Wikio Blogs - world

[World] Michael Standaert: Chinese Hacker Challenge: Shut down Westboro Baptist Church (The Huffington Post)

The Huffington Post — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:55:31 GMT

BEIJING: Chinese hackers have gotten pretty good the past few years at disrupting things. I'm generally not in favor of encouraging hacker mayhem, but this case it a bit different. Let's see if they can shut down Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. And if you happen to be in Topeka, I suggest going over there and protesting against this stupidity (along with the vast amount of stupidity WBC has encouraged in the past ). And if that doesn't work, a lawsuit might . 50,000? 100,000? How many dead people does it take before WBC's apocalyptic bloodlust is satisfied? Idiots. If anyone at WBC or anyone else for that matter, wants to do something constructive to help the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, check in at CNReviews for a very good compilation of information on how to donate to the recovery efforts. China Crossroads also has some information on orphanage assistance. And lastly, a big hat tip to Opposite End of China , where I noticed this item. For those who've never heard of Xinjiang, I'd suggest visiting as it's the best blog in English on that part of China

ERE Blog Central | ERE Blog Network : China Earthquake Donation Tips ...
China Law Blog : China Earthquake Donation Guide ...

blogs : ERE Blog Central | ERE Blog Network,Shanghaiist,The Huffington Post,China Law Blog...
(4 posts, last update: 16/05/2008 08:55)

[World] Anonymous Texts at Bus Stops - Big Brother's Creepy Bluetooth Campaign (Textually)

Textually — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:25:45 GMT

To promote popular reality show Big Brother 2008 on Channel TEN in Australia, advertising agency Marketforce in Perth came up with a unique bluetooth SMS campaign that really caught people by surprise. The ads embodied the Big Brother is watching slogan, which is the essence of the show. Trendhunter reports. "The campaign installed Blue-tooth transmitters in over 20 high-traffic bus shelters around town. The transmitters automatically sent two anonymous messages to any bluetooth enabled phones in the area. The first message was tailored specifically for the local location, with something along the lines of Im watching u. Ur at the (customized current location). The second message is received 30-40 seconds later with the big reveal, saying Big Brother is back. 7 PM weeknights on TEN.

TREND HUNTER Magazine : Anonymous Texts at Bus Stops - Big Brother's Creepy Bluetooth Campaign (GALLERY) ...
Cherryflava : Big Brother ad campaign makes Aussies feel threatened, for a change ...

blogs : Cherryflava,ac360blog,TREND HUNTER Magazine,Ypulse,Textually...
(5 posts, last update: 16/05/2008 02:25)

[World] Afghan teacher shot dead after speech condemning suicide bombings (Jihad Watch)

Jihad Watch — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:10:29 GMT

Why Islamic reform is about as likely as an attack by men from Mars, part 65320: "Afghan teacher killed after speech condemning suicide bombings," from The Associated Press, May 14 (thanks to Jeffrey Imm): KABUL, Afghanistan: A teacher was shot...

UNCoRRELATED : Murder, murder ...
BackyardConservative : Murder, murder ...

blogs : PAXALLES,Infidels Are Cool,Josh's Weblog,UNCoRRELATED,Jihad Watch...
(10 posts, last update: 16/05/2008 00:10)

[World] Hezbollah's Delusion and the Shia's Dire Straits (Michael J. Totten)

Michael J. Totten — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:10:00 GMT

By Tony Badran (cross posted at Across the Bay ) Two excellent items in NOW Lebanon: One, a superb piece by Michael Young on the repercussions of Hezbollah's mad, and failed, coup attempt on the Lebanese Shi'a. It's really a must read (and you can see echoes in Abu Kais' moving post yesterday). Two, a sharp editorial on Hezbollah's weapons and its dead-end options within a unitary state. Again, it's worth reading in full.

Across the Bay : Hezbollah's Delusion and the Shia's Dire Straits ...
Blacksmiths of Lebanon : Map of Mountain Clashes ...

blogs : Blacksmiths of Lebanon,Michael J. Totten,Jeha's Nail - مسمار جحا,Across the Bay...
(4 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 17:10)

[World] The Golf War (The Duck of Minerva)

The Duck of Minerva — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:57:05 GMT

According to President George W. Bush, the U.S. has been engaged in a "war on terrorism" for almost the entirety of his presidency. Indeed, he frequently laments the fact that he's been a " war President " despite not knowing in 2000 that that would be his destiny. Critics have often bashed the President for failing to urge the American people to make common sacrifices in support of that war. Even sympathetic voices say that soldiers have made virtually all the major sacrifices in this war. Indeed, rather than make sacrifices, the President has long encouraged the American people to live their lives as if the war did not require personal hardship. Go shopping , he often said: the American people have got to go about their business. We cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation to the point where we don't -- where we don't conduct business, where people don't shop. As recently as December 2006, Bush said "I encourage you all to go shopping more." Now that his term in office is about over, however, the President has revealed the personal sacrifice he's making. From today's Washington Post : President Bush said yesterday that he gave up golfing in 2003 "in solidarity" with the families of soldiers who were dying in Iraq, concluding that it was "just not worth it anymore" to play the sport in a time of war. "I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf," Bush said in a White House interview with the Politico. "I feel I owe it to the families to be as -- to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal." Bush said he decided to stop playing golf on Aug. 19, 2003, when a truck bomb in Baghdad killed U.N. special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello and more than a dozen others. I'm sure the parents of the troops must feel much better about the commander-in-chief. Scratch that. I'm sure we'll see that quote in a future Michae

Mirth, Musings, & More : Why I Have A New Found Admiration For Bush ...
At Home In The Wasteland : Oh, what a sacrifice ...

blogs : At Home In The Wasteland,Mirth, Musings, & More,Minor Ripper,The Liberal Blog Network,The Duck of Minerva...
(5 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 20:57)

[World] HAMAS Sends A Welcome to President Bush (YID With LID)

YID With LID — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Hamas wanted to give President Bush the proper welcome so it sent a Grad rocket toward the Hutzot Shopping Center in Ashkelon. At least 14 hurt, including a little baby. It is US pressure that prevent Israel from launching a major operation in Gaza to clean out Hamas once and for all. I have an Idea Mr. President. Perhaps you can allow your daughter to spend her Honeymoon in Sderot or Ashkelon? After all, you and your mouthpiece Condoleezza Rice don't think a major operation is necessary to protect Israeli citizens. More about the missile attack below: At least 14 hurt as Grad rocket hits Ashkelon shopping mall THE JERUSALEM POST At least 14 people were wounded Wednesday evening, including a baby girl and her mother, when a Grad rocket fired from Gaza hit the Hutzot Shopping Center in Ashkelon. MDA said that the baby was listed in moderate condition, her mother and two others were seriously wounded, two people were in moderate condition and nine people, including two children, were lightly hurt. Dozens of people were treated for shock. The casualties were evacuated to the city's Barzilai Hospital. The rocket hit the top floor of the building, where offices and clinics are located, and the shopping mall sustained considerable damage. Rescue service director Eli Bean said at least two people were trapped under the rubble. They were later rescued and taken to the hospital. Witnesses said an early warning siren meant to give a few seconds for people to take cover did not sound before the rocket slammed into the mall. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket attack in a statement on its Web site. The attack came as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and US President George W. Bush concluded their meeting in Jerusalem. Olmert said at the end of the talks that Israel would not tolerate attacks from Gaza terrorists. "We will not be able to tolerate continuous attacks on innocent civilians. We hope we will not have to act against Hamas in other ways with the military powe

Yourish.com : Terror attack in Ashkelon ...
Shiloh Musings : While Olmert Fiddles and Bush Dances A Jig ...

blogs : Yourish.com,Shiloh Musings,YID With LID...
(3 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 16:00)

[World] Surprise (UK Commentators)

UK Commentators — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:50:00 GMT

I wanted Rangers to win, but win or lose this was a pretty predictable headline. I was in Manchester in 1974 when Rangers played at Old Trafford in a 'friendly'. United supporters were hiding their scarves as they got off the train at Victoria and ' the violence was the worst Old Trafford has ever seen '.

Liberty Scott : Manchester endures rioting Glaswegians ...
The Marple Leaf : Ten thoughts on the UEFA Cup final in Manchester ...

blogs : Martin Kelly,UK Commentators,The Marple Leaf,benedson,Liberty Scott...
(5 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 10:50)

[World] A Iraqi Zoomie Story (BLACKFIVE)

BLACKFIVE — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:06:16 GMT

Over at Castle Argghhh!, Bill T., training the new Iraqi Air Force, has a story about one of it's air men - Hussayn's Story.

Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's : COIN: Stop Being the Alien ...
Neptunus Lex : Learning the hard way ...

blogs : BLACKFIVE,Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's,Neptunus Lex...
(3 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 09:06)

[World] Taliban and al Qaeda losing in Afghanistan (PrairiePundit)

PrairiePundit — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:04:00 GMT

Strategy Page: Afghan and security forces waited, and waited, for the Taliban Spring Offensive, but it never came. Gun battles with the Taliban were down 50 percent so far, compared to last year. Roadside bomb attacks were about the same. But Taliban casualties were up, as more Afghan and NATO forces went looking for them. Last year, 8,000 people died in Taliban violence. So far this year, the death toll is 1,200, indicating casualties for the year will be about half what they were last year. This year, a higher proportion of the dead are Taliban and al Qaeda, and a lower proportion civilians. While some Taliban commanders have tried to develop new tactics to reduce casualties (smaller units of Taliban, and avoiding contact with police and troops), nothing has worked. The Afghan army is larger (76,000 troops) and better trained than last year, and there are more foreign troops. Worst of all, more tribal leaders have sided with the government this year, meaning tribal militias are also ready to fight Taliban moving through previously pro-Taliban territory. ... Al Qaeda has been more prominent in the Afghan fighting this year, and have been taking more losses. Afghan and NATO commanders were taken by surprise when a pro-al Qaeda website reported that one of their leaders, Abu Suleiman al Otaibi, had been killed recently in a battle with foreign troops. Until last year, al Otaibi had been sought in Iraq, where he was a known leader of terrorist forces. But many al Qaeda leaders and technical experts have departed Iraq in the last year. Some have "retired" (gone inactive, and into hiding), but most of those who have disappeared from Iraq have been showing up in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The ones who come to Afghanistan find themselves constantly under attack by Afghan police and foreign troops. In Pakistan, the Taliban is trying to arrange a ceasefire with the government, and negotiate safe havens from which Islamic terrorists can operate against the Afghan government.

XDA : Good News from Afghanistan ...
Unenlightened Commentary. : Seasonal Let Down. ...

blogs : Unenlightened Commentary.,The Dignified Rant,PrairiePundit,XDA...
(4 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 16:04)

[World] Obama loses his bearings (Power Line)

Power Line — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:24:32 GMT

There is occasionally an improvised quality to Barack Obama's critique of the conduct of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He sometimes seems to be making up his critique as he goes along. This improvised quality comes through clearly in the ABC News Political Radar blog report on Barack Obama's appearance earlier this week in Cape Girardeau: Sporting a shiny new American flag pin at an appearance in Rush Limbaugh's hometown, Sen. Barack Obama came up with some novel reasons why the U.S. may be struggling in the war in Afghanistan. "We don't have enough capacity right now to deal with it -- and it's not just the troops," Obama, D-Ill., told a crowd in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Obama posited -- incorrectly -- that Arabic translators deployed in Iraq are needed in Afghanistan -- forgetting, momentarily, that Afghans don't speak Arabic. "We only have a certain number of them and if they are all in Iraq, then its harder for us to use them in Afghanistan," Obama said. The vast majority of military translators in both war zones are drawn from the local population. Naturally they speak the local language. In Iraq, that's Arabic or Kurdish. In Afghanistan, it's any of a half dozen other languages -- including Pashtu, Dari, and Farsi. Ed Morrissey comments here , and Jeff Emanuel provides an extended consideration here .

Hot Air : Obama stumbles on Iraq, Afghanistan ...
Gateway Pundit : OOPS!! Obama Goofs-- Wants More Arabic Speakers in Afghanistan (Video) ...

blogs : Bizblogger,The Sundries Shack,PrairiePundit,Freedoms Zone,ElephantBiz...
(13 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 15:24)

[World] Britain Opens Up Secret UFO Files (NoisyRoom.net)

NoisyRoom.net — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:04:00 GMT

From Fox News: LONDON — The men were air traffic controllers. Experienced, calm professionals. Nobody was drinking. What they saw has never been explained. And they were so worried about losing their jobs that they demanded their names be kept off the official reports. No one, they knew, would believe their claim that an unidentified flying [...]

BlogNetNews.com/Iowa : God, Politics, and Rock 'n' Roll: Britain's Secret UFO Files Revealed! ...
Investor's Iraq Forum : Britain Opens Up Secret UFO Files ...

blogs : Investor's Iraq Forum,Screw Politically Correct B.S.,NoisyRoom.net,Haunting Breaks,BlogNetNews.com/Iowa...
(5 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 06:04)

[World] Then I Will RAPE YOU !! (YID With LID)

YID With LID — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:30:19 GMT

Michael Slackmen wanted to know what young Saudi men were thinking, So he went out to the desert outside of Riyadh with two friends one male and one female. And began to talk to six Saudi men they encountered. The men told the woman she was lucky that she was with someone they respected: “What would you do if we were with someone else?'’ she asked. “I would get rid of him and try something with you,'’ he replied. “Not rape, I would try to do something, to get you to do something.” “And if I said no?” she asked. “Then I would rape you.” This is a perfect example of the place women have in an Islamic society. There for the man's pleasure and when they no longer pleasure, there is always "honor killing." It is also a perfect example of the hypocrisy of the left. They should be fighting for the rights of women in Muslim countries, but they sit on their hands. Read more of the discussion with the young Saudis below: Frank Talk, and Warnings, in a Saudi Desert By Michael Slackman For privacy and a little sense of freedom, Saudi youths often go out to the desert. So when I wanted to talk to some young men, a friend suggested we drive outside of Riyadh. At the edge of the city, I sat with the friend and a female Egyptian journalist I was traveling with to talk to six Saudi men, ages 19 to 26. They all worked for the Saudi military. The sun was setting as a shadow began to blanket the rolling sand dunes. Dry wood crackled on a bright orange fire, a blackened coffee pot sat by the glowing coals and sweet dates, sticky to the touch, were passed around. It was a beautiful, peaceful scene, soon to be interrupted. “You're reckless,'’ one of the young men said to me. He said that it was dangerous to drive into the desert with a group of Saudi men we did not know well. He said we were lucky to have been invited by someone who was honest and trustworthy. Otherwise he said, we might have been attacked. “The way a Saudi would think is ‘What is this girl doing here alone?’ If you are w

Webloggin : I Say “No” and Young Saudi Men Say Yes, With Rape ...
Infidels Are Cool : Some insight into the local mentality, of a native in Saudi Arabia ...

blogs : Infidels Are Cool,YID With LID,Webloggin...
(3 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 13:30)

[World] Belgium: Police protect "Muhammad Pulpit" after threats (Dhimmi Watch)

Dhimmi Watch — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:55:40 GMT

A "hideous insult" -- like the jihad against Europe This pulpit is part of European history and heritage. If Muslims want to regard this as a "hideous insult," they should likewise regard the Ottoman invasions of Europe, and the...

Pub Philosopher : Muslims protest about Mohammed pulpit - 300 years too late ...
mediawatchwatch.org.uk : Mo-stomp pulpit upsets Turks ...

blogs : snapped shot,Patrick Joubert Conlon,Dhimmi Watch,mediawatchwatch.org.uk,Pub Philosopher...
(5 posts, last update: 16/05/2008 03:55)

[World] Quokkas safe (Crooked Timber)

Crooked Timber — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:53:17 GMT

Australia is well known as a sophisticated modern nation, prominent in scientific and cultural endeavors of all kinds, and not characterized by marsupials in the main street, top paddock or other incongruous locations. That's why I hasten to forestall the rumors that Western Australian Opposition leader Troy Buswell may have done something inappropriate with a [...]

Thoughts from Kansas : Australians do it down under ...
Pigdogfucker : Quokka news ...

blogs : Pigdogfucker,Crooked Timber,Blood & Treasure,Thoughts from Kansas...
(4 posts, last update: 15/05/2008 20:53)

[World] Hezbollah's Third Botched Coup Attempt (Michael J. Totten)

Michael J. Totten — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:33:05 GMT

By Tony Badran (cross-posted at Across the Bay ) In three years, since the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri, Hezbollah has attempted three coups — and failed. On March 8, 2005, Hezbollah thought that by rallying supporters they would nip the independence movement in the bud, maintain the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, and move on as though nothing happened. One week later, March 14 happened, in large part as a reaction to Hezbollah's rally. It secured the expulsion of the murderous Assad regime's occupying force. Then in 2006, with the July war and its aftermath, especially the movement in December 06-January 07. In their first attempt in January 23-25, Hezbollah tried its coup and relied on Aounist elements. That proved a disaster as the Aounist riffraff were done away with in a matter of hours, ending any prospect of relying on Christian proxies to do Hezbollah's bidding. The Lebanese Forces' Samir Geagea, whose supporters were instrumental in dispersing the Aounists, was the central figure during that coup. Then came this last attempt, which Nasrallah deliberately placed in parallel to the aftermath of the Hariri assassination: i.e., this was intended to be the official reversal of the independence movement. After Hezbollah took west Beirut, attacking civilians in their homes, ransacking and terrorizing neighborhoods and media outlets , following a conscious decision by Hariri not to put up a fight, the Iranian militia foolishly thought that it can just as easily overrun Jumblat on his own turf in the Shouf. Hezbollah had another thing coming. For three days of intensive fighting in the Shouf, and contrary to the lying info ops and disinformation of Hezbollah water carriers like this clueless Hezbollah willful tool (on whose propaganda for Hezbollah I've written in the past and will soon be ripping to shreds once again), not a single village in the Shouf fell to Hezbollah . Not Niha, like that Hezbollah watercarrier MacLeod wrote, not anything. Quite the contrary. According to the PSP and other local sources, more than three dozen Hezbollah fighters were killed and a number of their vehicles were destroyed. The fact that they had to introduce artillery and vehicles (mounted with heavy machine guns, like so , and recoilless rifles, like so ) only showed that they could not make advances into the villages. Not just that, but Hezbollah's attack has led Talal Arslan's fighters to switch and fight alongside the PSP against Hezbollah, undermining Hezbollah's tiny Druze ally — which is precisely why Jumblat put him in the forefront from the get go (it was not, as shrill commentators and dishonest flacks read it, a sign of “weakness.” It was a shrewed move by a master tactician.). At the end of the day, the PSP maintained control of the strategic hills of the Barouk to the east and Ras al-Jabal west of Aley, overlooking the Dahiyeh. And so, Jumblat and the Shouf played a historical role these last few days (and I will have a lengthy post on Jumblat's role in this crisis asap) and have essentially botched Hezbollah's coup. All the idiotic commentators, from Paul Salem onwards, who talked about a different “political balance” as a result of the fighting, don't and never did know what they're talking about. This is political suicide for Hezbollah, who has already made contacts with Hariri through a third party informing him that they're looking for an exit. They know they're in a jam. Not just that, now the government is in a position to leverage rescinding its decisions — which it could never implement to begin with! — and we're already seeing M14 and government sources expressing that. For one, all M14 officials — including Hariri who made a terrific, powerful speech yesterday — are now unanimous about placing the fate of Hezbollah's weapons as the first item on any “dialogue” agenda. Gone are the days of the “sanctity” of the weapons of the “resistance.” Minister Joe Sarkis has added that any rescinding of the decisions has to be met by not just a withdrawal of armed men from the streets and the reopening of all roads, but also the evacuation of the tent city in downtown Beirut. The mere fact that M14 and the government are bartering the rescinding of a decision that was never going to be implemented (and if the government was illegitimate, according to Hezbollah, then why even bother focusing on its decisions and thereby affirm its legitimacy') suggests, regardless of outcome, that they know that there's no “new balance” advantageous to Hezbollah that forces them to capitulate. Army Commander Suleiman is now under tons of pressure. Hariri himself criticized the Army's performance, and we know that 40 senior officers submitted their resignation (which would've split the Army) in protest of Suleiman's handling of the situation (and we also know that criminal pro-Aounist officers were particularly egregious during the crisis). Saudi outlets have even criticized the Army's performance, putting more pressure on Suleiman to get his act together if he wants to become president (especially now that any gambit about Hezbollah tilting the balance has failed). The US, which also has leverage through its aid to the Army might also do the same. These kinds of pressures, domestic, regional and international, and Suleiman's susceptibility to them, is why Syria won't take a chance with him. Anyone who doesn't fall and lick Bashar's boots without hesitation at a moment's notice cannot be trusted as far as the murderer of Damascus is concerned, and it's why Syria knows that it must return militarily to Lebanon in order to rule it. Even doing it by proxy, through Hezbollah, hasn't worked. This is far from over. In fact, this has only just begun.

PrairiePundit : Hiezballah grabs strategic area around Beirut ...
Rootless Cosmopolitan : About That ‘New’ Middle East… ...

blogs : Rootless Cosmopolitan,PrairiePundit,Michael J. Totten,Across the Bay...
(4 posts, last update: 14/05/2008 19:33)