augusr 1 - 8. The classics that will be featured during the week are Godfather, Godfather II, Scarface, Carlito's Way, The Untouchables, Donnie Brasco, Goodfellas, and Pulp Fiction.
In addition to sharing his love of these movies, Giuliani will share some of his own escapades with organized crimes. Prior to being elected mayor, during his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Giuliani indicted eleven organized crime figures, including the heads of New York’s so-called “Five Families” on charges including extortion, labor racketeering, and murder for hire.
Giuliani also played pivotal roles in the Justice Department's prosecutions of Wall Street financiers Ivan Boesky and Michael Milkin, the two of whom formed the basis of the movie character Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street."
(After his 22 month time out, Milkin has devoted himself to medical research, especially in the area of prostate cancer, establishing himself as one of the foremost do-gooders of today. And as we all know, Rudy himself is a recovered prostate cancer patient.)
As Mayor, Giuliani continued to fight organized crime, famously riding shot-gun on a garbage truck when a task force took on the mob in New York City's private trash removal industry. He also instituted an innovative street crime policy, going after "turnstile jumpers" and the like, and helped to turn New York into one of the world's safest big cities.
Check local listings for the times the movies will be aired.
With Ross departure, an almost certain Republican pick-up in Arkansas
From Eric Dondero:
Blue Dog Democrat Rep. Mike Ross announced his retirement from Congress two days ago. Ross has represented southwest Arkansas (Magnolia, Hope and Texarkana) for 6 terms. Ross was thrown into the national spotlight in 2009 as an anguishing "conservative" Democrat with rambunctious constituents at town halls urging him to vote No on ObamaCare.
The District has been trending Republican for years.
Almost certain to run for the seat is the GOP's 2010 sweetheart of a candidate Beth Ann Rankin. She is a gospel singer from Magnolia, 1994 Miss Arkansas, and currently an AR Tea Party leader. Though, Rankin turned in a less-than-expected showing to the popular Ross in 2010, losing by 17 points.
Roll Call quotes a GOP strategist in Little Rock:
“I think it’s a tossup district that leans Republican,” said Richard Bearden, a Little Rock-based Republican strategist and lobbyist. He noted that in redistricting the 4th district lost two Democratic-leaning counties while picking up Republican turf.
Also possible GOP contenders - Rep. Matthew Sheppard and Army Reservist Tom Cotton.
Editor's note - I had the pleasure of meeting Beth Ann at a Tea Party rally near Texarkana back in April.
American taxpayers fund Chinese research
The Andre Controversa Show Presents:
 |
| Andrea Lafferty |
Our first guest is Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition. She'll be discussing the federal grants that have been awared to Chinese scientists at Chinese universities.
Your tax dollars at work.
Other guests TBA
Host Andre Traversa
Co-Host Jim Lagnese
Show time 7PM CST Thursday
Call in at 949-203-4821 or stream here.
Hillary Clinton opposes House Republican effort to cut back foreign aid to Islamist and Terrorist-sponsoring countries
Ros-Lehtinen's office - financial crisis no time to send money to countries "that undermine U.S. interests
From WaPo, "Clinton, in letter, blasts bill restricting foreign aid" July 28:
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is blasting a House bill that would impose strict new requirements on U.S. aid to countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan and Yemen, warning that she will urge a veto if the measure reaches President Obama’s desk.
The bill “would be debilitating to my efforts to carry out a considered foreign policy and diplomacy, and to use foreign assistance strategically to that end,” Clinton wrote Tuesday to members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Republican response:
Brad Goehner, a spokesman for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), the committee chairwoman, said in reaction to the letter: "It's disappointing, particularly given the current debt crisis, that the Obama administration is fighting to keep sending taxpayer money to foreign organizations and governments that undermine U.S. interests."
Video of The Day: Ron Swanson Teaches a Little Girl About Government
On a field trip to Pawnee City Hall, a little girl named Lauren Berkus meets Ron and interviews him for a school report. Ron tells her all she needs to know about government.
Video of the Day: Michael Munger on the Republican Myth of Government
Michael Munger on the Republican Myth of Government.
