Afghanistan; Karzai kicks US forces out of Wardak province, says we are causing "insecurity and instability".

All the blood, sweat and tears we have poured into Afghanistan means nothing, regardless of the folly that it turned out to be.  Karzai is not our friend so this should come as no surprise.  It is long past time to have left Afghanistan and let the chips fall where they may, with no clear goal or outcome there is no logic behind staying one minute longer.

From DAWN Feb 24

Karzai orders US forces out of Afghan province

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded Sunday the withdrawal of US special forces from Wardak within two weeks, accusing them of fuelling “insecurity and instability” in the volatile province neighbouring the capital Kabul.

“In today’s national security council meeting… President Karzai ordered the ministry of defence to kick out the US special forces from Wardak province within two weeks,” said presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi.

“The US special forces and illegal armed groups created by them are causing insecurity, instability, and harass local people in this province,” he told a press conference.

The announcement would be another blow to the prestige of US-led forces as they prepare to withdraw combat troops from the war against Taliban insurgents by the end of next year.

The bulk of Nato’s 100,000 troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

A US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) spokesman said he was aware of the reported comments by Faizi.

“We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and go to great lengths to determine the facts surrounding them,” he said.

“Until we have had a chance to speak with senior (Afghan) officials about this issue we are not in a position to comment further. This is an important issue that we intend to fully discuss with our Afghan counterparts.”

Duke professor emeritus of comparative religions says Islam and terrorism are mutually exclusive

There is no connection between terror and Islam.  Move along.  Nothing to see here, go back to sleep.

From Siasat Feb 22

Islam has no connection with terrorism: Prof. Bruce Lawrence

Hyderabad, February 22:
Noted researcher of comparative study of various religions, Prof. Bruce Lawrence, Professor Emeritus, Islamic Studies, Duke University, U.S.A. said that Islamic has no connection with terrorism and the propaganda of the forces which are trying to link Islam with terrorism is baseless. Prof. Lawrence who is on his visit to various cities of India, told this while talking to selected media persons at the US consulate-general here on Thursday. Prof. Lawrence has also done comparative study of various languages and exhaustively read religious books. He has read the Holy Quran with interpretation (tafseer) with reference to various interpreters (mufassirin). He has expressed his views over linking Islam with terrorism in the present scenario, rights of women and Islamic perspective of Jihad.

Disapproving of the western world’s belief that there is growing Islamic terrorism in the world, noted scholar of Islamic studies Prof. Bruce Bennett Lawrence has said ‘Islamic terrorism’ or ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ is non-existent. Those who want to link them have their own objective. They are presenting negative image of Islam for achieving their goals. He lamented that some parties and groups have started using religion for their political gains due to which the opponents got chance to distort the image of Islam. Politics has overpowered religion although religion should have overpowered politics. He told that neither Islam nor any other religion allows fundamentalism and terrorism. “Fundamentalism does not fit both Islam and Hinduism,” he remarked.

Commenting upon the misconceptions regarding women’s rights in Islam Prof. Lawrence claimed Islamic teachings are not against women rather Islam elevated the position of woman. Prof. Lawrence also tried to allay the misconceptions about the concept of Jihad in Islam. Prof. Lawrence who is called as “a Christian who believes in the Qur’an” asserted that being a Christian he is in a position to logically claim that the Holy Quran is superior to Bible.

Read it all

AFDI pro-freedom, anti-jihad ads now on Chicago buses

Created by Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, these bus ads make the point no one wants to talk about, for fear of being labeled a "Islamophobe"  Jihad is both personal struggle and religiously required warfare, it is disingenuous to talk about one and not the other.  Islam does not want you to talk about the other side, or know anything about what jihad means to some Muslims.  The above ads make sure the truth is out there but you know how testy the religion of the perpetually insulted can get.

From Jihad Watch Feb 22 by Robert Spencer

A blow for the truth: AFDI's truth about jihad go up on Chicago buses


Telling the truth about jihad where Hamas-linked CAIR's cynical and deceptive #MyJihad campaign is running -- despite the best efforts of the foes of the freedom of speech to prevent them from running.

Kudos to my AFDI colleague Pamela Geller, who originated these ads, for another free speech victory. I am proud to say that I had some input in their formulation, and am very pleased to see the truth getting out.

See a screenshot of the latest Chicago bus ad at the link above.

Benghazi jihad suspect held in Egypt; US denied access to interrogate

Abu Ahmed aka Mohammed Jamal did not participate in or directly organize the murder of Ambassador Stevens and three others; he ran the training camp where the jihadist practiced before the assault on the embassy compound.  He is in custody in Egypt but US officials have been denied access to talk with him.  This comes on the heels of Tunisia releasing from custody another suspect in the Benghazi attack before questioning could happen.

More benefits courtesy of the rampant democracy from the "Arab Spring."

From FOXNews Feb 21 by Catherine Herridge 

US denied direct access to Benghazi suspect held in Egypt

The U.S. has been denied direct access to the only publicly known suspect in custody in connection with the Benghazi terror attack, Fox News has learned, with U.S. interrogators still unable to sit in the same room as the Egypt-held prisoner to ask questions.

Abu Ahmed, also known as Mohammed Jamal, is suspected of establishing Islamist training camps in Eastern Libya where militants who took part in the Sept. 11 Benghazi terrorist attack were able to train.

Ahmed is not suspected of directly taking part in the attack which left four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, dead. But this is at least the second time U.S. interrogators have been denied access to a suspect held by a foreign government.

In January, Tunisian authorities released Ali Ani al-Harzi, who is suspected of taking part in the attack, citing a lack of evidence.

FBI agents finally got access to al-Harzi after the personal intervention of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Thomas Joscelyn, with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said some of the militants Ahmed helped train "directly took part" in the Benghazi attack.

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In your face anti-semitism from British MP George Galloway

Nothing says hatred and blind bigotry than this article and clip.  George Galloway is not shy about his hatred of Jews and Israel, he has expressed it hundreds of times in his career, but this is about as blatant as you could be.  Watch the video and decide for yourself whether his remarks and actions constitute unabashed hatred.



From The Oxford Tab Feb 20 by Tom Gibbs

GEORGE GALLOWAY IN
ANTI-ISRAEL WALK OUT

George Galloway sensationally stormed out of a debate in Christ Church tonight after discovering his opponent was an Israeli.

He was meant to be debating the motion ‘Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank’ with Brasenose finalist Eylon Aslan-Levy.

But when his opponent used ‘we’ in reference to Israel, the Respect MP demanded to know whether the undergrad was a citizen of the country.

After the PPEist replied in the affirmative, Galloway, claiming to have been misled by organisers, grabbed his coat and left.

Mr Aslan-Levy told the Tab

“I am appalled that someone would storm out of a debate with me for no other reason than my heritage.

“To refuse to talk to someone just because of their nationality is pure racism, and totally unacceptable for a member of parliament”

Galloway has previously refused to debate with anyone connected to the country.

UPDATE; Galloway was defiant on Twitter tonight, blaming Christ Church for not being clear about the nature of the debate:

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Taqiyya in Florida; imam says he lied when he said he supported the Taliban

It was the money he wanted, so he says he said whatever was wanting to be heard in order to collect $1M.  How do we know he isn't lying about lying?  We don't, and therein lies the problem.

From the Miami Herald Feb 21 by Jay Weaver

Miami imam testifies that he lied when he professed support for the Taliban

In testimony that was at turns deadly serious and comical, a Miami imam accused of aiding terrorists testified Wednesday that he lied about his ostensible support for the Pakistani Taliban because he wanted to obtain $1 million from a purported Taliban sympathizer — who was actually an FBI informant.

Hafiz Khan, 77, the one-time leader of a Miami mosque, said he repeatedly deceived the informant, known as Mahmood Siddiqui, because Siddiqui had promised him the money to help poor victims of war between the Taliban and Pakistan army in the Swat Valley near the Afghanistan border.

Khan, accused of sending money to the U.S.-designated terrorist organization, was unaware that his conversations — in which he wished Americans would die in pursuit of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden — were recorded by the FBI. “What I said was all lies,” Khan testified in Pashto through an interpreter. “It was just because of the money.”

Khan, on trial in federal court since early January, spent a second day on the witness stand on charges of supplying at least $50,000 from 2008-2010 to the Taliban, sworn enemies of the U.S. and Pakistan governments. Khan, charged with four counts of providing material support to a terrorist organization, has maintained that the money he sent from Miami to Pakistan was for his family members, the poor and a religious school, or madrassa, in the Swat Valley — not to arm the Taliban.

“They are totally our enemies,” Khan testified about the Taliban, despite his ardent statements of support in the FBI-recorded phone conversations.

Khan, a naturalized U.S. citizen who came to this country in 1994, sparred during cross-examination with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley, who grew frustrated as the frail yet feisty imam dodged his questions about his true beliefs about terrorism.

At one point, Khan said: “I kindly suggest to you that you go to a hospital. You have a mental problem.” He added that the cross-examination was a waste of time.

“I’ll let the jury make that determination, Mr. Khan,” the prosecutor said.

The 12 jurors tried to stifle their laughter, at which point U.S. District Judge Robert Scola excused them to take a break.

Scola then advised the defendant to bring his testimony down a notch. “You are never going to convince Mr. Shipley to change his mind about you,” the judge told him. “The only chance you have is to convince the jury to believe you.”

Shipley peppered the defendant with questions about his recorded conversations with the FBI informant, in which he praised the attempted 2010 bombing in New York’s Times Square.

“There are many times I am agreeing with him, but that does not mean that I mean it,” Khan testified.

Shipley, however, pointed out that Khan made similar comments in other telephone conversations with friends and relatives that also were intercepted by the FBI. The prosecutor repeatedly tried to compel the defendant to admit that he believes it is justifiable to kill Pakistani police and government officials because they have supposedly committed killings and atrocities themselves. “What you are suggesting is exactly what the Taliban and al-Qaida have suggested for years. And we heard it in this courtroom,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/20/3244844/miami-imam-testifies-that-he-lied.html#morer#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/20/3244844/miami-imam-testifies-that-he-lied.html#morer#storylink=cpy

Multi-faith school serves non-halal food, Muslims insulted, food server fired

Only Islam gets itself worked up into such a froth over a simple mistake and then demands repercussions to assuage their victimization.  The headmaster of the school was forced by parents of Muslim kids to apologize for the "insult" and the foodserver lost her job due to this perceived slight.  Would Jews have demanded an apology and firing if it was a mistake serving kosher food?  I think not.

From the Mail Online Feb 20 by Sara Malm

Dinner lady sacked for serving Muslim children with non-halal meat at multi-faith school

A dinner lady has been sacked for accidentally serving non-halal meat to Muslim students at a multi-faith school.

The incident outraged parents at the 'halal-only' Moseley School in Birmingham, and they have forced the headmaster to apologise for 'insulting' their faith.
The member of staff has been dismissed after the 'unintentional error' on December 12 last year recently came to light.
All 1,400 students at Moseley school are served halal meat, regardless of their religion.

It has not been specified what type of meat was served, but the person responsible for serving the food was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing last Monday.
Parents were informed of the mistake this month, and reacted with outrage, forcing headteacher Carl Jansen to apologise for the ‘unintentional error'.

However, Muslim parents are demanding others be held accountable for the mistake, which they say call 'an insult to our faith’.
‘The school have failed the children,' one parent said yesterday. ‘How did this meal get into the school system to be fed to the children?

‘It's just shocking that dietary requirements haven't been met.'

‘It is a disgrace that this could be allowed to happen and we demand more action is take,' a father of a sixth form student said yesterday.

‘It could not just be the error or one lady, there must be people at the top responsible too who also need to be sacked. It is an insult to our faith.’

How strong is a religion that eating food not prepared to religious requirements becomes a grave insult?

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Jihad Bomb Update; Iran installs new centrifuges at Natanz

Here we go.  Another round of condemnations, finger-wagging and strongly worded memos is in the works as Iran's march towards a usable nuclear weapon continues unabated.  The only time we will wake up and actually do something meaningful will be after Tel-Aviv has been reduced to smoldering radioactive rubble.

From ABC News Feb 20 by George Jahn

Diplomats: Iran Starts Upgrade of Nuclear Site

In a disheartening signal to world powers at upcoming Iran talks, Tehran has started installing high-tech machines at its main uranium enrichment site that are capable of accelerating production of reactor fuel and — with further upgrading — the core of nuclear warheads, diplomats said Wednesday.

Iran already announced last week that it had begun mounting the new enriching centrifuges, but one diplomat said at the time that the announcement was premature with only a "small number" on site and not yet installed.

Diplomats told The Associated Press on Wednesday, however, that installation was now well on its way, with inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency seeing close to 100 or more machines mounted when they toured the site a few days ago. Depending on experts' estimates, the new-generation centrifuges can enrich uranium three to five times faster than Iran's present working model.

The Islamic Republic insists it is not working on a nuclear weapons program, but rather is enriching uranium only to make reactor fuel and for scientific and medical purposes — as allowed by international law.
But many nations are suspicious because Iran went underground after failing to get international help for its uranium enrichment program in the 1980s, working secretly until its activities were revealed a decade ago. More recent proposals for international shipments of reactor fuel in exchange for Iranian enrichment concessions have foundered, with each side blaming the other.

Shrugging off demands to mothball enrichment — and growing international sanctions — Iran has instead vastly expanded the program to where experts say it already has enough enriched uranium for several weapons if the material is further enriched.

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Chuck Hagel has brain fart, doesn't remember making statement on Jews controlling State Dept

Oh Chuck, you're such the kidder!

From Arutz Sheva Feb 18 by Rachel Hirshfeld

Hagel 'Doesn't Recall' Remark on Israel Controlling State Dept.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that he has accepted a new disclaimer from President Obama’s defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) disavowing one of his many offensive statements about the state of Israel.

Graham told “Fox News Sunday” that he received a new letter from the beleaguered nominee in which Hagel claimed he “did not recall” the odious statement-- allegedly made during a speech at Rutgers University in 2007-- in which he argued that the State Department is controlled by the Israeli Foreign Minister’s office.

“Well, if in fact that’s true, that would end the matter,” Graham said, adding, “I just take him at his word unless something new comes along.”

“I'm glad he answered my question about a very disturbing comment he allegedly made,” he told Fox News.

Graham joined fellow Republicans in filibustering Hagel's nomination on Thursday, marking the first time a defense secretary has been filibustered in the Senate.

Graham is continuing to seek more information from the Obama administration this week on the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. embassy in Bengazi, Libya, which resulted in the death of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

The senator warned last week that he would hold off approval of both Hagel and John Brennan, Obama's nominee for CIA director, until he receives more answers.

During the interview, however, Graham indicated that he would support ending debate on Hagel when the Senate returns from recess next week, despite considering him “one of the most radical and unqualified choices” to be defense secretary.

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Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison visits Somalia

Flag of Somalia

The star and crescent are a dead giveway

A main concern for Ellison is the money flowing from Somalis in Minnesota to jihadists in Mogadishu. Ellison wants it to be easier for the money to make its way into the hands of Al-Shabaab.  Sure, some money gets to those who are not Islamic supremacists but there is no way to make sure none of it goes for jihad.  If Ellison is there to identify and stop those who move the money into jihad, great.  It appears this is not the case and he is there to make sure the money can flow unimpeded, no matter the end user.

Remember this is the man who took almost 14K from the Muslim American Society (MAS) to make the hajj to Mecca.  The MAS is the US arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Where exactly do Ellison's loyalties lie?

From Yahoo News Feb 19 by Abdi Guled and Jason Straziuso

Minnesota congressman arrives in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A U.S. congressman visited Somalia's capital on Tuesday, the first visit in years by a member of Congress to what until recently was considered one of the world's most dangerous cities.

Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota, said his visit to Mogadishu fulfilled a request from his constituents with ties to Somalia. Minnesota has one of the largest populations of Somali-Americans in the U.S.

Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, noted that the U.S. government in mid-January recognized the Somali government for the first time since the country fell into anarchy in 1991.

"We've seen 20 years of warlordism, 20 years of terrorism, of refugees streaming across the border into every neighboring country, piracy in the gulf," Ellison told The Associated Press in a phone interview from neighboring Kenya.

"But a stable Somalia will bring this all to an end, and I think we need to be a part of the solution. I'm telling you, investing money in Somalia is sending good money after good. We should now see Somalia as a trading partner and a partner of educational exchanges."

Ellison was greeted by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president said that Ellison's visit was a big day for Somalia.

Mogadishu has experienced about 18 months of relative peace, after the August 2011 ouster of the Islamic extremists of al-Shabab from the capital by African Union forces. Following the advice of security advisers, Ellison did not travel beyond Mogadishu's airport complex, the most secure part of the city, but he said he wished he had been able to and hopes to on a future trip. He said he never felt in any danger.

One of the issues Ellison met with Somali officials about was the financial remittances often sent by Somalis in the U.S. back to family members in Somalia. Such remittances have become harder to make over fears that people sending money could be accused of aiding a terrorist organization such as al-Shabab.

Ellison said he thinks he made "real progress" on the problem. He said he also got a better grip on how to handle refugee issues and Somalia's security needs.

No word on what kind of "real progress" he made.

Ellison said that being Muslim gives him an advantage in a Muslim country like Somalia because he knows religious greetings and customs, but that it wasn't a major factor in his trip there or in his meetings.

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Portland Oregon jihad update; Appeal for acquittal and inew trial readied by defense

file photo

Mohamed Mohamud tried to murder thousands of non-Muslims, or kuffir in the name of Allah.  He pushed the button to detonate the bomb he believed would bring him closer to paradise.  Now, as was expected his lawyers are going to press for acquittal, and if that doesn't work ask for a new trial.  Mohamud was entrapped, they say and would not have become a jihadist if not for the insistence of the FBI operatives.  A question; what would compel you to blow up innocent people?  If you had no desire or interest in such things, what could someone say that would entice you into murder?

From KOIN Feb 18 by Jennifer Meacham

'Christmas tree bomb plot' attorneys ask judge for Mohamud's acquittal, new trial

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Attorneys for the 21-year-old Corvallis resident convicted of "attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction" in Portland court Jan. 31 are making good on a previous promise aired on KOIN.

Chief Deputy Federal Public Defender Stephen Sady is leading a "Motion for Judgment of Acquittal" for DefendantMohamed Osman Mohamud. In the absence of an acquittal, Mohamud's attorneys also have filed a motion for a new trial.

"The intervention of undercover agents," Mohamud's attorneys stated in their filing this past week, "...to redirect Mr. Mohamud out of the rehabilitative and corrective program his parents had designed for him -- and toward committing acts in the United States -- require acquittal."

The filing states that "The evidence established that Mr. Mohamud was incapable -- lacked the wherewithal -- to commit the offense on his own ... Witness after witness testified to the absence of research or other planning or preparation until after the first face-to-face meeting."

Mohamud's 14-day trial ended this past month with a guilty verdict from a federal jury in the District of Oregon. The verdict came more than two years after FBI agents say the naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia pressed a button that could have set off a bomb at the Black Friday Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Square.

Without an acquittal or new trial, Mohamud is scheduled for sentencing May 14. According to Department of Justice, "At sentencing, Mohamud faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison."

The Oregon man was arrested Nov. 26, 2010, in what the Department of Justice is calling "an explosives-laden van" parked near the lighting ceremony. The explosive device was sourced through agents with the FBI.

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Death of Free Speech Report; CAIR Missouri Director calls for sharia punishment for internet bloggers critical of Islam

Nihad Awad, leader of CAIR with the Qur'an

“Report anti Islamic and anti Muslim content on the internet to appropriate authorities to take action to remove it and go after those who post it online and prosecute and take actions according to the Shariah ruling.”

No one will take notice of this, or if they do it will be dismissed out of hand as so much rhetoric.  Sadly CAIR is still seen as a viable civil rights group for Muslims by politicians, pundits, the media and worst of all, the White House.  If CAIR has their way, you would not be able to read this, as I would be in jail for "insulting" Islam and Muslims.  CAIR makes no bones about what they want, they present no facade anymore and are willing to push for the negation of the 1st amendment in order to prevent any in depth analysis of Islamic doctrine or jihad and sharia.  We are doomed if nothing is done to stop this jihad in America.  

From Creeping Sharia Feb 19 

Director of CAIR Missouri wants to prosecute Americans who insult Islam…using sharia law

Last August, the director of CAIR St. Louis, Faizan Syed, wrote about his ideas for monitoring social media titled Social Media Task Force. Sayed wants to create a Muslim youth association who would aggresively monitor the media. What really stood out was this statement under the section “I have few suggestions to make in this regard” (5th bullet):
“Report anti Islamic and anti Muslim content on the internet to appropriate authorities to take action to remove it and go after those who post it online and prosecute and take actions according to the Shariah ruling.”

Take action according to the Sharia ruling? Humm… in some countries this could mean death.

Simply astonishing.
Also see:

pdf of the CAIR webpage

Download Prosecuteantiislamwww-cair-stlouis-com

Update: Another choice quote from CAIR at the link above:
There need at least one such team in every country (I know it’s a daunting taks, but one small steps takes us to bigger one)

CAIR wants to prosecute anyone who insults Islam, in any country – every country, according to sharia. Consistent with their goal for a world ruled by sharia.

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Chuck Hagel; darling of Iranian presidential candidate

Down the rabbit hole we go, following Hagel into the blackness that is home to his seditious nature.

Rutgers University should have some explaining to do, but they won't.

From the Daily Caller Feb 18

Supporter of Iranian dictatorship brought Chuck Hagel to Rutgers University for 2007 speech

A pro-Hezbollah, pro-Hamas candidate for the Iranian presidency, a man linked to Iranian-controlled front groups, brought former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel to speak at Rutgers University in 2007, according to another professor on campus.

Hooshang Amirahmadi, who led Rutgers’ Center for Middle Eastern Studies when Hagel came to campus, is the founder and president of the American-Iranian Council. He arranged for Hagel’s speech on March 2, 2007, the faculty source told The Daily Caller.

Iran’s Guardian Council cleared Amirahmadi to run for the presidency in 2013. Approval of the regime is required before candidates’ names can appear on the ballot. To be approved, candidates must be Shia, male, and committed to the Islamic revolution.

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1993 WTC bomber upset over solitary confinement, shackles and chains

Poor little jihadist lamb

Poor dear.  Life plus 240 years has made Ramsey Yousef angry and victimized, so he is filing a lawsuit to have his solitary confinement lifted.  Yousef believes he is just like all the rest of the prison population and wants the same standards and rights.  Sorry Ramsey, your da'wa should not be allowed and your time in prison should be as uncomfortable as possible.  After all, you would not give the same rights to your victims, why should you be allowed to benefit from the system you tried to destroy?

No special accommodations, let him rot by himself.

From FOXNews Feb 18

Terrorist serving life for role in 1993 WTC bombing reportedly sues to end solitary

A convicted terrorist serving life with no parole plus 240 years for masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing has reportedly filed a lawsuit arguing he should be let out of solitary confinement.

The Los Angeles Times reports Ramzi Yousef is hoping he can persuade a judge to end his nearly 24-hour solitary confinement at a Colorado prison known as the "Fortress in the Rockies."

"I request an immediate end to my solitary confinement and ask to be in a unit in an open prison environment where inmates are allowed outside their cells for no less than 14 hours a day," he reportedly wrote in confidential government records obtained by The Los Angeles Times. "I have been in solitary confinement in the U.S. since Feb. 8, 1995, with no end in sight.... I further ask not to be in handcuffs or leg irons when moved outside my cell."

Yousef reportedly claims his due process under the law is being violated because he has no chance to get out of solitary confinement despite 15 years of good behavior in prison. The lawsuit reportedly claims his time in solitary confinement has led to "severe psychological trauma."

Yousef was convicted of masterminding the February 1993 bombing, which killed six and injured more than 1,000. He was also convicted of trying to kill Pope John Paul II and President Clinton, and plotting to bomb planes.

His terror acts were funded by Al Qaeda and his uncle Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who is allegedly the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, The Los Angeles Times reports.

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Death of free speech report; OIC gearing up again to push for blasphemy laws

Said Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, director of cultural affairs at the OIC "The OIC is of the firm view that any religion or its symbols should not be denigrated. The Cairo Islamic Summit endorsed this position and tasked the OIC secretariat to develop a unified strategy to impress upon the international community to take effective measures against such acts of incitement of intolerance and hatred that may lead to violence and loss of lives..."  Sheikh is a self-taught expert on Islamophobia, so his views take a predominant position with the OIC and many Muslims.  Regardless of the truth of Islamophobia, the OIC and Sheikh will push ahead to make sure no one can talk openly and honestly about Islamic hegemony.

From the Saudi Gazette Feb 18 by Hassan Cherupa

OIC gears up to get denigration of religions criminalized

JEDDAH — Getting the go-ahead from the Cairo Islamic Summit, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been actively trying to get the denigration of religions recognized as a criminal offense, according to a top official.

“Next session of the Istanbul Process on Islamophobia will be held in the first half of this year, and the session will squarely focus on the issue of criminalizing denigration of religions,” said Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, director of cultural affairs at the OIC general secretariat and spokesman for the OIC secretary general.

In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Sheikh underscored the need for transposition of the international law to domestic one to effectively combat Islamophobia, which is a contemporary manifestation of racism mainly targeting Islam and Muslims. He said the OIC seeks establishment of an international observatory, based in Geneva, with a global mandate not only to monitor denigration of Islam but all other religions.

What race is Islam again?

“The OIC is of the firm view that any religion or its symbols should not be denigrated. The Cairo Islamic Summit endorsed this position and tasked the OIC secretariat to develop a unified strategy to impress upon the international community to take effective measures against such acts of incitement of intolerance and hatred that may lead to violence and loss of lives,” he said while noting that Islamophobia figured high on the agenda of the summit.

Sheikh, a Pakistani national and an expert on Islamophobia, explained the steps taken by the OIC in confronting Islamophobia by ensuring active involvement of the international community.

“OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu launched a process, known as the Istanbul Process, in July 2011, together with the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, as well as with leaders of OIC and non-OIC member states, to build consensus on confronting Islamophobia. Similar meetings were held later in Washington and London as part of the Istanbul Process, and now the US, UK, the African Union, the Arab League and the OIC are moving in a circle, subscribing the process and taking it forward to discuss the issue specifically. The OIC is going to hold the next event focusing squarely on the issue of criminalizing denigration and deciding on whatever actions need to be taken on the basis of Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” he said.

According to Sheikh, international law, represented by Article 20 of ICCPR, clearly states that denigration of symbols or persons sacred to any religion is a criminal offense. This law ratifies OIC’s position and the only remaining problem is the absence of enforcement in the true spirit by member states.

How will Sheikh react when the first blasphemy lawsuit is filed against Islam?  I doubt he will embrace it with open arms, and you can bet he will cry "Islamophobia" when it happens.

“This international law is sufficient to cover OIC’s concern but the problem is either a gap of interpretation because of political reasons or a gap of implementation. Though this law is binding on all countries that signed and ratified the article, it is not effectively transposed to the domestic laws of the respective countries. The OIC is exerting efforts to get it enforced globally through the framework of the OIC-sponsored UN Human Rights Council resolution number 16/18, which is an outcome of the Istanbul Process.”

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Brother vs Brother in Syria; Hezbollah join Assad against FSA rebels

It is jihad vs jihad with both sides reading the same book but coming to different conclusions.  Hezbollah and Iran supporting Assad, the West supporting the FSA.  Get ready for a clandestine civil war, guided by the enemies of freedom on both sides.  The ones who will suffer the greatest losses in this clash of bullies; the innocents of Syria.

Madness.

From The Blaze Feb 18 by Sharona Schwartz

JIHAD VS. JIHAD: NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS HEZBOLLAH FIGHTERS ARE IN SYRIA FIGHTING FOR ASSAD

New evidence over the weekend emerged of the growing involvement of Hezbollah in the Syrian civil war. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), the main opposition group battling President Bashar Assad’s forces, claims some 1,000 Hezbollah fighters entered Syria over the weekend and engaged in bloody battles.

The FSA spokesman said, “It’s a coordinated ground invasion…Hezbollah has started a war against us.”

According to Lebanon’s Daily Star, three Hezbollah militants were killed in battles over the weekend, as were 12 rebel fighters. The paper is characterizing the fighting as “the worst near the border with Lebanon since the uprising erupted.” It warned Hezbollah’s increasing involvement in Syria could portend a spillover of the civil conflict into next-door Lebanon. It also provides further evidence of the sectarian divide of the combatants, the Shi’ite Hezbollah pitted against Sunni rebels, many of whom are themselves radical jihadis from neighboring countries.

The Syrian National Council (SNC) is accusing Hezbollah of “military intervention” and of employing “heavy weapons openly and under the auspices of the Syrian regime army.”

It called the development a “serious threat to Syrian-Lebanese relations and regional peace and security.”

Hezbollah is allied with President Assad who represents the minority Alawite sect of Shi’ite Islam. Both Hezbollah and Assad are supported by Iran.

The clashes took place southwest of Homs in an area that is home to both Shi’ites and Sunnis.
According to Reuters, Hezbollah guerrillas started crossing the Syrian border from their base in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley last year.

President Bashar Assad and his late father Hafez Assad have allowed Hezbollah to receive its weapons from Iran via Damascus, which are then transported over the border to Lebanon, a key supply route for the terrorist group. Since the Syrian conflict began, Israel and the U.S. have been sounding the alarm over the possibility that Hezbollah or other terror groups could seize Assad’s chemical weapons were the regime to collapse.

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Perpetual hatred from those peaceful "Palestinians"

There is no end to the stream of hatred that flows from the Palestinian Authority to the Jews and Israel. It is always from the most respected religious leaders, and it is always grounded in Islamic doctrine through the Qur'an and the hadiths of Muhammad.  But to point this out is to be Islamophobic, doncha know.

From PMW Feb 12

PA Mufti calls for the killing of Jews quoting Islamic Hadith

Moderator at Fatah ceremony:
"Our war with the descendants of the apes and pigs (i.e., Jews)
is a war of religion and faith.
Long Live Fatah! [I invite you,] our honorable Sheikh."

PA Mufti Muhammad Hussein comes to the podium and says:
"47 years ago the [Fatah] revolution started. Which revolution? The modern revolution of the Palestinian people's history. In fact, Palestine in its entirety is a revolution, since [Caliph] Umar came [to conquer Jerusalem, 637 CE], and continuing today, and until the End of Days. The reliable Hadith (tradition attributed to Muhammad), [found] in the two reliable collections, Bukhari and Muslim, says:
"The Hour [of Resurrection] will not come until you fight the Jews.
The Jew will hide behind stones or trees.
Then the stones or trees will call:
'Oh Muslim, servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.'
Except the Gharqad tree [which will keep silent]."
Therefore it is no wonder that you see Gharqad [trees]
surrounding the [Israeli] settlements and colonies.."

Watch the video at the link

Money jihad in New Jersey; 18 arrested for scamming 200M in credit scheme

And the pertinent question is "One has to wonder if this scheme at least partially funded jihad..."

Tough one, isn't it?

From Sharia Finance Watch Feb 10

$200 Million Islamic credit card scam in New Jersey

Eighteen people have been charged in what federal prosecutors in New Jersey called one of the largestcredit card fraud schemes ever uncovered by the U.S. Department of Justice, spanning 28 states and eight countries.

“The defendants are part of a massive international fraud enterprise involving thousands of false identities, fraudulent identification documents, doctored credit reports and more than $200 million in confirmed losses,” FBI Special Agent James Simpson said in court records.

According to court records, the scheme involved three basic steps: The defendants allegedly created thousands of fake identities, pumped up the credit histories of those fictitious people and then racked up charges on fraudulently obtained credit cards.

The scam began in 2003 as false identities were used to create credit profiles with major credit bureaus, prosecutors say. Some were completely fictitious; others were created using Social Security numbers matched to someone with the same name. In other instances, fake pay stubs and tax returns were used to get credit cards.

Prosecutors say the accused pumped up their credit worthiness by making small purchases and paying off the charges, enabling them to run up credit lines and make large charges that were never repaid.

By 2012, they had created more than 7,000 false identities to obtain more than 25,000 credit cards. Millions in cash were wired to Pakistan, India, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, China and Japan.

“Due to the massive scope of the fraud, which involved over 25,000 fraudulent credit cards, loss calculations are ongoing and final confirmed losses may grow substantially,” Simpson said.

The proceeds, authorities said, were used for luxury automobiles, electronics, spa treatments, high-end clothing and millions of dollars in gold. Authorities said the fraudsters also stockpiled large sums of case and approximately $70,000 in cash was found in one defendant’s oven.

Though the scheme targeted credit card companies, Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, said customers everywhere could feel the impact.

“Through their greed and their arrogance, the individuals arrested today and their conspirators allegedly harmed not only the credit card issuers, but everyone who deals with increased interest rates and fees because of the money sucked out of the system by criminals acting in fraud rings like this one,” Fishman said.

At least eight in the group — Babar Quresh, Muhammad Shafiq, Ijaz Butt, Qaiser Khan, Shafique Ahmed, Muhammad Naveed, Khawaja Ikram and Nasreen Akhtar — have been unemployed since 2008.

Prosecutors identified Qureshi and Shafiq were identified as the group’s ringleaders, and linked Shafiq and his brother, Naveed, to 464 credit cards and nearly $2.6 million in losses. Some of those charged also stockpiled cash. At one defendant’s home, arresting officers found $68,000 in a kitchen oven.

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Death of Free Speech Report; worlds largest anti-jihad website attacked and has been down for 48 hours

Jihad Watch, the pre-eminent website for all things Islam was attacked and shut down.  It does not appear to be a DOS attack, but a more sinister and calculated infiltration designed to render the posting of articles, comments and ads impossible.  I am no techie and don't understand how these things work, but the fact that Islam in the form of digital jihad has, temporarily shut down the largest voice of truth and reason on Islamic hegemony bodes ill for the rest of us, myself included.  Islam will stop at nothing to silence those who speak out against the doctrinal hatred and inculcated subjugation that is Islamic dogma, and Jihad Watch is their shot across our bow, a warning not to cross them, else the same fate await.

I will not be silenced or cowed into submission.  I would rather die on my feet than live bowed down to a tyrant such as Islam.  Please support Jihad Watch and Robert Spencer, if you can send an encouraging email to him letting him know the support he has.  We are all possible subjects of Islamic idealism and it is important to stand firm.  Our prayers go to Mr. Spencer and our hope to see his writings once again will not be diminished.

The link to JW below is the last posting done on Feb. 14 and there has been nothing since.

From Jihad Watch Feb 14 by Robert Spencer

Tech difficulties update

I really don't have all that much to report, but I wanted to let you know I'm working on it. The situation is very much the same: the comments feature is still not working, it is still very difficult to post articles at all, and other features of the site are non-functional.

Several tech experts are working on the problem. Some malicious code has been found, which makes it likely that the site was hacked, although this hacking was not a conventional one: no eradication of the main page and its replacement by a taunting message, as is the usual practice. In fact, the malicious code is apparently (if I understand the explanation correctly, which is chancy at best, since I'm no techie) slow-acting, unfolding over time. We are looking into how it got there, and who planted it.

In any case, all I can say now is that we're working on it and will have the site fully operational as soon as possible. This kind of action just shows yet again how desperately insecure and thuggish the enemies of freedom are -- they can't refute us, so they try to shut us down...

Michigan shooting range owner bows to CAIR, pulls targets off shelf

Was CAIR complaining about a shooting target that portrayed Catholics in a negative light, or was his complaint only about the Arab looking target?  No question here, Islam only complains when Islam is insulted, never when non-Islamic religions are insulted.

Feel the love.

From the Observer and Eccentric Feb 9 by Nathan Mueller

Royal Oak range to stop selling target wearing Muslim attire

ROYAL OAK — The owner of a gun range in Royal Oak has agreed to stop selling a specific target that depicts a skeleton with a beard dressed in traditional Muslim clothes and holding an AK-47.

Ray Jihad, owner of Target Sports on Woodward Avenue, was approached by Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, last week following a complaint from a customer who was concerned the targets sent the wrong message.

“Given the upsurge in shootings across our country, we have a concern that someone who has been shooting at targets may run across someone wearing similar garb and commit an act of violence against them,” Walid said.

Jihad said if it made Walid happy, he would stop selling the targets.

“If they are offended by it, I told him as soon as I sell out of them I will not purchase any more,” he said.

The target is sold by Thompson Targets in Ohio, which also sells a “Wall Street” zombie target and another skeleton target that is wearing a mask and holding a knife...

So far, no complaints about the zombie or masked bandit.

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