Axis of Evil Summit in Cuba. Deja-Vue Again.

The Washington Times reports on what I call the "Axis of Evil Summit" wrap-up in Havana, Cuba with the requisite America-bashing we have come to expect from this bunch. Additionally,  the attendees backed Iran’s "peaceful" nuclear program. No real surprise there, either.
Developing countries yesterday wrapped up a multinational summit with North Korea charging that U.S. threats drove it to acquire deterrent atomic weapons and Iran winning solid support for its nuclear ambitions. Iran, Venezuela and Cuba joined North Korea in leading efforts to forge an anti-U.S. alliance. Summit leaders, in a statement on Iran, "reaffirmed the basic and inalienable right of all states to develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes."
Of course, it’s all OUR fault that these countries seek the weapons of mass destruction. Seeing the writing on the wall regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, given President Bush’s resolve in his pledge to prevent that country’s development of atomic weapons, the collected rogue regime leaders
warned that any attack or threat against any nuclear facility used for peaceful purposes was a violation of international law.
Since when does Iran, Cuba, and North Korea care about "international law?" Only when pointing fingers at the US, naturally.
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As I noted in past postings, the sides are being drawn in the new world war, and enemy players include countries right in our own hemisphere.

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From the horse’s mouth… President’s Weekly Radio Address

Every week, President Bush delivers a radio address, a-la- the famous "Fireside Chats" by FDR. Because of the vast differences in our daily lives since the Roosevelt administartion, most people no longer gather ’round the radio for news and entertainment, especially on the weekends- which means you, like most Americans, didn’t hear what the President had to say. GraniteGrok feels it’s important for well-informed people to give the President a listen, whether you agree with him or not.
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This week he discusses the need for two pieces of legislation he feels is needed to properly interrogate and prosecute terrorists. This is the same legislation you have been hearing about this week in the media involving "renegade" Republicans (including, naturally, John McCain) trying to derail the president’s proposals:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday, I visited New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon to attend memorials marking the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It was an emotional day for me and for our country. On that day, we remembered those who lost their lives, and we paid tribute to those who gave their lives so that others might live. We rededicated ourselves to protecting the American people from another attack.
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Next week, I will return to New York, where I will address the United Nations General Assembly. I look forward to talking to the world leaders gathered there about our obligation to defend civilization, and how we must work together to support the forces of freedom and moderation throughout the Middle East.
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As we work with the international community to defeat the terrorists and extremists, we must also provide our military and intelligence professionals the tools they need to keep our country safe. Congress is considering two vital pieces of legislation to help us do just that. My Administration is working closely with members of both parties to pass these bills.

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“Islamists Riot in Rage at ( fill in blank )”

Another day. Another "outrage." The never-ending indignation of the always "insulted" Muslim street continues apace. Day after day come the headlines and scrolling kyrons at the bottom of the news TV screens. By now, they are completely ubiquitous and part of the "background" like so much white noise. You’ve all seen them:
"Islamists riot in rage at the Muhammed Cartoons"
"Islamists riot in rage at the Israeli incursion"
"Islamists riot in rage at the toilet flushing of Koran"
"Islamists riot in rage at Abu Graib prisoner abuse"
"Islamists riot in rage at (_enter grievance dujour here__)."
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Of course, today’s grievance entry is Pope Benedict XVI. You know the story: Pope gives speech-Mentions Islam in an historical context, and denounces violence. The "offended" party reacts with violent outrage at the insinuation they are violent… From the BBC, here are some reactions from Muslim leaders to the Pope’s words:

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Explaining the war. September 11th, 5 years later.

Today is the fifth anniversary of the most devastating attack on our homeland since December 7th, 1941. The events of both days demonstrate again history’s ability to repeat itself.
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Following the Pearl Harbor attack, in his December 9th radio address to the nation, President Roosevelt explained the state of war thrust upon the country:
“The sudden criminal attacks perpetrated by the Japanese in the Pacific provide the climax of a decade of international immorality. Powerful and resourceful gangsters have banded together to make war upon the whole human race…Together with other free peoples, we are fighting to maintain our right to live among our world neighbors in freedom and in common decency without fear of assault… We are now in this war. We are all in it- all the way. Every single man, woman, and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories- the changing fortunes of war.”
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As we know, that war was enormous in its scope and ferocity. At times, things looked pretty bleak for our side.
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On September 20th, 2001, President Bush addressed a joint session of Congress and the American people, describing for the nation the sudden state of a new war:
“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country.  Americans have known wars — but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941.  Americans have known the casualties of war — but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning.  Americans have known surprise attacks — but never before on thousands of civilians.  All of this was brought upon us in a single day — and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.”
The President identified the enemy:
“Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them.”
He then declared war:
 “Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there.  It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.”

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Guess who’s coming to dinner? Who invited him?

In this previous posting, I applauded  Mitt Romney’s stance regarding Sunday’s lecture in Massachusetts at Harvard’s Institute of politics. Today’s Boston Herald published a letter from Daniel Wolfson of Brookline, MA expressing a similar sentiment to mine on the upcoming visit of the former Iranian leader and Gov. Mitt Romney’s refusal of the use of … Read more

Mitt: Thumbs up. US State Dept.: Thumbs down.

Here at GraniteGrok, we spank ’em when they’re wrong… and thank ’em when they’re right- . While we have been somewhat tough on possible presidential wannabee Mitt Romney (here and here), today we congratulate him for his stance on a visiting terror state leader. Today’s (Sept. 6) Boston Herald reports: Gov. Mitt Romney is refusing to … Read more

President Bush speaks. Often, actually.

We repeatedly hear people say that the President hasn’t spent enough time "selling" the war. I have said it fairly often myself. I had the opportunity to speak with a high level administration official recently and mentioned precisely that point. "Why doesn’t the President speak to the people? You know, explain the situation so that they’ll understand it." I said. His answer reminded me that the President, in fact, does- every week in his "Weekly Radio Address". Like Roosevelt’s famous "Fireside Chats", President Bush has taken time every Saturday to speak to the nation. You probably missed them because other than the occasional mention as part of some news blurb, the MSM virtually ignores them. He suggested I make it a point to either listen to it or read it every week.
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This is what the President said this past Saturday, September 2nd:
Good morning. This week, I spoke to the American Legion in Salt Lake City. I thanked the military veterans for their lifetime of service to our country. And I gave them an update on the war that America is now fighting in defense of freedom in our time.
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We’re approaching the fifth anniversary of the September the 11th attacks — and since that day, we have taken the fight to the enemy. Yet this war is more than a military conflict; it is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation — the right of all people to speak, worship, and live in liberty. On the other side are those driven by tyranny and extremism — the right of a self-appointed few to impose their fanatical views on all the rest. We did not ask for this war, but we’re answering history’s call with confidence — and we will prevail.
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We are using every element of national power to defeat the terrorists. First, we’re staying on the offense against the terrorists, fighting them overseas so we do not have to face them here at home. Second, we made it clear to all nations, if you harbor terrorists, you’re as guilty as the terrorists, you’re an enemy of the United States, and you will be held to account. And third, we have launched a bold new agenda to defeat the ideology of the enemy by supporting the forces of freedom and moderation in the Middle East and beyond.

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Notable Quotes: George P. Shultz on preemptive action

Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz wrote the following back in 1986 in an essay included in the book, Terrorism- How the West Can Win. Twenty years ago… Can we as a country, can the community of free nations, stand in a purely defensive posture and absorb the blows dealt by terrorists? . I … Read more

Terrorism solved. It’s the stereotyping, stupid!

In this prior posting , I reported on an assistant professor here in a NH college who believes that terrorism can be solved if only we would move away from our stereotypes and start seeing each other as human beings, and learn to empathize. It appears this silliness is not confined to some nutty professor at … Read more

I can’t believe I agree with US Rep Tom Lantos!

I cannot believe the day has come that I actually agree with Democratic US Rep Tom Lantos. Not only do I agree, but I applaud him! Fox News carries the AP report: WASHINGTON — A congressman said Sunday he would ask the U.S. administration to freeze the $230 million aid package to Lebanon proposed by … Read more

Notable Quote: Brit Hume on radical Islam

Michelle Malkin reports on observations put forth by Brit Hume during this week’s panel discussion (about the Fox News employees’ release from captivity) on Fox News Sunday that really sums up radical Islam and the Israeli/Palestinian problems in a nutshell: Hume: Yes, and what an appealing faith these thugs must believe Islam is, that conversions have to be effected … Read more

A terrorist linked to a mosque? No way! Really?

In several prior postings, I wrote that I am generally opposed to the construction of mosques here in my backyard (NH) given the nature of the new world war in which we find ourselves and the M/O of our enemy. As I’ve repeated over and over: there’s always a mosque. That’s where the radical ideology gets … Read more

A Bounty of Mutinies to Come?

The headline in the Daily Mail (UK) screamed:  "Mutiny as passengers refuse to fly until Asians are removed."  Leaving aside the minor matter that the British press uses "Asian" to describe anyone with an ethnic background from the region stretching from Turkey to Siberia to Japan to Indonesia – which, while geographically accurate is disingenuously … Read more

Build a mosque? Not in my backyard…

This week’s New Hampshire Sunday News (Sunday version of the Union Leader) carried several articles of a special series featuring an in-depth look at Muslims living among us here in NH and their attempts at constructing a Mosque in Manchester, the state’s largest city.
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Back in June, I submitted an opinion piece to Union Leader for publication on its editorial page regarding a news story they had run about the financial difficulties faced as NH Muslims attempt to construct their  mosque/community center and who offered to pitch in and help. While it was not published in that paper, they subsequently contacted me for an interview for their two-part series: Muslims among us: faith vs. fears. This is what I wrote on June 19th:
Upon reading the article entitled, “A call to build” in Sunday’s paper, I found myself both angry and perplexed. When reading that “Members of the Greater Manchester Interfaith Council are hoping that area churchgoers will pitch in to help build New Hampshire’s first mosque,” I nearly fell off my chair. Why would they do such a thing? Time after time, each occurrence of successful or thwarted terror strikes have a common ingredient: a mosque with radicalized members and “imams”- so-called “holy” men. Knowing this, why would we want something like this here in NH? How many mosques have been used throughout the Moslem world as ammo dumps and hideouts for murderous thugs?
The new world war that we find ourselves fighting is against a radical fascist ideology, much like Nazism- only worse. The Germans found their wellspring of support generated from hyper-nationalism and racism, fueled by a charismatic leader. Today’s enemy, the so-called “Islamo- fascists,” have added a final and nearly unstoppable feature to the totalitarian mix: religious fervor. Can you imagine the thought of a Hitler Youth Summer camp somewhere in Manchester circa 1943-44? Such a notion sounds utterly ridiculous, right?
 

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Gatorade is not the problem

Received this in an email: 

Toiletries don’t commit acts of terrorism.

Muslims do.

So why can’t I take my toothpaste on the plane? How is it that Gatorade is forbidden? Why can’t I have a bottle of water?

Because we aren’t really fighting a war with terror, we are losing a struggle with political correctness. It is not so much the evil of outsiders, it is the cowardice of Americans.

The cowardice that won’t let us call a spade a spade, that makes us all live in an alternate reality, that puts survival secondary to servility. We are fighting World War III with one arm tied behind our back.

Last week was a good example.

A group of two or three dozen fascist Muslims in England and Pakistan plotted to blow up 10 or 12 passenger-laden airliners in transatlantic flight. The purpose was to celebrate and reprise the attacks of September 11. The means was the detonation of explosive liquids disguised as common liquids – like Gatorade or shampoo.

The plot was discovered, followed and – hopefully – foiled by British intelligence with an assist from Americans and Pakistanis. Immediately, new restrictions were put on airline passengers. Because the plotters planned to use liquids, passengers were forbidden to bring liquids onto airplanes.

Not medicines, not crèmes, not drinks, not nothing. Untold hundreds of thousands of airline passengers immediately and indefinitely lost the right to carry liquids or pastes on themselves or in their carry-on luggage.

Which is stupid.

 

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Baby Bombs

It was only a matter of time before this was bound to happen. From the August 14th Sun Online of Britain: Security sources confirmed last night that alleged “baby bombers” were among those arrested over the plot to massacre thousands by downing transatlantic flights. . Those being quizzed included a husband and wife with a six-month-old … Read more

Who is running foreign policy here….

Nations have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.  Only permanent interests – Lord Palmerston I sometimes wonder if those that work in our beloved State Department know which is which.  From Little Green Footballs, I saw this: State Dept. Wants to Delay Arms to Israel According to the New York Times, State Department officials … Read more

Just Great! So much for business travel again…

Once again, the West has been attacked – even if not successful with the plot being aborted by the work of the US, Pakistani, and British intelligence agencies (and who else more?).  Maybe, just maybe, folks are starting to take notice.

It really has to be something to get the nerds up in arms (thank you very much!)   From Slashdot (News for Nerds. Stuff That Matters):

Charter Flight Websites / Services?

X86Daddy asks: "TSA’s latest announcement banning all fluids (toothpaste even) from carry-on luggage is the icing on a very sour cake. Many passengers are growing tired of the invasive security screenings, the increasing prices, lost and stolen luggage, and the decreasing quality of service with commercial flights in the United States. However, given the geographical size of this country and the lack of rail options, flight remains the only practical method of travel for most destinations. Can anyone suggest alternative flight services? Are there websites that connect Cessna or other small scale air charter services with interested passengers? I’ve found CharterX and CharterHub but they seem more geared toward executives looking for jets. Does anyone have experience traveling this way? Is the price point a lot higher, making this a dumb idea (just resign myself to buying toiletries at every destination and prepare for the mandatory anal probes in ’07)?"

For a moment, forget about the "why" of the new restrictions – I am just looking at this from the aspect of a frequent flier who just made plans for another business trip to San Diego.

I don’t carry a water bottle around or ingest my caffeine via coffee (I want my caffeine green! ->  Mountain Dew!), so I just wait for the "complementary beverage service" since United serves Pepsi products. Being a nerd (why ELSE would I surf Slashdot?), I don’t care about bringing perfumes, hair gels, deoderant gels, toothpaste and what not…besides, taking all that stuff on board means less techie stuff in the bag (laptops, hubs, Ethernet cable, headphones, cell phone, DVDs, yadda, yadda – I never know what I will need at the other end, so I bring it all with me). 

One does have to set the correct priorities, right?  Oops, hold that thought!  CNN is reporting that:

The British Airports Authority said no hand luggage would be allowed onto planes leaving British airports until further notice

Besides banning liquids, British police are also banning passengers from carrying electronic key fobs, which have the potential to trigger bombs.

I’ve also heard reports that cell phones, laptops, and iPods (or other MP3 devices) were not allowed to be carried on. 

Now, these last restrictions have not yet happened on this side of the pong, but let me ask you – WHO in their right mind is going to let their laptop or other electronics go into the cargo area?

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We Might Run, But We Can’t Hide

So let me get this straight. Iranians are found among the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Of course we know the rockets raining down on Israel originated in Iran. We are fighting the ongoing battle of Iraq against an insurgency supported by mainly Iran. The fight against the Islamofascists of Afghanistan continues in a cyclical pattern. Quiet. … Read more

They live among us…

Despite being told otherwise, the American people are starting to wise up with regards to the threat radical Islam poses. With the latest terror  plots shown to include "homegrown" characters, we need to be ever more vigilant. They are here, hiding among us… . Editor & Publisher reports on the latest from Gallup regarding attitudes … Read more

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