Russian Ammo Depot STILL Blowing Up in Kamchatka

According to ITAR-Tass and Pravda, Munitions are exploding at artillery depots in the village of Yuzhanaya Koriakiya near Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky.

According to the latest reports, the intensity of the explosions has lessened, although specialist expect the event to go on another day. Officials have confirmed that in the 75 hectare facility, 14 ammo storage areas have already burned. 7500 local residents have been evacuated. Early reports confirm one injury from flying glass.

Snap Crackle Pop. Probably some dumbass conscript smoking cigarettes in a magazine (that never happens right?) One burning arsenal can ruin your whole day.

One of the reports said that there were no nuclear weapons stored at the facility. That's always nice to know.

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Update: According to Pravda, a state of emergency has been declared on Kamchatka due to the burning ammo storage facility. Authorities have asked residents to report any unexploded shells that might have been blown out of the facility.

Syrian Military Chief Visits Russia for Weapons

According to Kommersant magazine and Red Star the Syrian military Chief of Staff is visiting Moscow to get a weapons deal. Moscow has forgiven a previous debt of $10 Billion for arms, on the grounds that future purchases are paid in hard currency. "(General)Habib asked that the number of Syrian military receiving training at Russian military institutes and academies be increased and he gave Baluevsky two lists. The first was a list of military equipment in the Syrian armed forces that needs repair and modernization. According to information received by Kommersant, Syria is interested in the repair and modernization of its armored vehicles (1000 T-72 tanks, 500 BDRM-2 amphibious reconnaissance vehicles, 2000 BPM-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles) and aircraft (20 Su-24 strike bombers, 20 MiG-29 fighter jets and 100 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters). The second list was an inquiry for delivery of new models of weapons. Kommersant has learned that that list includes mass-produced Russian Tunguska-M antiaircraft missiles, Kornet and Metis antitank missiles and Krasnopol guided artillery projectiles."

The Red Star article doesn't mention the "Tunguska" missiles, but says the Syrians asked for "Iskander" missiles. The Russian MD, Sergei Ivanov, denied foreign press reports that Russia planned to sell those weapons, referring to an announcement at the February international security conference in Munich that "even though international agreements place no limits on the delivery of this or similar arms, Moscow has not conducted and will not conduct negotiations on this topic with Damascus." «хотя по международным соглашениям никаких ограничений на поставки этого и подобного вооружения не существует, Москва не вела и не ведет переговоров на эту тему с Дамаском».

Personally, I think modern Russian weapons and training will make fighting the Syrians more difficult and dangerous. On the other hand, Baghdad was similarly equipped and trained in 1991. The major difference now being that our training levels were still high from the Cold War. We kicked Saddam's ass so thoroughly the first time because we had been training to fight that war for forty years. The only difference was that the men manning the gear were speaking Arabic, not Russian. Our forces have been doing a great job destroying the bad guys in house to house, but are we ready for another "conventional" fight?

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Hippies Smell...or ... 1-2-3 What are we Fightin' For!

No really. Check this out... Here's a picture from Getty Images of some Anti-American, pro-terror, peace-any-cost, carpet munchin' protestors in DC this weekend...

Maybe it's me, but check out the body language on the girl on the right. I don't think she's really into it.

Now, from http://globalcop.us here are some red-blooded American gals who came out to support the troops and support victory over Al-Qaeda


Here's one of the troops (an Army veteran).

Now tell me, men, which side of the police barricade would you rather be on?

Lots more great images of the event over at http://globalcop.us

Mudville Shows How to Use Trackback!

If you haven't figured it out yet, head on over to Mudville to get some basic blogging tips. Very important are instructions on how to do trackback. Blogspot won't do it, so you have to use another service. Greyhawk shows how. I still can't seem to get it to work :(

Update 9/30: I think I finally got it working!... my first trackback ping in showed up in the Mudville Open Post (above)!

To the Mudville Archives

Brit Commander Refuses to Apologize for Basra Rescue

"The officer who commanded the operation to rescue two SAS troopers in Basra refused last night to apologise for his actions and promised to do the same again if British soldiers' lives were in danger.
"The message this action has sent to terrorists around the world is that they cannot expect to take British soldiers hostage and get away with it," said Brig John Lorimer.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Good for him. Hostage taking and negotiations are old school. Remember, with this enemy, the only reason they'll take you alive is to wait long enough to get a video camera and a backdrop.

The Reason They Hate Us is....
I think we, as Americans in general, have forgotten how to hate. Now, don't get me wrong. That's a good thing. The only problem is, that we don't understand it when we see it.

The enemy (fascist islamists) hates us. They hate us with every fiber of their beings. They hate us so much that they will fly planes into our buildings, blow up the children of fellow Muslims, and issue religious opinions justifying the murder of up to 4 million American women and children.

What is the reaction of some to this kind of hate? Some say, "we must seek to understand why they hate us" or "they hate us because of this or that..."

To the suggestion that we somehow must understand "why" they hate us, and if we only change our ways, they'll stop hating us" I respond that even asking the question "Why?" is wrong.

We cannot ask why they hate us, because to ask why presumes that there may be a legitimate response. Could they possibly say anything that would cause you to say, "Oh, of course, now I understand why you want to kill me, that's perfectly reasonable." I certainly hope your answer is no, but if it isn't, let me put it another way.

The Germans were a highly civilized people. They came up with "reasonable" and well thought out answers to the question, "Why do you hate the Jews?" Enough people listened to the answer and thought, "Oh, of course, now I understand why we must be rid of them, that's perfectly reasonable." The holocaust was the result. Don't become so civilized that you forget the difference between right and wrong. Hate of that magnitude is the manifestation of evil. There can be no justification for it.

Bottom line: Reject the question because there can be no acceptable answer.

I'll close with two lines from an interview with a holocaust survivor....
Q. What did you learn from the Holocaust?
A. That when someone tells you that they are going to kill you...believe them.

Random Thoughts.
Sorry for not posting in almost a week.

Well I quit my job today. I can't work for an organization that allows people to behave unethically. Unfortunately, I've watched them do wrong several times before gathering the courage to leave. There was a great quote I saw posted in an Army unit once... "There are no second chances on integrity..."

That pretty much sums it up. How can you work with someone who will sit in a meeting and lie directly to the boss? How can you work with someone you don't trust? How can you work with someone who puts their own advantage ahead of the mission or needs of the organization? My answer is that I can't.

My only question now is do I file a complaint? Become a whistleblower? There's a line between "merely" unethical and illegal. Have they crossed it? I don't know. Is it a courage issue? By reporting it do I protect their next hapless victim or do I just bring unknown wrath upon myself. Modern racists are insidious, smart. They won't say ni88er, or spic, or chink to your face - but their actions speak volumes. On the other hand, society lets it be okay to be an a$$hole, as long as you're not racially motivated. How to tell the difference?

Ouch...NPR in an Ugly and Petty Display of Liberal Bias

How about this quote from NPRs coverage of the Roberts confirmation hearings - Linda Worthheimer regarding the Kelo case (asserting State power of eminent domain to take property for private development)..."(the case) ...
stirred up a lot of controversy among liberal and conservatives, particularly those with waterfront property I presume."

The implication of course is that conservatives are only horrified at the Kelo decision if they own waterfront property - the fact is that conservatives are horrified by it because it takes the top right off the takings clause. If government can take private property and give it to another private party - are there any real limits left on the power of government? Liberals dislike Kelo becuase it takes power from the "little guy." Essentially both conservatives and liberals dislike this ruling because it conflicts with the essence of their principles. To suggest otherwise is dispicable.

NPR Declares US Constitution A "Legal Technicality"

Yesterday I commented on the NPR report that ascribed "rights" to the Federal government and suggested that the difference can be found in the Constitution and the Federalist papers.Today I understand why the NPR was confused. They apparently consider the Constitution to be merely a "legal technicality."

In the report the political fallout of Hurricane Katrina, Storms Shake Presidential Agenda, the reporter, Don Gonyea, mentions that DHS Director Chertoff "pointed to local officials and legal technicalities" in a statement regarding the Federal response. The report then includes an excerpt of Chertoff's statement where he refers to the Constitution and the limits of federal powers, saying "...part of this is because our Constitutional system really places primary authority within each state with the Governor..."

This is a "legal technicality?" I am disappointed but not surprised that reporters, reporters ostensibly covering stories about government, could be so ignorant about the federal government's basic structure. The Constitution limits the power of the federal government.

Granted, the application of the commerce clause has been expanded so that it seems at times that there are no real limits, but let me ask this...Do you really want to give the Federal government the power to displace our state and local governments? Do you want some Washington or regional bureaucrat to tell the state governor "step aside, we're in charge now."

I have some confidence in my state and local officials. Not alot, but some. If they are overwhelmed, I expect them to request assistance. So I wonder, are you asking for the Feds to decide when an event, maybe completely contained within a single state, is beyond the state's ability to deal with it? Do you really want the Feds to decide that? As long as you consider the US Constitution a mere legal technicality, that's where you're taking us.

Power is easy to give up, but hard to get back. Especially when it goes to Washington. They have professionals there who deal in serious power. They know not just how to keep it, but how to spread it around Washington. Never back to the states. Maybe our local bubbas sometimes get it wrong, but if they relenquish power to Washington, they'll never get another chance to get it right.

D-Day Memorial Design Chosen to Honor WWII Veterans

UPDATE 7/11/2006: Earlier enthusiasm may have been misplaced. There is a quite comprehensive post over at error theory. The public comment period is open Error Theory: Comment period now open for Flight 93 memorial: Keep the crescent-mosque off of the crash-site!

UPDATE: 11/30/2005 A small win against the forces of Dhimmitude! Apparently the design has been changed!

WASHINGTON The heroic struggle by young soldiers who opened the Western front in Europe on June 6, 1944, will be commemorated in a 2,000-acre memorial site that includes a chapel with metallic wind chimes.

The "Crooked Cross" memorial, created by a team of designers led by Paul Murdoch Architects of Los Angeles, was chosen Wednesday. The aim of the one-year competition was to honor the thousands of Allied troops who took part in the landings on the beaches of Normandy.

The chapel, featuring wind chimes symbolizing the casualties of the battle, will stand at the entryway to the vast park.

"The idea is, as the wind continues through the site, there will be sounds generated that will act as a living memory to those who died," Murdoch said.

The memorial in will also include pedestrian trails, hedges and a roadway leading to a visitor center which will be surrounded by a cross of trees. The names of the Allied and Axis dead inscribed on a white marble wall.

D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war declared by Britain after Germany and Russia annexed Poland in 1939, which combined with Austria, the Sudetenland, and Czechslovkia formed the basis for the first unified government in Europe.  It would take almost 60 years for Europe to unite again under German leadership.  Millions died in the final year of the war.

"The design did a good job of incorporating the landscape," said a relative of one veteran "It was important for us to not disturb the sanctity of the site. It really harnesses the spirit of our heroes."

A 15-member jury made up of family members, community members and design professionals was tasked with making a final recommendation on the design. Five finalists were selected from 1,011 designs.

Murdoch's design still must get the approval of the director of the National Park Service and the secretary of the Interior.

By unveiling the design in Washington, organizers hope to garner more publicity for their campaign to raise $30 million in private money for the project.

Track Back to Soldier's Angel for Another One

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Has the NPR Supreme Court Reporter Even Read the US Constitution?

In a story on NPR Morning Edition, Sept 12, the reporter was listing her analysis of Chief Justice nominee Roberts’ positions gleaned from Reagan era documents. In a telling comment, the reporter mentioned Roberts' views on allowing Congress more "...rights to limit access to courts..." for environmental groups.

This is an incorrect statement. Congress has no rights, only powers. This is not nuance. The difference between rights and powers is a fundamental constitutional distinction. It's a shame that the reporter missed this.

Just as a reminder, rights are reserved to the people only. Any power to limit the exercise of those rights is granted by the people to government through the constitution. When there is a question whether Congress or the Executive have the authority to enact legislation or exercise a power, the question is judged by the Supreme Court. Supreme court cases between people and government decide the issues of rights versus power, not rights versus rights. A fairer statement would have been “...Judge Roberts views on Congress' power to limit access to the courts…”

I know that Hamilton himself refers to the “…rights of courts to pronounce legislative acts void,…” in the Federal Papers number 78, but a complete reading of the passage reinforces the distinction that the NPR reporter should have made.
Some perplexity respecting the rights of the courts to pronounce legislative acts void, because contrary to the Constitution, has arisen from an imagination that the doctrine would imply a superiority of the judiciary to the legislative power. It is urged that the authority which can declare the acts of another void, must necessarily be superior to the one whose acts may be declared void. As this doctrine is of great importance in all the American constitutions, a brief discussion of the ground on which it rests cannot be unacceptable.
There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid.
If it be said that the legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon them is conclusive upon the other departments, it may be answered, that this cannot be the natural presumption, where it is not to be collected from any particular provisions in the Constitution. It is not otherwise to be supposed, that the Constitution could intend to enable the representatives of the people to substitute their WILL to that of their constituents. It is far more rational to suppose, that the courts were designed to be an intermediate body between the people and the legislature, in order, among other things, to keep the latter within the limits assigned to their authority. The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.
Nor does this conclusion by any means suppose a superiority of the judicial to the legislative power. It only supposes that the power of the people is superior to both; and that where the will of the legislature, declared in its statutes, stands in opposition to that of the people, declared in the Constitution, the judges ought to be governed by the latter rather than the former. They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental.

This passage clearly tells us what some reporters seem mystified by. I see or hear the mistake often, especially when liberal groups report on the “rights” of government

For example “…They split, however, in a recent decision upholding the federal government's right to ban sick people from smoking marijuana…” www.suntimes.com

or
“Human-Rights Groups Question Government's Right to Detain” www.commondreams.org

or
“…critics warned that it was an unprecedented expansion of the government's
right to spy on ordinary Americans…” www.onlisareinsradar.com

In any of the above passages, the correct word should have been “power,” not “right”. This description of a government with rights, rather than simply powers is disturbing. The rights of the people are immutable. The powers of government must be limited to those the people give it. Once you forget this, and it seems many have already, no rights are safe.

Government has no rights, only power.

We Will Not Forget You.

I lost a shipmate on September 11th. He died at his desk in the Pentagon. Like so many others that day, he wasn't on active duty. He had retired after a long and successful career. Retired as a Navy Captain, then came back to serve his country some more as a civilian.

His name was Jack Punches. When he was on active duty, Jack flew P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. He was a good pilot. The missions we did back during the Cold War could be pretty exciting (or long and boring), and Jack took us safely in and out of trouble many a time. Jack had lost his ring finger in a boating accident, so he could only give you a "high four" to celebrate success. We had quite a bit of success and fun deploying to Kef and Andoya. We would work the targets by day, and relax at "night" in the land where the sun never went down.

I think of you often, Jack. I think of the evil men who killed you and I vow that we will continue the fight until their likes are destroyed. You were a good man, Jack Punches, and you are missed.


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Federal Response Time 30 percent Better than Planning Assumptions

According to a November 2004 article in the "Natural Hazards Observer," the estimates were that it would take 10 days to rescue people stranded in the city after a catastrophic hurricane. Regardless of the fact that the mayor of New Orleans only issued a "forced" evacuation order yesterday, rescue efforts kicked off on Tuesday a week ago, and by this morning (Wednesday) appear largely complete. 10/7, looks like a 30% improvement in estimated response time.

See Natural Hazards ObserverVol. XXIX No. 2 November 2004 "...If a hurricane of a magnitude similar to Ivan does strike New Orleans, the challenges surrounding rescue efforts for those who have not evacuated will be different from other coastal areas. ...Regional and national rescue resources would have to respond as rapidly as possible and would require augmentation by local private vessels (assuming some survived). And, even with this help, federal and state governments have estimated that it would take 10 days to rescue all those stranded within the city. No shelters within the city would be free of risk from rising water."

Found after following a linked from this excellent article by Chris Regan & Bryan Preston over at National Review

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Russian Envoy to India on Chechen "Militant" Hit List

The Russian Ambassador to India, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, has requested additional security after Russian intelligence warned of a "a threat to his life from certain militant groups having links with extremist organisations in Chechnya."

Indian intelligence and security agencies too have warned the Home Ministry that militant groups are planning to eliminate Trubnikov.

Intelligence sources confirmed that there were reports indicating a possible link between Chechen rebels and militant outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the
Lashkar-e-Tayyeba which operate in the Kashmir.


Reports from the Hindustan Times and Pravda

Comment: Gee, those wouldn't be Islamist "militant" groups by any chance would they? I find it curious that Russian press repeats the term "militant" when referring to these terrorist groups. Normally they don't mince words, calling terrorists terrorists.

Let's get this clear. We are engaged in a global war against Islamist fascists. Not just Islamists, not just fascists. The enemy has a clear objective, to establish a global Caliphate ruled by Islamic law. The enemy views himself and his religon as superior to the decadent humanism of the West, or the idolatry of the East. Under sharia, non-Muslims (dhimmis) have rights barely above that of slaves (a condition also permitted and regulated by Islamic law).

For a view of what the world would be under that rule, one need look no further than Afghanistan under Taliban rule, or more recently, Qaim under Zarq.

"Public executions of policemen, local authorities and everyone who is suspected of collaboration with occupation forces began in the city. Militants replaced the existing court with Shariat's law and declared the formation of the Islamic Republic. "Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Qaim", the poster at the city entry reads. The majority of the militants are mercenaries from various Moslem countries, although some of them are Iraqis. They have the whole city under their control. They patrol it and build barricades."

We can't win until we identify who the enemy is.


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3 Traffic Policemen Killed in Dagestan

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/09/06/degestan.shtml

Three traffic police officers were killed after unidentified attackers opened fire on them in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan that borders Chechnya, RIA Novosti reported.The incident occurred on the Kavkaz federal highway near the village of Inchkhe, some 70 km from the republic’s capital, Makhachkala. The attackers escaped.

On Wolves, Sheep, and Sheepdogs

"...We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me it is like the pretty, blue robin's egg. Inside it is soft and gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.

"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf." Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, "We intimidate those who intimidate others."

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath--a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

Read it all
http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000129.html

Don't Give an Evacuation Order on the Weekend.

A lot of attention has been given to the fact that the New Orleans Mayor Failed to Evacuate the Poor and Helpless using the buses at hand,
http://snookerswamp.blogspot.com

By my caculations, if the number 569 buses is correct, then at say 50 passengers per bus (a consertive estimate) he could've moved 28,450 people.

What if there just wasn't a plan to call in school bus drivers over the weekend? Remember, they only work Monday through Friday. Could the school district

I'd like a reporter to ask if the school district even had a recall list for drivers.

Petty Officer Briefs the President on Katrina Situation

I just saw live on Fox news a Coast Guard Rescue swimmer briefing President Bush, standing shoulder to shoulder looking at a map on a table. My hat's off to the Coast Guard Captain, the on-scene commander, who brought him in. That's real leadership - giving credit to the people who make it happen. The Petty Officer was quite impressive by the way, well spoken, gave some good information and concrete examples of what he had seen. He should know, that the President will use the information to make decisions that will affect the lives of thousands of people.
I'm also reminded again of just what a real leader the President is. He says the right things, provides a clear vision of what needs to happen. For men of action, his words provided true focus and direction. It was really moving. Boy, do I miss operations.

By the way, I also like getting reminded that the President is a Southerner. He said that how most folks could help now, was to "send cash money to the Red Cross and Salvation Army." Cash-money. Gotta love it.

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Russia Demands that Georgia Release Supplies Destined for Peacekeepers
So much for the happy report from yesterday about meeting withdrawal deadlines. The Russian Min Foreign Affairs demanded that Georgia release confiscated supplies destined for peacekeeping forces in Abkazhiya and cease provocations. "Such actions violate CIS peacekeepers' rights of transit, their status, privileges and immunities - (rights and privileges) that are analogous to those of UN peacekeepers."
At last report some of the items had been released, others were nowhere to be found.

link to the Pravda article

It's amazing something like this can become an "international incident." Based on my experience, here's what probably happened - the Russians tried to transit the borders of another country (Georgia), asserting their "rights and privileges," and Joe Blow Dugashvili the border guard says - "this is my post, I have the authority to let you and your gear pass or not, I'll decide what rights and privileges you have" It quickly escalates into a clash of egos. The same thing happened to our team outside of Ulan-Ude once when we were trying to leave Buryatia (Russia). We insisted certain bags had "diplomatic immunity" and were not subject to inspection - the local customs guy, who had the authority to give clearance for our departure felt that he had the right to inspect them. Heels dug in, "rights" were asserted, and tempers flared. We finally calmed down and reached a compromise - (we opened the bags to allow a visual inspection of our gear but did not allow him to handle anything.

I learned an important lesson from that. Respect people's space. In life you will come across many people who have very little control, power, authority in their lives - except for a little circle of officialdom in their jobs. Don't challenge what to them may be an important part of their dignity and self worth. Even though you may be (or think you are) an important, powerful person - don't challenge the little authority that the customs inspector, postal clerk, customer service rep, etc has - you diminish your own dignity by thinking yourself superior - and you can make life difficult for both of you. Give people the respect they deserve. We're often really not as important as we think we are.

Republic of Georgia - Russian Troops Withdraw on Schedule

The Russian Federation, in accordance with the political declaration on the complete withdrawal of its military units from Georgia has completed the first and foremost of it obligations. On Sept 1st 40 armoured vehicles, including 20 tanks left Georgian territory. Also withdrawn were 53 wheeled vehicles of various types, 42 trailers and dozens of tons of military property. According to the agreements, Russian troops will continue the withdrawal and transfer of facilities over the next several years.

Link to Red Star

US Offers Sympathy on Anniversary of Beslan Massacre
"The American people join in deep sympathy with Russia in remembering the children, their families, teachers and the many others who died at the hands of the terrorists who carried out the brutal attack in Beslan one year ago.

The evil acts at Beslan and other equally incomprehensible ones that have claimed scores of innocent lives around the globe challenge the civilized world to unite in efforts to stop terrorism everywhere. The United States stands ready to cooperate with the Russian people in the ongoing struggle against terrorism."
http://usinfo.state.gov/eur/Archive/2005/Aug/31-615762.html

That would be Islamic terrorists right.


UPDATE: Little Green footballs links to the AFP story on the Russian remembrance - beyond skipping an mention of Islam, not even a mention of terrorists or terrorism except for a quote from a Russian teenager.