Iran Captures 15 British Navy Personnel

Not good:

Iran captured fifteen British Royal Navy personnel during a "routine boarding operation" in Iraqi waters on Friday, Britain's Ministry of Defense said.

Iran's ambassador in London has been summoned and Britain is demanding the immediate safe release of the sailors.

"At approximately 1030 Iraqi time this morning, 15 British naval personnel, engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters ... were seized by Iranian naval vessels," the ministry said in a statement.

"We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level and on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office. The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."

For Iran, anyway...

Malkin Covers The Gathering Of Eagles

Malkin covered the Gathering of Eagles in DC:



The media not only ignored the pro-war demonstrators, but they ignored the fact that 80% of the anti-war crowd seemed to either be Truthers or commies.

Head over to Malkin's blog for more coverage.

Gitmo Detainee Confesses To Planning Attack On USS Cole, US Embassies

I'm confused, I thought everyone in Gitmo was innocent, at least, that's what the media's been telling me.

I guess Waleed Mohammed Bin Attash didn't get the memo, because he just confessed to being the "mastermind" behind the bombing of the USS Cole.

Waleed Mohammed Bin Attash, long suspected of plotting the bombing of the USS Cole, confessed to planning the attack during a hearing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a Pentagon transcript released Monday.

He also said he helped plan the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 that killed 213, the transcript said. Seventeen sailors were killed and 37 injured when suicide bombers steered an explosives-laden boat into the battleship on Oct. 12, 2000.

"I participated in the buying or purchasing of the explosives," bin Attash said when asked what his role was in the attacks on the Cole and the embassies. "I put together the plan for the operation a year and a half prior to the operation, buying the boat and recruiting the members that did the operation."

Of course, Attash isn't the only "innocent hostage" down in Gitmo accidentally confessing to crimes. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been going on for about a week about how he helped plan 9/11 and the murder of Daniel Pearl. In fact, he boasted that he personally beheaded the "American Jew" and for those with any doubts, he said "there are pictures of me on the internet holding his head."

Long live Gitmo! If it continues to be this successful, I'll be wearing my "Club Gitmo" t-shirt with extra pride.

What Would Gandhi Do? Apparently, Offer Himself 'To The Butcher's Knife...'

Here's a great Fred Thompson thought to give all you conservatives a stiffy:



What would Gandhi do? I don't think "collective suicide" makes good theology, let alone American foreign policy.

Oops, almost forgot. Hat tip to Hot Air, which has some good links to go along with the audio.

Surge At Work: Troop Deaths Drop From 42/Month To 17/Month

Great news in Iraq (that you won't hear from the mainstream media, but let's not let that get us down):

The rate of killings of US troops in Iraq has been on the decline, down by 60 percent, since the launch of the new security measures in Baghdad, according to statistics revealed by the Multi-National Force -Iraq Combined Press Information Centre.

Only 17 members of the US military in Iraq have been killed since February 14 till March 13, compared to 42 from January 13 to February 13; the rate was on the decline during the first month of the security crackdown, compared to a month before.

Two of the 17 soldiers died at US Baghdad camps of non-combat causes.

The remarkable decrease in killings among the US troops came at a time when more of these troops were deployed in the Iraqi capital, especially in districts previously regarded as extremely hazardous for them such as Al-Sadr City, Al-Azamiyah, and Al-Doura.

Meanwhile, US attacks on insurgent strongholds north of Baghdad curbed attacks against helicopters. Before the new security plan, many such craft were downed leaving 20 soldiers dead.

The US army in Iraq had earlier said that sectarian fighting and violence in Baghdad had dropped sharply, by about 80 percent, since the launch of the plan.

My God, that's great news! Looks like the surge is working it's magic (of course, we already new that) The news is so great, I won't even let this assertion from Ace get me down:

Now as to that source. It's the Kuwaiti News Agency. Why is it that Drudge had to find this on a foreign outlet rather than on any American news source?

The information comes from the DoD. It was fed to the media. Why is it only a Kuwaiti outfit publishes it?

Damn media. I guess a drop from 42 troop deaths one month to 17 the next month isn't news worthy, huh? I remember when they were telling us every time we hit a "grim milestone."

Zell Miller: Abortion Broke Social Security And Caused Military And Worker Shortages

Gotta love Zell Miller! He just gave a good speech at a pro-life meeting, including this bit, which is getting some (some) media attention (most notably, Rush Limbaugh, who gets a hat tip):

[The] killing: of unborn children has caused a number of social problems in the United States, including limiting the number of people who could be productive workers and contribute to social security. How could this great land of plenty produce too few people in the last 30 years..? Here is the brutal truth that no one dares to mention: We’re too few because too many of our babies have been killed... If those 45 million children had lived, today they would be defending our country, they would be filling our jobs, they would be paying into Social Security.

A good point, but liberals are pissed. You can't shed abortion in a poor light! Of course, this isn't really any different than when "rouge" economist Steven D. Levitt proposed that abortion led to a decrease in the crime rate. I didn't hear as many libs bitching then.

Of course, Rush notes that Miller's assertion is off. Rush asks how many of those children would have been Dems, who wouldn't have jobs and would never even think about joining the military? Of course, I'd say (following Kerry's lead) most of these murdered babies would have been poor blacks, so poor and so stupid they'd be duped into joining the military and get "stuck in Iraq."

'300' Is 2007's Number One Blockbuster!

The awesome movie, 300, has become 2007's number one blockbuster, earning $70 million in its opening weekend.

I saw the movie opening night, and it rocked. And a conservative political message? If anything, it had a liberal message. I mean, the movie's opening line is something like, "When the boy was born, like all Spartans, he was examined. Had he been weak, misshapen, or small he would have been discarded."

Here's the preview, including the liberal line I just poorly quoted (warning for nudity, violence, and men in speedos):



Bonus: Jawa has this ridiculous review of the movie, showing the Left's paranoia:

What's your favourite movie?

Someday soon, you may ask a new acquaintance that question, and just maybe -- because it takes all kinds -- your new friend will reply, "My favourite movie is 300."

If this happens, back away slowly. Your new friend probably kills cats for fun. Worse -- your new friend may be George W. Bush. Director Zack Snyder's new dramatization of the epic Spartan stand at Thermopylae will probably go down real well at the White House, and wherever disturbed young people massacre hundreds in violent video games. Others should exercise discretion.
. . .

As a tribute to a particular world view, 300 could play on a double bill with Leni Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will.

And no doubt it will be screened at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Bush will certainly relish a film in which King Leonidas tries, and fails, to get authorization from Sparta's governing council for an attack against the forces of Persia, a.k.a. modern-day Iran. Leonidas goes ahead anyway. History calls him a hero. So much for congressional funding.

There's even evidence that the film consciously grasps at this clash-of-civilizations message. "Today we will rid the world of mysticism and tyranny," shouts a Greek soldier, leading a charge against the Persians moments after we have seen an image of dead Spartans in Christ-like poses.

No mention of the fact that if Leonidas hadn't gone against the council and defended Sparta, they'd all be slaves to the Persians.

Leader Of 'Islamic State Of Iraq' Captured

Caught a big asshole, I mean fish, in Iraq:

The leader of the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq was captured Friday in a raid west of Baghdad — his identity revealed by a fellow insurgent detained with him, an Iraqi military spokesman said.

Allah has all the breaking news.

Iraqi Troop Surge Already Working

What do you know, the surge in Iraq is having a "positive impact." Reports The Financial Times:

The top US general in Iraq said on Thursday that the military surge would continue “well beyond the summer”, as leading Democrats in Congress vowed to press ahead with legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal.

General David Petraeus said in Baghdad that there were “encouraging signs” the military escalation in the Iraqi capital was having a positive impact...

Hmm, a General saying something good about Iraq. Why isn't the media reporting this? They seem to report every ex-General who thinks things are going poorly. It's almost as if the mainstream media is biased. But that can't be, can it? Someone would have said something!

I liked this hidden gem:

The Pentagon this week said 2,200 military police would be sent to Baghdad to help deal with the increased detainee population that is expected as US and Iraqi forces clamp down on sectarian militias.

It's always nice when we anticipate capturing so many terrorists that we need an extra 2,200 MPs to detain them.

And showing that they either have their heads buried in the sand or are, in fact, invested in defeat, the Democrats chimed in:

Just hours after Gen Petraeus gave his first press conference since the surge began, Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, said the party would push legislation that would require US combat troops to leave Iraq by August 2008 at the latest, and earlier if the Baghdad government did not make more progress.

They truly want us to loose in Iraq, don't they? Screw the 26 million Iraqis who could be oppressed yet again by a terroristic regime that takes over once we leave, if the Dems make GW look bad it's good for them. And what's more important than winning elections? Apparently, to the Democrats, 26 million Arabs aren't.

And what is this about leaving earlier if the Iraqi government doesn't shape up? I understand the importance of accountability (however, since when do the Democrats?), but is that really a good idea? The Dems are basically saying unless you learn to handle the terrorists yourselves, we're leaving. But if they can handle the terrorists themselves, they won't need us. If they can't and we leave, they'll all die. Great logic, Madame Speaker!

Another little sign of the working surge:

US officials say there has been a fall in the number of bodies discovered in the capital, and Iraqis say that in some districts families driven out by insurgent and militia threats are returning.

I think that line deserves it's own story. If a few Iraqis are murdered, it's a sign of civil war. If the murder rate drops, it shows that the surge might have a "positive impact." Again, what media bias?

All-in-all, positive signs that the surge is already working, and will do great things once in full effect. Hopefully we'll be able to finish our job in Iraq before the Dems pull the rug out from under our troops feet. 26 million Iraqis are counting on it. The question is, what's more important to the Democrats; 26 million lives, or a few political points? Sadly, I think they've already answered the question, and it looks like they prefer genocide to losing elections.

***Update, 6:49pm***

Pathetic, this is how the mainstream media reports this story: "Iraq War Commander: Military Alone Won't Win: Nevertheless, Gen. David Petraeus Says Troop Surge Won't End Anytime Soon." Ah, to be invested in defeat...

The story opens:

As additional U.S. troops continue to flow into Baghdad, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, warned that force alone would not get the job done.

"Any student of history knows there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," said Petraeus. "Military action is necessary to help improve security … but it is not sufficient."

But in his first public comments since taking over, Petraeus made it clear the surge of more than 20,000 additional combat troops won't be over any time soon. After all, he said, all those troops won't even be in place until this summer.

Unreal. Not once did the ABC story mention a single one of the quotes above highlighting the success of the surge. The story closed with this carefully chosen quote:

Petraeus today did not rule out asking for even more troops down the road. He said there are no immediate requests, but that he would not hesitate to ask for more if needed.

Of course he didn't rule it out! As the original, unbiased story from The Financial Times quoted him as saying:

“Right now we do not see other requests [for troops] looming out there,” said Gen Petraeus. “That’s not to say that some emerging mission or emerging task will not require that, and if it does, then we will ask for that.”

Active Denial System

Pretty damn awesome:



Hat tip Hot Air.

Appeal For Courage

Check out the Appeal for Courage:

This site is an Appeal For Redress in support of our mission in Iraq.

An Appeal For Redress is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.

It is authorized by DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6.

The wording of the appeal is as follows:

As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.

You can expect this to get exactly zero media coverage, but it's a great idea by noble soldiers who understand that their mission is right and just and who realize that most of their fellow soldiers want to be in Iraq fighting for freedom.

If you are Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard then sign the appeal here.

Hat tip to Jawa.

You can bet your ass you won't see fawning media coverage of these brave soldiers like the 60 Minutes fluff piece on the soldiers that want to leave Iraq because it's too hard.

Japanese WWII Atrocities

I stumbled upon this article about a WWII Japanese Naval Officer's "medical dissection and murder of living prisoners of war" simply to learn anatomy, a reminder of Japanese atrocities during WWII.

And some people think we shouldn't have dropped the bomb?

Anyway, I found it interesting, if not utterly disgusting.

A True American Hero...

... And reported by the MSM, no less:



Hat tip to Bryan over at Hot Air.

Correction, Perhaps?

The US government is saying that they doubt reports that Al Qaeda in Iraq chief Abu Ayyub al-Masri was injured in Iraq the other day, and that his aide was not killed, but captured.

I Hate Russia

Could Putin be anymore of a "bully," to use liberal terminology:

Russia threatened on Thursday to pull out of a landmark nuclear arms control treaty unless the US backed away from plans to install its missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.

I would say I didn't care, since Russia's not exactly a threat anymore, but Putin's been acting like such a thug lately, I'm a little worried about Russia's future...

And before you libs try to equate what we're doing with what they're threatening to do; there's a big difference between building a defensive missile shield and stock piling ballistic and cruise missiles with huge ranges of attack.

Iran Denies US Charges

Mahmoud is denying that Iran supplied Iraqi terrorists with bombs used to kill US soldiers and civilians. Didn't he also claim Iran cured AIDs? I don't think killing all of the homosexuals counts as a cure, Mahmoud, nor do I believe Iran over US intelligence.

However, expect liberals to side with Mahmoud now that he's denied it. After all, we're the corporate, military-industrial complex that's blowing up civilians in Iraq...

(Be sure to check out the ABC News story for an adorable picture of Diane Sawyer interviewing Mahmoud in a arab head-scarf).

Iran: Killing Americans In Iraq

How do you not invade/decimate Iran after this?

High-tech roadside bombs that have proved particularly deadly to American soldiers are manufactured in Iran and delivered to Iraq on orders from the "highest levels" of the Iranian government, a senior intelligence officer said Sunday.

The NYT covered it yesterday in a story I haven't read yet.

The most lethal weapon directed against American troops in Iraq is an explosive-packed cylinder that United States intelligence asserts is being supplied by Iran.

The assertion of an Iranian role in supplying the device to Shiite militias reflects broad agreement among American intelligence agencies, although officials acknowledge that the picture is not entirely complete.

In interviews, civilian and military officials from a broad range of government agencies provided specific details to support what until now has been a more generally worded claim, in a new National Intelligence Estimate, that Iran is providing “lethal support” to Shiite militants in Iraq.

Cox and Forkum covered Iran killing our troops by proxy on January 31:

Video Of Downed US Military Helicopter

Here's a video that al Qaida claims is them shooting down a US military helicopter, in which all 7 crew members were killed. However, according to the AP, "The U.S. military has said it did not believe the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter was shot down in the crash Wednesday northwest of Baghdad."



I agree with one Youtube poster: "I can also film some flying object, then film some smoke and say it is a downed space shuttle... without seeing the actual hit.. I do not believe it..."

Regardless of how the chopper was downed, my prayers go out to the soldiers killed and their families and friends.

Dems: Your Safety Is Their Top Priority

Ah, nothing like a good reminder of how the Dems run things. Murtha has threatened to cut Pentagon funding over their refusal to provide Nancy Pelosi with a ridiculously large military jet. (Hat tip: LGF)

That's how important your safety is to the Dems. They'll actually cut military funding if they don't get their absurd demands filled.

Shinedown's Tribute To The Troops

Via Jawa, Shinedown plays a tribute to the troops. The video ends with a short part of their best song, a Skynyrd remake: