Click on the title for a larger video image
Video of the F4 Tornado at Elie Manitoba. I'd say it was a couple of random numbers away from going F5, but what do I know.
Hopefully, this post doesn't cause another avalanche of spectacle seekers who don't READ.
MICHAEL HOLLOWAY'S FilterBlogs: F4 Tornado Hits Elie Manitoba
MICHAEL HOLLOWAY'S FilterBlogs: People Like To Talk About The Weather...
Click the 'Climate' Label below for all FilterBlogs weather related posts.
mh
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Mapping Space With IMAGE Mission Data
The Heliophysics Team at NASA have been busy...
The Link below takes you to a NASA movie of the southern aurora, produced with data from NASA Mission IMAGE.
From NASA: Link to the aurora movie.
From the IMAGE mission page.
Source: "The personal blog of Don McArthur"
mh
The Link below takes you to a NASA movie of the southern aurora, produced with data from NASA Mission IMAGE.
From NASA: Link to the aurora movie.
From the IMAGE mission page.
"The IMAGE mission was designed as a two-year mission but has exceeded all its scientific goals and has produced a fire hose of stunning images of the previously invisible region of space in the inner magnetosphere."(to get us hover cars)
Source: "The personal blog of Don McArthur"
mh
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
UPDATED: CIA's "Family Jewels" Raise Concerns About Civil Liberties
Today's release of some, still censored CIA illegal operations, began a discussion on NPR's radio show "To the Point", with Warren Olney, about current tactics in the Global War on Terror.
The web site frames the discussion like this:
The podcast of the episode.
These revelations come as Vice President Dick Cheney's Office is coming under increasing scrutiny by law makers.
Never in history has the office of the vice president been so large. Conventionally, the office was seen as that of an 'apprentice', an 'observer', ready to fill the void should the president become un-able to execute the office.
Now it seems to be a clearing house for black operations, a way to compartmentalize, isolate the office of the president from illegal activities which the president could be impeached for under law passed in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
From USA Today:
The Empirists are saying, this is like WW ll, the state requires special powers to fight The Global War on Terror. They're objective would appear to be the repeal of the 'Watergate' laws.
mh
The web site frames the discussion like this:
The CIA has released "the Family Jewels," agents' reports on 25 years of illegal activities ending in 1974. CIA Director, General Michael Hayden, says it reveals "a very different time and a very different agency." How different is the CIA now, with Dick Cheney holding the intelligence portfolio for President Bush?
The podcast of the episode.
These revelations come as Vice President Dick Cheney's Office is coming under increasing scrutiny by law makers.
Never in history has the office of the vice president been so large. Conventionally, the office was seen as that of an 'apprentice', an 'observer', ready to fill the void should the president become un-able to execute the office.
Now it seems to be a clearing house for black operations, a way to compartmentalize, isolate the office of the president from illegal activities which the president could be impeached for under law passed in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
From USA Today:
Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said Sunday that a court should decide whether the vice president belongs to the executive or legislative branch. "The vice president needs to make a decision," he said.
Lea Anne McBride, a Cheney spokeswoman, said Emanuel is the one who has to decide. "He can either deal with the serious issues facing our country or create more partisan politics," she said.
The Empirists are saying, this is like WW ll, the state requires special powers to fight The Global War on Terror. They're objective would appear to be the repeal of the 'Watergate' laws.
mh
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
People Like To Talk About The Weather...
My "F4 Tornado Hits Elie Manitoba" post was a real hit, according to my blogs' Stat Counter. FilterBlogs experienced a 19 fold increase in 'visits'!
In this example, with the search words, "tornado + elie + manitoba" my choice of words got me top billing. This is a picture of that Google search.
|
| Web | Results 1 - 10 of about 185,000 for tornado elie manitoba. (0.09 seconds) |
News results for tornado elie manitoba- View today's top stories | |
 | Violent tornado spares town's residents - Globe and Mail - 21 hours ago |
MICHAEL HOLLOWAY'S FilterBlogs: F4 Tornado Hits Elie Manitoba
| F4 Tornado Hits Elie Manitoba. Images from CTV.ca Photo Gallery Saturday June 23,2007 Photo: Sara Tkachyk Photo: Sara Tkachyk Photo: Sara Tkachyk ... filter--blog.blogspot.com/2007/ |
globeandmail.com: Tornado cleanup begins in southern Manitoba
| A tornado touches down near Elie, Manitoba on Friday. At least four homes were destroyed and several others damaged after a tornado hit the small town west ... www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/ |
CTV.ca | Manitoba town cleans up after destructive tornado
| A damaged flour mill and a truck are shown in Elie, Manitoba after reports of ... Hudek said the Elie tornado will be especially memorable for one group. ... www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/ |
...
Lots of different ways to talk about the weather, but there are surprisingly few words in the language that describe a tornado hitting Elie Manitoba.
Here's page one of four, from Stat Counters, "recent keyword activity" results (percentage of 100 'visits').
| elie manitoba tornado | |||
 | 7 | 8.54% | tornado elie manitoba |
| 6 | 7.32% | f4 tornado manitoba |
| 4 | 4.88% | tornado in elie manitoba |
| 4 | 4.88% | tornado in elie |
| 3 | 3.66% | tornado elie mb |
| 3 | 3.66% | tornado and elie and manitoba and june and 2007 |
| 3 | 3.66% | elie manitoba |
| 3 | 3.66% | elie mb. tornado |
| 2 | 2.44% | tornado in elie, manitoba |
| 2 | 2.44% | f4 tornado in manitoba |
| 2 | 2.44% | tornado hits manitoba |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes in elie, manitoba |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie tornado photos |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie, manitoba tornado |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado elie, mb |
| 1 | 1.22% | manitoba f4 tornado |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes i |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie mb tornado photos |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie manito |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie manitoba, tornado, 2007 |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado, elie,mb |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoe in elie manitoba |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes in elie mb pictures |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes in |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie f 4 |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie f4 tornado |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes in elie mb |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie f4 |
| 1 | 1.22% | elie, manitoba, tornado |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes in elie manitoba |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado in elie mb. |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes from elie |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado photo elie mb |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornadoes elie manitoba |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado in elie mb |
| 1 | 1.22% | tornado and elie |
| 1 | 1.22% | manitoba tornado photos |
Unfortunaly, the deluge has rendered temporarily, useless the functionality of my free Stat Counter account.
FilterBlog's Stat Counter button is in side bar; you're welcome to browse through it, at any time.
Interesting stuff.
mh
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
F4 Tornado Hits Elie Manitoba
Images from CTV.ca Photo Gallery Saturday June 23,2007
Click on highlighted Photos for the original post.
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Shaun McLeod
Yikes!
The Amazing photos of the Elie Manitoba F4 Tornado I posted here had to be removed because they were causing a flood in my Stat Counter of what appear to be computer programs scanning content. Horsemen of the corporate law, I expect.
See related article and links:
MICHAEL HOLLOWAY'S FilterBlogs: People Like To Talk About The Weather...
mh
Click on highlighted Photos for the original post.
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Sara Tkachyk
Photo: Shaun McLeod
Yikes!
The Amazing photos of the Elie Manitoba F4 Tornado I posted here had to be removed because they were causing a flood in my Stat Counter of what appear to be computer programs scanning content. Horsemen of the corporate law, I expect.
See related article and links:
MICHAEL HOLLOWAY'S FilterBlogs: People Like To Talk About The Weather...
mh
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Essentially, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker Is Lying By Omission.
In my last post on the War in Afghanistan I tried to give a broad picture of the Taleban offensive and NATO's reaction to it.
Now, a little more detail on the Kind of war Canadian soldiers are fighting.
(Here's some music to listen to while reading THIS article.)
I came across this quote from Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker, battle group commander for the Canadian contingent in Afghanistan, in the Saturday June 23, 2007 edition of the Globe and Mail in a story by Graeme Smith entitled, "Afghan Civilian Casualties Soaring":
That's horse sh*t.
When Canadian Forces find Taleban dug in, they call in air support from 'Enduring Freedom', the US operation in Afghanistan, who then - guided by lasers pointed by Canadians - blow the target to smithereens.
Essentially, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker is lying by omission.
(WARNING: the following contains horrific detail.)
After the bombs hit, our boys don't experience that disingenuous tripe; instead they get reality. They go in and reconnoiter the target - to see how many Taleban bodies they can identify - and in some cases, they get to count dismembered corpses of babies, women and old men.
And then they get to puke.
One of the most awful descriptions of the casualties I've heard of in this new era of high energy explosives comes from Iraq...
You get to the target, and there's movement in the smoke, 'things' are moving in there - then you realize it's people, live people - with no arms or legs, in shock - they're trying to move, trying to get away... get to safety.
Our young men are now faced with a moral dilemma (if there's no superior officer present), shoot them in the head to put them out of their misery; or try to tourniquet the stubs (which, when you try, just breaks the burnt skin and makes the wound worse); or do you continue about your duties, secure the area etc., while the bodies continue to scream, writhe, and finally die.
A third option, give the one screaming the loudest, the heroin in your med kit (which is against regulation, but you can replace it easily enough).
Here's another example of spin doctoring from the battle group commander of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan; from a June 14, 2007 Globe and Mail story by Graeme Smith. (now, only available with a subscription from Canada's National, Profiting from Death, Newspaper.)
The tanks we shipped over there last year... ..that has nothing to do with the Talebans changed tactics this year... ..like we should all feel better knowing we fought them to a stand-off LAST year.
While we're at it, if we're talking about the 'last war', why not mention how surprised we were when they used regular tactics, the failure in our intelligence, that gave us no clue that they were capable of that level of organization.
Don't try to bull sh*t the Canadian people, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker, Canadians may be a few days behind the news, but we're not stupid - or ignorant.
Why is the battle group commander running psychological operations any way? Does DND not have a communication department in country?
Man, we look provincial.
In other developments, CTV reported that,
Agreed, but we should be in constant negotiation with the enemy, even if we decide that continuing aggressive military action is in our interest.
mh
Now, a little more detail on the Kind of war Canadian soldiers are fighting.
(Here's some music to listen to while reading THIS article.)
I came across this quote from Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker, battle group commander for the Canadian contingent in Afghanistan, in the Saturday June 23, 2007 edition of the Globe and Mail in a story by Graeme Smith entitled, "Afghan Civilian Casualties Soaring":
“We're being very judicious about our fire,” Col. Walker said. “We've had no complaints about women and children getting killed.”
That's horse sh*t.
When Canadian Forces find Taleban dug in, they call in air support from 'Enduring Freedom', the US operation in Afghanistan, who then - guided by lasers pointed by Canadians - blow the target to smithereens.
Essentially, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker is lying by omission.
(WARNING: the following contains horrific detail.)
After the bombs hit, our boys don't experience that disingenuous tripe; instead they get reality. They go in and reconnoiter the target - to see how many Taleban bodies they can identify - and in some cases, they get to count dismembered corpses of babies, women and old men.
And then they get to puke.
One of the most awful descriptions of the casualties I've heard of in this new era of high energy explosives comes from Iraq...
You get to the target, and there's movement in the smoke, 'things' are moving in there - then you realize it's people, live people - with no arms or legs, in shock - they're trying to move, trying to get away... get to safety.
Our young men are now faced with a moral dilemma (if there's no superior officer present), shoot them in the head to put them out of their misery; or try to tourniquet the stubs (which, when you try, just breaks the burnt skin and makes the wound worse); or do you continue about your duties, secure the area etc., while the bodies continue to scream, writhe, and finally die.
A third option, give the one screaming the loudest, the heroin in your med kit (which is against regulation, but you can replace it easily enough).
Here's another example of spin doctoring from the battle group commander of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan; from a June 14, 2007 Globe and Mail story by Graeme Smith. (now, only available with a subscription from Canada's National, Profiting from Death, Newspaper.)
"Pressure from NATO forces has so far prevented the Taliban from forming into large attack groups of the kind witnessed last year", Lt.-Col. Walker said..That's horse sh*t too.
The tanks we shipped over there last year... ..that has nothing to do with the Talebans changed tactics this year... ..like we should all feel better knowing we fought them to a stand-off LAST year.
While we're at it, if we're talking about the 'last war', why not mention how surprised we were when they used regular tactics, the failure in our intelligence, that gave us no clue that they were capable of that level of organization.
Don't try to bull sh*t the Canadian people, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Walker, Canadians may be a few days behind the news, but we're not stupid - or ignorant.
Why is the battle group commander running psychological operations any way? Does DND not have a communication department in country?
Man, we look provincial.
In other developments, CTV reported that,
"..NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canada should stop aggressive military action in the war-torn country and move towards political negotiations."
Agreed, but we should be in constant negotiation with the enemy, even if we decide that continuing aggressive military action is in our interest.
mh
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
More Lost Battles In Afghanistan - The Forgotten War
In my last post on the Taleban offensive in Afghanistan, I supposed Canadian Forces were likely in the thick of it.They are.
On Wednesday, three Canadian soldiers died on the road near Masum Gar, Afghanistan.
Written by Stephanie Levitz, Canadian Press @ Canada.com
"The blast killed all three soldiers in the vehicle while they were carrying out a resupply operation near a forward-operating base at Sperwan Ghar, the military said."
And later in the same story...
"The latest deaths came on the day of the military funeral for 25-year-old Trooper Darryl Caswell in Bowmanville, Ontario. He was also killed by a roadside bomb on June 11, when the Canadian military in Afghanistan came across a large number of improvised explosive devices."
The national media is presently reticent to offer an over-view, from scant reports, about what's going on in this forgotten war. I am not as reticent as they, but I understand their point. Writing war is full of land mines; what you think is going on, is probably wrong. If your facts are straight, the story may not be temporal.
Luckily, I am not beholden to anyone at this blog, only the attentions of you readers. So, here are a collection of my 'temporal slices' from this forgotten war.
The new British ambassador to Afghanistan, in his first statement in his present capacity expressed either the level of his ignorance, or the height of his arrogance...
(quoted from an article in The Independent, June 20, 2007, by James Tapsfield, my emphasis)
Ambassador, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles:
"The great(?!) thing about the Taliban is that they haven't been reading their Chairman Mao. They don't have popular support."
The Taleban are not disciples of the idea of populism like the communist movement(which champion the majority, peasants or workers), that the ambassador refers to.
Taleban don't care if they have popular support; in 'imperially occupied territories', they create a tension of insecurity, going as far as butchering citizens they deem un-Islamic. On this Podcast from The Guardian Unlimited "..Declan Walsh reports on how locals are resisting this Talibanisation. Also, see an informative audio slide show, historical backgrounder, from the Guardian Unlimited.
The Taleban exude purposefulness and discipline; and they demand popular obedience, not support. They are the products of a sect of fundamentalist Islam's, 'madrassa', schooling. They are the elite of a education system that teaches extreme intolerance and armed insurrection towards an Islamic state. They insist on an extreme standard of public decorum in the areas they dominate. Disobedience is rewarded with brutal public sanction, including death.
The population is suffering under the Tabeban's Islamic law, murder-squads, and a NATO war machine that is unbelievably powerful, destructive, and indiscriminate. The Taleban draw their enemy to fight in populated areas because towns are the fulcrum of government power; and it is to their strategic advantage. Regularly, a village will become a free fire zone, a rule of engagement I've heard interpreted as, 'shoot anything that moves' orders. And they do.
Published in the New York Times Barry Bearak and Taimoor Shah wrote,
KABUL, Afghanistan, June 18, 2007Lost that battle.
Afghan officials said late Monday that more than 50 civilians may have died during fierce fighting over the past three days between NATO forces and the Taliban in the Chora district of the southern province of Uruzgan.
That's Canada's bailiwick. No reports yet as to which NATO force was involved.
Maj. Dave Quick, commanding officer of India Company, Royal Canadian Regiment, told Stephanie Levitz,
"..Wednesday's (June 20, 2007) battle was longest firefight his company has been in even though it was their 12th combat mission in the last month."
On Thursday Canadian troops were involved in another action in Helmand province.
By Peter Walker of The Guardian
"The air strike - which happened late yesterday (June 21, 2007) - was launched in response to an attack on police posts near the town of Gereshk by militants. It killed 25 civilians including nine women, three babies and the mullah of a local mosque."
Lost that battle.
Later in the same story Peter Walker writes.
According to the Associated Press news agency, the latest deaths - if confirmed - will bring the number of civilians killed in NATO or US-led military operations this year to 177. Among these were seven children who died in a US air strike on Sunday.
A total of 169 civilians have been killed in militant attacks this year, including a recent series of suicide bombings.
So between us and them are 346 civilian dead.
"The latest NATO deaths bring to 606 the number of foreign troops killed in action in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taleban in 2001."(from © Reuters 2007)
Sixty Canadians serving in the Canadian Forces and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan so far.
I hope this over-view gives Canadians an idea of the intensity of action our soldiers are facing right now.
Map courtesy of University of Texas, Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) press release: "Protecting Afghan civilians: Statement on the conduct of military operations."
mh
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
"Invite The Taleban To Join A Broad-Based National Government In Afghanistan"
The Taleban are taking the war to us, as expected. Right now in Afghanistan, Canadians are likely in the thick of it, marshaling in response to a multi pronged offensive by the Taleban. The Taleban's tactical plan for this year is to attack closer and closer to the capital, while simultaneously attacking strong points everywhere -- towards toppling the government.
"What did he say???"
That's right folks, that's where we are, that's the topic list.
The Taleban are attacking towns as close as 150 miles from Kabul. No road is 'safe' as police stations all over the country are being attacked; forcing the NATO war colossus to operate in a complex, multi faceted manner -- testing the limits of it's advantage.
We have lost the hearts and minds of Afghans by now, I fear. If this continues into the summer, then the war is over -- time to pack up and leave.
June 19, 2007 -- BBC NEWS,
By BBC World Affairs editor, John Simpson
In the far western, Herat Province, May 31, 2007 BBC NEWS,
By Alastair Leithead
Lost that battle.
In the following, the mans question gets to the point - the battle is not to beat the Taleban with military might, it can't be done, but rather to win the hearts and minds of Afghans.
From BBC NEWS story, "Afghan villagers answer your questions"
(My emphasis)
Invite the Taleban to join a broad-based national government, in exchange, NATO could leave. I wonder how the Taleban would react to such a proposal. As we see in Gaza, the fundamentalists don't play well with others... The other choice, for both sides, is endless this.
Building schools has failed I believe, because the tactic falls directly into the scope of the most effective of Taleban tactics -- playing to the fears of men and boys, who's identity is already in an abused state, now challenged by a liberating of women in the law -- while their identifier, farming, remains impossible because irrigation projects 1000's of years in use, remain destroyed from thirty years of war.
Rebuilding and improving the irrigation infrastructure, would employ farmers in their own self interest. They gain back identity in providing for their families, and the Taleban lose a fighter -- progress then would then surely follow.
Irrigation Infrastructure should be the the focus of a re-newed attempt, that is coming soon, to re-build infrastructure. Essential, culturally based infrastructure like the irrigation system --would help Afghans live day to day, and at the same time employ would be fighters at farming, and thus empower the family and local authority against the Taleban.
Information in the form of high quality color coded topographical mapping, and meteorological information would be a great way to interlock with the local economy -- and later as security returns, help NATO influence WHAT is grown with the water.
I fear these are but lost opportunities in the this, other imperial blunder. We have lost so many battles for minds in Afghanistan, and our tactics remain intractable -- that we are now losing this war.
mh
"What did he say???"
That's right folks, that's where we are, that's the topic list.
The Taleban are attacking towns as close as 150 miles from Kabul. No road is 'safe' as police stations all over the country are being attacked; forcing the NATO war colossus to operate in a complex, multi faceted manner -- testing the limits of it's advantage.
We have lost the hearts and minds of Afghans by now, I fear. If this continues into the summer, then the war is over -- time to pack up and leave.
June 19, 2007 -- BBC NEWS,
By BBC World Affairs editor, John Simpson
In the east of the country, around Jalalabad, suicide bombings have become such frequent occurrences that the road from there to Kabul is now known as "the Baghdad road".
In the far western, Herat Province, May 31, 2007 BBC NEWS,
By Alastair Leithead
He described how it was only after the villagers were angered by culturally insensitive house searches that they picked up guns and took on the American military machine.
"When the Americans came the people started fighting them back, and then the planes came and started bombing us. "Even under the Russians we haven't witnessed bombardments like it before."
The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) investigated the accounts and identified that at least 25 of those killed in Shindand were women and children.
Lost that battle.
In the following, the mans question gets to the point - the battle is not to beat the Taleban with military might, it can't be done, but rather to win the hearts and minds of Afghans.
From BBC NEWS story, "Afghan villagers answer your questions"
(My emphasis)
QUESTION: from Farid Mamundzay, Birmingham, UK,
It is often argued that Afghanistan was peaceful during the Taleban rule, and that after their fall, the country has not enjoyed the same level of peace and stability. Do you agree? Do you see the presence of foreign forces important for the future of Afghanistan or should the Taleban be invited to participate in a broad national government?
ANSWER: from, Rahmat Gul:
You are partly right. People did enjoy peace and stability. But Taleban laws were harsh and draconian. Now the laws are within the framework of a democracy and if we implement them we could have more peace and security.
To your second question - I think foreign forces should coordinate their operations with Afghan forces in a bigger way to avoid civilian casualties.
The thing is that if you invite the Taleban to join a broad-based national government, there will be no need for foreign troops in the country at all. It would not be such a bad idea, though I wonder how the Taleban would react to such a proposal.
It would be a good idea to declare an amnesty for all the indigenous Taleban and bring them into the mainstream of politics. The foreign Taleban should be kept out.
Invite the Taleban to join a broad-based national government, in exchange, NATO could leave. I wonder how the Taleban would react to such a proposal. As we see in Gaza, the fundamentalists don't play well with others... The other choice, for both sides, is endless this.
Building schools has failed I believe, because the tactic falls directly into the scope of the most effective of Taleban tactics -- playing to the fears of men and boys, who's identity is already in an abused state, now challenged by a liberating of women in the law -- while their identifier, farming, remains impossible because irrigation projects 1000's of years in use, remain destroyed from thirty years of war.
Rebuilding and improving the irrigation infrastructure, would employ farmers in their own self interest. They gain back identity in providing for their families, and the Taleban lose a fighter -- progress then would then surely follow.
Irrigation Infrastructure should be the the focus of a re-newed attempt, that is coming soon, to re-build infrastructure. Essential, culturally based infrastructure like the irrigation system --would help Afghans live day to day, and at the same time employ would be fighters at farming, and thus empower the family and local authority against the Taleban.
Information in the form of high quality color coded topographical mapping, and meteorological information would be a great way to interlock with the local economy -- and later as security returns, help NATO influence WHAT is grown with the water.
I fear these are but lost opportunities in the this, other imperial blunder. We have lost so many battles for minds in Afghanistan, and our tactics remain intractable -- that we are now losing this war.
mh
UPDATE: "Is The CIA Running Fatah al-Islam Through The Lebanese Police?"
In a previous post I asked the question.
At the end of the piece I wrote:
Joshua Landis published a piece on Sunday on his blog entitled, "Palestine and Lebanon: The US in Quicksand" -- in which he answered my question.
Joshaua Landis sites, the SITE Institute, and their brief entitled "The Rise of Fatah al-Islam" which uses the “2020 Plan,” as back-ground. The "2020 Plan", is a long-term blueprint for success, written by al-Qaeda strategist Saif al-Adel -- or so say his captors. I'll consider it when I see him say it of his own free will.
Landis and the SITE Institute see Fatah al-Islam as a Saudi Arabian projection -- just like al Qaeda, a part of the global jihad -- not a CIA black ops..
The neo-cons salivate every time an apparent justification emerges to invade Syria. I know they can take the city in 18 hours, I'm just wondering why.
I spoke some spin to spin masters -- so just shoot me (just kidding). But, for the record, I like the way Joshua Landis said it better.
mh
At the end of the piece I wrote:
"The question is who's Really running them?
Lebanese Intelligence can get all the Night Vision Goggles they want... If the CIA wants them to. Perhaps all this is part of a plan from the "Empirists" to start a regional war that could resolve the 'Crisis' in Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq, all at once?"
Joshua Landis published a piece on Sunday on his blog entitled, "Palestine and Lebanon: The US in Quicksand" -- in which he answered my question.
From Syria Comment
"Accusations that the Future Movement or the US have supported Fatah Islam are not credible without proof. So too are the accusations that Syria is secretly running the organization."
Joshaua Landis sites, the SITE Institute, and their brief entitled "The Rise of Fatah al-Islam" which uses the “2020 Plan,” as back-ground. The "2020 Plan", is a long-term blueprint for success, written by al-Qaeda strategist Saif al-Adel -- or so say his captors. I'll consider it when I see him say it of his own free will.
Landis and the SITE Institute see Fatah al-Islam as a Saudi Arabian projection -- just like al Qaeda, a part of the global jihad -- not a CIA black ops..
The neo-cons salivate every time an apparent justification emerges to invade Syria. I know they can take the city in 18 hours, I'm just wondering why.
I spoke some spin to spin masters -- so just shoot me (just kidding). But, for the record, I like the way Joshua Landis said it better.
mh
Monday, June 18, 2007
Under My Thumb
I couldn't help it, the tune just kept creeping into my thoughts...
..while I was trying to synthesize the unfolding mess in Israel/Palestine -- and considering the position Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas finds himself in.
He MUST accept any and all aid -- just as surly as he must retake Gaza from Hamas. If he does not act, he is de-facto, not the representative of the Palestinian people any more.
And this tune just kept creeping into my thoughts...
(From The Rolling Stones, Under My Thumb)
Its down to me
The difference in the clothes he wears
Down to me, Abbas has come,
Under Uncle Sam's thumb.
Abbas's enemy, Hamas, is funded by the Mullah's, which act as the social services/tax collection sector in Arabian society.
So now, our dollars supply both sides! Now that's how you run an empire!
A measure 8.7 political earthquake.
After shocks predicted.
mh
..while I was trying to synthesize the unfolding mess in Israel/Palestine -- and considering the position Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas finds himself in.
He MUST accept any and all aid -- just as surly as he must retake Gaza from Hamas. If he does not act, he is de-facto, not the representative of the Palestinian people any more.
And this tune just kept creeping into my thoughts...
(From The Rolling Stones, Under My Thumb)
Its down to meThe lyric I couldn't help humming...
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumb
Its down to me
The difference in the clothes he wears
Down to me, Abbas has come,
Under Uncle Sam's thumb.
Abbas's enemy, Hamas, is funded by the Mullah's, which act as the social services/tax collection sector in Arabian society.
So now, our dollars supply both sides! Now that's how you run an empire!
A measure 8.7 political earthquake.
After shocks predicted.
mh
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Space Station Navigation Computer Hit By Electrical Surge - Space Station Could Spiral To Earth!
When Space Station Astronauts were hooking up a new solar panel on Friday, a static charge surged through the power system from the new solar array and fried the main navigation computer.
Ultimately the station could spiral out of orbit.
The fried Space Station computer controlled the orientation of the station. Attitude control will be the determining factor if they have to abandon ship. If the station begins to roll, inertia could tear it apart. Any roll must be quickly corrected before it effects the astronauts ability to work on solving the computer part of the problem.
Image credit: NASA TV
Oxygen and water supply have had to be jerry-rigged to by pass ruined switches in the computer.
From the BBC
Tonight, I saw on TV, a report the Russians were thinking of launching a rocket, carrying a replacement replica Russian computer.
If they have the time...
NASA, Friday morning statement:
"..options to maintain attitude control..."
I wonder if they should drop trying to fix the computer, and jerry-rig some way to fire the stabilizers.
The get away vehicle is still in orbit with the station, it's scheduled to be there for three more days. NASA's thinking on how to use the shuttles rockets to stabilize the station as well.
Can they take everyone off the station, on one shuttle flight?
Will they have to?
Exciting stuff!
Space.com
mh
Ultimately the station could spiral out of orbit.
The fried Space Station computer controlled the orientation of the station. Attitude control will be the determining factor if they have to abandon ship. If the station begins to roll, inertia could tear it apart. Any roll must be quickly corrected before it effects the astronauts ability to work on solving the computer part of the problem.
Image credit: NASA TV
Oxygen and water supply have had to be jerry-rigged to by pass ruined switches in the computer.
From the BBC
Without the Russian oxygen machine running, the space station has a 56-day supply of oxygen left. "If we are in that position, we have an option to depart," Mr Suffredini (ISS programme manager for the US space agency) said.
Tonight, I saw on TV, a report the Russians were thinking of launching a rocket, carrying a replacement replica Russian computer.
If they have the time...
NASA, Friday morning statement:
Earlier in the day, International Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini told reporters Russian and U.S. flight controllers and engineers are focusing on efforts for recovering the computers and options to maintain attitude control until the problem is resolved.
"..options to maintain attitude control..."
I wonder if they should drop trying to fix the computer, and jerry-rig some way to fire the stabilizers.
The get away vehicle is still in orbit with the station, it's scheduled to be there for three more days. NASA's thinking on how to use the shuttles rockets to stabilize the station as well.
Can they take everyone off the station, on one shuttle flight?
Will they have to?
Exciting stuff!
Space.com
mh
Friday, June 15, 2007
Cosmologys' Standard Model In Crisis: A Solution Could Be 'Propagating Bubbles'
UPDATED July 22, '07 4:44 AM.
A 'bubble' or 'onion' theory of cosmology.
All matter has a field that emanates a continuously expanding series of bubbles (a propagating bubble), each in succession; related to the next, and the one before by a mathematical function - thus creating a linear mathematical quality (a Higgs field) related to all corresponding points of the wave propagation, like sun light - but in all wave lengths.
Thus, a quality is discernible, in the logic, in the form of a wave that is omnipresent in the universe - and thus ties quantum functions to observations of massive objects.
These interactions create new fields that will eventually cause the collapse of the universe. Or, in other words, the tension between all the meshing 'propagating bubbles' in the universe, is the depository of the missing energy in the standard model.
The theory unifies all the forces by conditioning everything to their unique quantum functions as qualities of the propagating field which is universal.
Gravity in this model is effected over distance by these forces; thus gravity it is not instantaneous everywhere. Gravity is an insignificant force over distance, the meshing bubble propagation's, along with gravity, determine how masses behave. (Gravity may be related more closely to spin and orbit, than mass.)
We need to uncover a function that describes this unifying quality of propagating waves, and their associated scalar waves, to get a true picture of deep space. Right now we suffer from a collective astigmatism.
A starting point to correct this vision problem, is to understand the properties that describe the universe, through proximate fields - like the interface of the oceans and the atmosphere, or the solar wind and the magnetosphere - the fields we know best.
We begin by mapping the medium of space, until we can see clearly enough to begin mapping space itself.
That's it. That's my synthesis.
The reading I did today gave me the term 'propagating waves' and 'scalar waves' which allowed me to visualize the thing, and finally write this.
Thanks to 'RB' for the 'scalar' link.
Scalar Waves Source.
Figure this stuff out, and we all get 'hover cars'.
Hover Cars refers to an earlier Cosmology post at FilterBlogs:
edited/mh
A 'bubble' or 'onion' theory of cosmology.
All matter has a field that emanates a continuously expanding series of bubbles (a propagating bubble), each in succession; related to the next, and the one before by a mathematical function - thus creating a linear mathematical quality (a Higgs field) related to all corresponding points of the wave propagation, like sun light - but in all wave lengths.
Thus, a quality is discernible, in the logic, in the form of a wave that is omnipresent in the universe - and thus ties quantum functions to observations of massive objects.
These interactions create new fields that will eventually cause the collapse of the universe. Or, in other words, the tension between all the meshing 'propagating bubbles' in the universe, is the depository of the missing energy in the standard model.
- The Pioneer anomaly is a result of the meshing of the solar propagating bubble and the milky ways' galactic one.
- The irreconcilable measurements we're getting from red shift observations in deep space, are the result of the effects of the meshing of the propagating bubble on some wavelengths, and differently on others.
The theory unifies all the forces by conditioning everything to their unique quantum functions as qualities of the propagating field which is universal.
Gravity in this model is effected over distance by these forces; thus gravity it is not instantaneous everywhere. Gravity is an insignificant force over distance, the meshing bubble propagation's, along with gravity, determine how masses behave. (Gravity may be related more closely to spin and orbit, than mass.)
We need to uncover a function that describes this unifying quality of propagating waves, and their associated scalar waves, to get a true picture of deep space. Right now we suffer from a collective astigmatism.
A starting point to correct this vision problem, is to understand the properties that describe the universe, through proximate fields - like the interface of the oceans and the atmosphere, or the solar wind and the magnetosphere - the fields we know best.
We begin by mapping the medium of space, until we can see clearly enough to begin mapping space itself.
That's it. That's my synthesis.
The reading I did today gave me the term 'propagating waves' and 'scalar waves' which allowed me to visualize the thing, and finally write this.
Thanks to 'RB' for the 'scalar' link.
Scalar Waves Source.
Figure this stuff out, and we all get 'hover cars'.
Hover Cars refers to an earlier Cosmology post at FilterBlogs:
NASA's Themis Rocket Blasting Off To Get Us 'Hover Cars'
edited/mh
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Rogers Blue Jays Telecast From San Fransisco - Already In Progress
"Randy Winn preserves the Giants one run lead by bringing back an Aaron Hill home run to left, a play that would not have been made by Barry Bonds..."
With one out and nobody on, in the top of the second, Rogers SportsNet Ontario joins the Rodgers owned, Toronto Blue Jays at San Fransisco Giants, already in progress.
Probably contractual obligations with the Yankees broadcast they were airing coming up to 10:00 pm eastern, Blue Jays start.
And the Cable Giant owns a Major League Baseball Franchise, why?
Later, in the eighth, Randy Winn preserves the Giants one run lead by bringing back an Aaron Hill home run to left, a play that would not have been made by Barry Bonds who regularly plays there - but who was pinch run for a half inning earlier. Giants coach, Bruce Bochy, (and defensive replacement Winn) probably stole the game with that move.
And, there's Aaron Hill, right in the middle of it, again.
Gibbons managed well enough in this National League park, taking advantage of Inter league play and this west coast swing to shake things up in the batting order - which has been struggling since May.
Royce Clayton got the start at short-stop, and a chance to show what he can do in the lead-off spot. Curtis Thigpen got the start at first and batted sixth. Greg Zaun and Frank Thomas were both asked to pinch hit in the 9th, as Gibbons put veterans in a position to help the team win.
Curtis Thigpen's start at first could be a sign the front office thinks this year is toast. The lack of a first string catcher is this teams leading, Achilles heel. Giving Curtis Thigpen at bats doesn't make sense - with Greg Zaun coming back from injury and the Blue Jays carrying four catchers (also, Jason Phillips and Sal Fasano).
N Lowry had a first rate night for Giants, and he gets the Win (6-5), 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 earned runs, 4 Walks, 5 K's).
A. J. Burnett gets the loss which is fitting, as it was his error (throwing) that lead to the Giants third and winning run.
A.J. left in the fifth with a slightly strained shoulder. Great News for Blue Jays fans (that it's not his Tommy John elbow); one more major injury and this season is a right-off.
As it is we can maintain faith by ignoring a few truths.
A. J. Burnett's line: Loss(5-6), 6 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 EARNED RUNS, 2 Walks, 4 K's.
seo of 3:14 AM post/mh
With one out and nobody on, in the top of the second, Rogers SportsNet Ontario joins the Rodgers owned, Toronto Blue Jays at San Fransisco Giants, already in progress.
Probably contractual obligations with the Yankees broadcast they were airing coming up to 10:00 pm eastern, Blue Jays start.
And the Cable Giant owns a Major League Baseball Franchise, why?
Later, in the eighth, Randy Winn preserves the Giants one run lead by bringing back an Aaron Hill home run to left, a play that would not have been made by Barry Bonds who regularly plays there - but who was pinch run for a half inning earlier. Giants coach, Bruce Bochy, (and defensive replacement Winn) probably stole the game with that move.
And, there's Aaron Hill, right in the middle of it, again.
Gibbons managed well enough in this National League park, taking advantage of Inter league play and this west coast swing to shake things up in the batting order - which has been struggling since May.
Royce Clayton got the start at short-stop, and a chance to show what he can do in the lead-off spot. Curtis Thigpen got the start at first and batted sixth. Greg Zaun and Frank Thomas were both asked to pinch hit in the 9th, as Gibbons put veterans in a position to help the team win.
Curtis Thigpen's start at first could be a sign the front office thinks this year is toast. The lack of a first string catcher is this teams leading, Achilles heel. Giving Curtis Thigpen at bats doesn't make sense - with Greg Zaun coming back from injury and the Blue Jays carrying four catchers (also, Jason Phillips and Sal Fasano).
N Lowry had a first rate night for Giants, and he gets the Win (6-5), 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 earned runs, 4 Walks, 5 K's).
A. J. Burnett gets the loss which is fitting, as it was his error (throwing) that lead to the Giants third and winning run.
A.J. left in the fifth with a slightly strained shoulder. Great News for Blue Jays fans (that it's not his Tommy John elbow); one more major injury and this season is a right-off.
As it is we can maintain faith by ignoring a few truths.
A. J. Burnett's line: Loss(5-6), 6 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 EARNED RUNS, 2 Walks, 4 K's.
seo of 3:14 AM post/mh
Friday, June 8, 2007
We Made Paris Hilton Cry
Images: Yahoo.com
"GOOD! We made her cry."
That IS what we wanted wasn't it?
Here's a different edit of the same photograph - that says something more.
Some tabloid style newspapers ran the top picture, accuracy be dammed. The story became the media rather than the equal enforcement of a judicial order upon a very wealthy young woman with the best lawyers money can buy.
mh
"GOOD! We made her cry."
That IS what we wanted wasn't it?
Here's a different edit of the same photograph - that says something more.
Some tabloid style newspapers ran the top picture, accuracy be dammed. The story became the media rather than the equal enforcement of a judicial order upon a very wealthy young woman with the best lawyers money can buy.
mh
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Raccoon Family Use Stealth Advance Through Resident's Garden
The Raccoon family that live in a hollow tree in the garden - sneak up with military precision to eat our compost and garbage. These critters behavioral adaptation to the urban landscape can drive home-owners crazy, especially when they set up residence in attics, garages or under decks.
I think these Procyon Lotor(Latin) are cute - and interesting.
Luckily for them, a big hollow tree is home - rather than an attic or a chimney, where they might be hurt, or captured.
When Mom and Dad are training the kits (baby's)to scavenge, they march in single file for safety. They move like soldiers on a secret mission.
image
From a remote cam that snaps a picture via motion detection. Notice they're in single file formation.
Quietly sitting in the yard last night, I watched the family cross a fence near the hollow tree. First came mom; smoothly, calmly, she crossed the fence to safety. Then she turned and looks back, at that moment a little one appears out of the darkness and begins to cross. As soon as the first baby raccoon reaches mom, another begins to cross. Like clock-work they all move across, all at the same speed; one... two... three... four... Five little ones! Last comes Dad, walking point at the back, the most vulnerable flank.
It all happens so smoothly and silently, if you weren't watching, you could easily miss it.
Above image: Raccoon Family taking a break - in defensive formation.
Original:05/05/07. SEO edit/mh
I think these Procyon Lotor(Latin) are cute - and interesting.
Luckily for them, a big hollow tree is home - rather than an attic or a chimney, where they might be hurt, or captured.
(image)
From: Common Raccoon - Wikipedea
"The dark patches around the eyes, perhaps the raccoon's most prominent trait, are reminiscent of a "bandit's mask," which has enhanced its reputation for mischief, vandalism, and thievery."
When Mom and Dad are training the kits (baby's)to scavenge, they march in single file for safety. They move like soldiers on a secret mission.
image
From a remote cam that snaps a picture via motion detection. Notice they're in single file formation.Quietly sitting in the yard last night, I watched the family cross a fence near the hollow tree. First came mom; smoothly, calmly, she crossed the fence to safety. Then she turned and looks back, at that moment a little one appears out of the darkness and begins to cross. As soon as the first baby raccoon reaches mom, another begins to cross. Like clock-work they all move across, all at the same speed; one... two... three... four... Five little ones! Last comes Dad, walking point at the back, the most vulnerable flank.
It all happens so smoothly and silently, if you weren't watching, you could easily miss it.
Above image: Raccoon Family taking a break - in defensive formation.
Original:05/05/07. SEO edit/mh
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