Exit The Cave

Iran Raises Voting Age - Stop the Vote!

2007-01-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

What's the easiest way to ensure that your messianic, spit-in-the-face-of-the-West, Armageddon-hungry, Holocaust denying yet longing-to-carry-one-out President does not suffer another humiliating defeat in local elections and is no longer threatened by freedom-seeking youth? Stop the Vote.

Iran

has raised its voting age from 15-18. 15 quiet young, you think? Let's not forget that our Islamist friends used to send children in suicide waves by the thousands to fight the Iraqis back in the 80's.

Is the regime being precautious - afraid of this voting block? I'm curious what the respect-other-cultures and celebrate-them-with-acceptance lefties would say to this one. The right to vote? or Acceptance? The right to vote (i.e. democratic rights)? or non-intervention? Democratic rights for people in the Middle East -oops! or .... You get the point.

Action with Iran

2007-01-11T02:56:00.000-08:00

In the last few minutes we've learned that there have been several loud and powerful explosions in Southern Iran in the Khuzestan province, heavily populated by Arabs. The U.S. army has raided an Iranian government representative office in Iraq and made several arrests. The IDF has found several RPGs along the Northern border with Lebanon.

All this hours after U.S. President George W. Bush outlines his new plan for success in Iraq and at the same time that IAEA inspectors are in Iran.

These events may have no direct corrilation to one another, but let's not forget that last summer's Lebanon war was initiated by Hezbollah, Iran's proxy, on the day that the UN was to begin dealing with Iran's deadline and that the party behind the majority of unrest in the Middle East today is Iran.

US Airstrikes in Somalia

2007-01-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

Finally, the U.S. is hitting A.Q. in Somalia. Understandably, the U.S. has been hesitant to get involved in Somalia. What? Isn't A.Q. running wild with those gat-chewing, gun-toating Somalis who managed to murder 18 U.S. soldiers? And yes, those soldiers, in Somalia under international mandate were murdered, not to mention butchered.

I argued a while back that Somalia was a pink elephant. No one wanted to get near it. In the end, Ethiopia couldn't risk the elephant backing up into its backward so it went in to take care of the problem. This doesn't mean the problem is taken care of. Let's not forget that the Taliban fell relatively quickly but some of them are still around and kicking.

What this strike does do is show that yes, Virginia, there is another front in the Global War on Terror (i.e. WWIII) and it's in Africa. So, we have terrorists running around North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Russia, the Caucuses, the Asiatic islands, Indonesia, etc...that's a nice world map right there.

Way to go, Mr. Bush, for hitting A.Q. wherever they are. If only there weren't a handful of countries fighting this fight.

Will CAIR ever Care? Don't Hold Your Breath

2006-12-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

I came across this on the website for CAIR, the Council for American Islamic Relations (I thought that Muslims of America were both - I guess they are Muslims and the rest are infedel Americans). In the entire statement, as listed on CAIR's site, not one acknowledgement of the Holocaust was made - neither the extent nor its consequences. There is only "disappointment" with Iran - not outrage; not condemnation; not disassociation and calls for sanctions. But that would be too much, wouldn't it - to expect Muslims to condemn Muslims - but aren't they supposed to be Americans?

Here's what appeared:

CAIR in the News
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
CAIR-CA: Iran Disappoints with Conference

Source: Sacramento Bee

Click here to view full text ...

CAIR-CA: IRAN DISAPPOINTS WITH CONFERENCE

Re "Defiling history: Iran showcases Holocaust deniers," Dec. 14: As a Muslim American and on behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Sacramento Valley, I'm terribly disappointed that the government of Iran hosted a conference where many of the invited guests were known Holocaust deniers.

Regardless of the attempt to provoke American and Israeli sentiments for the minimization of Arab suffering in the Middle East, minimizing and denying the suffering of Jews during World War II is not only painful, but dangerous. It also goes against the Quran's injunction on Muslims to stand up for justice, even if it is against themselves (4:135).

If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants to make a political statement about Iraq, Palestine or even Zionism, let him do so without falling into something that the Quran warned about "O you who believe! Be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is aware of what you do" (5:8).

-- Dina El-Nakhal, Davis

Back and Vindicated

2006-12-24T22:51:00.000-08:00

Hello all. Sorry for my quick departure a few months back. I have returned now and will try to update often.

I woke up this morning to find out that Ethiopia had sent fighters in from the sky to bomb Islamist positions in Somalia (Ethiopia claims they are backed by Eritrea).

If you all remember, more than 5 months ago I was claiming that the Islamists in Somalia would force another war. And today, appearing in the Washington Post, appeared the title: "target=_blank"Somalia Islamists Should be Stopped
If you look through my archives you'll find plenty on Somalia - the question now is "will anyone do anything about it?".

If it becomes a full-out war engulfing the entire Horn of Africa, the first step will be a complete no-go zone for unauthorized ships. But who will patrol? The Saudis? Indians? Americans? Eventually sides will have to be picked. Iran/Hezbollah will continue training Somali terrorists, who will pose a threat to European/American interests, especially if the US starts backing the Ethiopians. Another great worry - materials moving through Somalia - and on to other destinations.

Like I said, I believe, eventually, Americans will be in Somalia again. This is what happens when you cut and run to save polls. This is what happens when the UN is entrusted with a country as geopolitically important and unstable as Somalia.

Remember: I called it 5 months ago. I'm telling you this...the story will get bigger and so will the threat to the rest of the world.

Chalk one up for the Islamists.

Red Dawn of War

2006-08-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Growing up I could (and still can) watch Red Dawn over and over again. For any of you who are either too young to remember the Cold War or for some reason unbeknownst to G-d haven’t seen the greatest movie ever made, it’s about the fight of a bunch of high school kids against the invading forces of Soviet-Latin American soldiers in the U.S - WWIII. As a little kid, pre-Red Dawn, I remember playing in the playground, seeing the white line of a passenger jet and running with the other kids in mock preparation for the Russian invasion. Growing up in the Cold War offered a sense of right and wrong, good and evil. The kids in Red Dawn were fighting evil, defending their homes and families. Yes, they were guerillas, but that’s not important. It’s the message.

So of course my world of right and wrong disappeared one day back in August, 1991. Then there was only right, and subsequently only self. But then I found myself in Israel – and I rediscovered what is worth fighting for and where I belong. This last war was especially difficult to watch, having friends fighting while you sit at home because you haven’t been called up. It is now even more difficult when, the day after the cease-fire takes effect and Hezbollah says it will not disarm and we don’t do anything about it, our Minister of Defense talks about talking with Palestinians, it is revealed that the Chief of Staff was at the bank selling stocks 3 hours after two soldiers were kidnapped on the day fighting broke out up north, another minister is indicted and yet another is under investigation. All the while, over 100 boys (and one girl) in uniform have fallen. Our goals were not achieved. Syria and Iran openly warn Israel not to try anything, or face more hostilities.

This war did not turn out well for us. It has hurt our deterrent power. We have seen disorganization and failure of leadership on the military and political levels. More than anything some Israelis are having trouble in continuing to believe. Don’t get me wrong. I do. But you hear things.

Which brings me back to Red Dawn. There was no political echelon in Red Dawn directing the movements of the American freedom fighters. There was a will that would not die. There was knowing what had to be done and doing it. There was purpose. This we have in Israel, and no matter what the situation of our political establishment or military or anything else, this we will always have. For now, we should be getting for the next round. It’s coming. Soon.

Wolverines!

Photo Source: http://victoryatseaonline.com/war/reddawn.html

Possible Fox Kidnapping in Gaza

2006-08-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Haaretz online is reporting that witnesses have said two Fox journalists in Gaza have been kidnapped.

Remeber that Islamist War I've Been Warning Everyone About?

2006-08-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Lebanon, Afghanistan, Israel, Chechnya, Philippines, Indonesia, Somalia, Iraq, US......

From SomaliaNet:

Ethiopian troops to fight Islamists in Somalia Beledwein town
Mon. August 14, 2006 10:15 am.
Mohamed Abdi Farah

(SomaliNet) Large number of Ethiopian troops were reported to have occupied on Monday settlements of Hiran region in west of Somalia bordering with Ethiopia to help the defeated warlords back the country. Confirmed reports say.

Around 30 battle wagons and heavily armed troops from Ethiopia came this morning in Kala-Beyrka and Jawil districts near Beledwiene town, 335 km west of the Somalia capital Mogadishu, local witness told Somalinet.

Reports say the Ethiopian troops were accompanied by militia loyal to former ousted leaders in the region who want t recapture Beledweine town.

“We are in state of shock because of the Ethiopian occupation in our land,” one of the residents said.

The fear is mounting among the residents over the deployment of Ethiopian troops there and it is much likely to clash with militia of Islamic Courts.

“We have ordered our fighters to get all alert to fight Ethiopian troops if they try to enter the town,” One of Islamic commanders said “we will defeat the Ethiopians and its puppets and make them regret Insha-Allah,”

Sources close to former defeated Beledwein governor say the Ethiopian troops are determined to reach Beledwein town and capture it and will hand over to pervious authority.

It is the largest movements by Ethiopian troops this time to be closer to Beledwein town, with residents worry that they will be caught by gunfire.

Local elders and intellectuals appealed both rival sides in the region to refrain from any action that might lead more bloodshed and disaster and solve any conflict through peaceful means.

Saturday's Death Toll Hits 24

2006-08-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

24 IDF Soldiers were killed Saturday, bringing the total soldier death toll for the war to over 100.

Dan Halutz says he does not fear a post-war investigation of the conduct of the war. There will be an investigation. So many Israelis, for so long, were saying that a bigger ground invasion was necessary. That it was done just before the cease-fire (which is worse for Israel the more I learn about it) will be a part of any investigation.

My question regarding the investigation: will it be limited to the military or will the executive's decision-making process be questioned, specifically will the Prime Minister and Defense Minister be called upon to explain their conduct of the war? In my opinion, any investigation lacking the executive (including the entire security cabinet) will not be sufficient.

11 IDF Troops KIA, Chopper Shot Down - Cease Fire Deal Reached

2006-08-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

I obviously have much to say regarding the deal reached at the UN and expected to be approved by the security cabinet here in Israel.

For now, I will simply say that it is not, and Nasrallah has admitted this, an end to the war between Hezbollah and Israel. I am understandably skeptical about any deal where the UN is supposed to face off with Hezbollah.

It's late and I'm tired. I'll try to write about this more tomorrow.

Mobius the Non-Pluralist Intolerant

2006-08-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

I wrote this a few days ago and, after posting it, quickly saved it as a draft in order to allow Mobius and his lackies time to process comments. I allowed. Time passed. Comments - specifically alternative views - were submitted but were apparently not deemed worthy. I do not fit in with most of what goes up on JewSchool. Here are a few examples of how I don't fit in:

1. I am not a conformist.
2. I don't hate people.
3. I don't toe the Soros/Sheehan line.
4. I think.
5. I know that certain values are not Jewish - and I'm comfortable with that.
6. I'm proud of Israel.
7. I do not take into consideration the politics of a comment that is posted on my site.
8. I enjoy and encourage free speech.
9. I enjoy and encourage the exchange of alternative views.
10. I'm not a hypocrite.

That being said, I've given Mobius a new name - Mobius the Non-Pluralist Intolerant - you know, like Alexander the Great, etc. I gave him this name becasue I've tried to leave about six or seven comments on JewSchool, but to no avail. My comments have all been intellectual in nature and, yes, DO attack positions taken by Mobius and his friend John Brown.

I've put up all of Mobius's comments on my site. Perhaps that's because I enjoy and encourage exchanges of ideas and coming to conclusions of truth.

It's easy to hide the truth when you don't allow others to comment, isn't it, Mobius?

UN Policy Closer to Resulting in New Islamist Terror State

2006-08-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

The UN policy regarding Somalia is failing. Correction: The UN policy regarding Somalia will create a new Islamist state in the Horn of Africa. That is a failure, a loss, for the powers of freedom fighting this new world war. The UN will be happy so long as a cease-fire can be reached.

While the world watches (and tries to stop) Israel fighting terrorists, Somalia is being forgotten. Somalia will become a new HUB for terror. The US was in Somalia once. After a few Blackhawks went down and soldiers bodies were dragged through the streets and mutilated (an apparent custom in Muslim countries) they left. They'll be back, because no one else has the will to fight. From UPI

The simmering stand-off between the weak Transitional Federal Government and the Islamic Courts that control the capital, Mogadishu, could lapse into renewed fighting, paving the way for jihadist forces that may include al-Qaida, an International Crisis Group report released Thursday warns.

The TFG, based in Baidoa, some 150 miles away from the restive capital, must broaden its base by reaching out to moderate elements of the Islamic Courts and other influential leaders to get the lawless East African country back on track, Crisis Group said. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991.

Cindy Sheehan Attacks Israel Again

2006-08-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

Cindy Sheehan is dangerous. She's dangerous because her rhetoric has been brought into the mainstream by those who are taking over the Democratic Party from practical and realistic thinkers and setting new agendas. We can see this in Senator Joe Liberman's defeat at the polls last night.

I am addressing Sheehan's attack on Israel, whose military operates with some of the highest codes of conduct of any army - ever. Sheehan asserts that Israel is massacring Lebanese and Palestinians. Semantics are important here. Is a massacre just that because of the number killed or because of intent or both? The word is thrown around with such ease that it has nearly lost any and all meaning. She wrote on Michael Moore's website (big surprise here) that

What Israel is doing in Lebanon by killing hundreds of innocent civilians in a relatively short period of time is like the US defending itself from the tens of thousands of innocent babies, women and children in Iraq. It is morally reprehensible and just an extension of BushCo's campaign to enrich the voracious war profiteers.

This is where I should have stopped reading. If Sheehan really believes that Israel is simply an extension of "BushCo's" campaign, that Israel has no will of its own, that Israel does not act in the interest of Jews surrounded by a sea of hostile Muslims who wish to kill them, then the real problem lay in how many people support her.

Sheehan has referred to our efforts to stop terrorists as

barbaric Israeli attacks. Tyre is one city and we viewed the mass grave days ago. Tyre and the rest of the country are being relentlessly bombed for the sins of a few which is a crime against humanity.

Apparently Sheehan is a judge and jury as well. It's amazing how many people, who have not studied law, are experts in the area of war crimes.

Sheehan says

I mourn for the murders of the Israeli people, which are just as tragic (but not more tragic) and done just as barbarically (but not more barbarically) as the murders that Israel is committing in this needless violence...

Really Cindy? Do you mourn? How? By sitting shiva for seven days for each Israeli killed? You don't mourn us, Cindy. You do not have that right. We don't need you to mourn us.

Oh, and Cindy, you may want to get your facts straight.

What our media and some world leaders seem to expediently forget is that Israel massacred an entire family on a beach in Lebanon with a rocket and kidnapped two Palestinian citizens before Hezbollah and Hamas kidnapped some Israeli soldiers.

The incident you're describing with a rocket and a beach in Lebanon - never happened. You're thinking of a Palestinian family who was killed by either old, unexploded ordanance or by terrorist explosives either hidden in the beach. Please refresh my memory - which two Palestinian citizens are being referred to?

Annan Watch

2006-08-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

So I haven't heard from Kofi in a few days. I don't know if he shut up after alleging that Israel had deliberately killed UN soldiers or if the media simply stopped taking the man seriously. He does head the UN, after all. How serious can we take him. Still, he sets agendas. And here's why he's back in the Cave.

Kofi's going on now about international law. Where was Kofi's sense of international law during Rwanda? During Bosnia? During Sudan - today! Where was Kofi's outrage when a couple of Arabs blew up themselves and everyone around them on the pedestrian mall, at Sbaros, on the buses, at Moment, at Felafel HaTemeni, on the 19, 14, 6, at the hitchiking post on French Hill, at Hebrew U, at the Dolphinarium, on Jaffa St. when they opened fire? I could keep going. It's all from memory, and you don't forget those things. From Haaretz:

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annanhas said Israel's shelling of the Lebanese village of Qana appears to fit a pattern of violations of international law marking warfare between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas, said on Monday.

In a report to the UN Security Council, Annan said a comprehensive investigation was needed to gather evidence of possible violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws affecting both Lebanese and Israeli civilians during the conflict.

"The attack should be seen in the broader context of what could be, based on preliminary information available to the United Nations, including eyewitness accounts, a pattern of violations of international law ... committed during the course of the current hostilities," he said.

By the way, I heard a great idea last night on one of the networks. I believe it was Fox. Move the UN to Haiti. Make them in charge of it. See how that goes.

Every day the UN proves its impotence more and more. Doing more damage than good,
the UN's time has come. It needs to be reshaped with sharper teeth and more power to discipline rogue states and actors. When the head of the UN meets Arafat, Nasrallah and Saddam, something's wrong.

Photo source:http://www.israel-wat.com/kofi.jpg

Somali Cabinet Dissolved

2006-08-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Reuters reported that the cabinet of the interim (U.N.-backed) Somali government has been dissolved. Somalia is facing Islamist threat, with an Islamist takeover meaning the possible creation of another Taliban-like haven for terrorists.

BAIDOA, Somalia (Reuters) - Somalia's interim cabinet has been dissolved and a new one will be appointed within a week, President Abdullahi Yusuf said on Monday.
"The bloated cabinet of (Prime Minister) Ali Mohamed Gedi's government did not do anything during its tenure," Yusuf told parliament. "From today onwards, the government has been dissolved, only the prime minister will remain."

If Diplomacy Stalls (and hopefully it will) Israel Will Step Up Attacks

2006-08-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Jerusalem Post online reports that

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Monday he has ordered the army to step up the offensive against Hizbullah rocket launching sites in Lebanon if the diplomatic process remains inconclusive.
Speaking to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Peretz said in the absence of a diplomatic agreement, he has instructed the army to "take control" of launching sites "wherever they are to minimize the fire of Katyasha rockets and take the Israeli people out of the shelters."

Israel should have been stepping up attacks and advancing into Lebanon some time ago. Restraint in this war is costing lives of Israeli soldiers and civilians. An enemy who does not value life and hides amongst civilians with the hope that children will be killed during retalitory strikes must be destroyed. If he is allowed to fester at all he will strike back later and harder.

Jew School, Lending Aid to the Enemy

2006-08-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

I was at some friends for Shabbat and we were discussing different streams of Judaism (I don't like referring to streams as such - Judaism is Judaism) and somehow a site called JewSchool came up. I checked it out and was surprised to find support for the enemy and lack of rational thought.

The first post I noticed was a simple reprint, either by or taken from John Brown, of an article from the UK Guardian (known to be not friendly to Israel, to say the least). I went to John Brown's site, News from Babylon, and realized I would have been very pleased were I a hater of Jews or the United States. Back to the article. Its republication without any commentary lends one to calculate one of two options: 1) JewSchool endoreses or encourages the article's assessment or 2) JewSchool does not endorse with it. It's impossible to know, of course. My concern lay in Jews, or others, coming to JewSchool for information and believing that the article that appears in the Guardian is accurate and symbolic of a larger problem in the Israeli military.

The next article to catch my eye was "Could Olmert be Leading Irael Down the Road of Self-Destruction". This is another John Brown post. Here, JewSchool posts a qualification of terror, when Hezbollah is referred to, in quotes, as a "terrorist organization". I agree that there are legitimate concerns as to whether we will attain our objectives in this war, but the tone taken in this article clearly encourages the perspective that things will be worse because of Israel's actions as-to-date (which have been very restrained). Beginning with a qualification of Hezbollah only discredits the author.

Finally, a post by Mobius, whose site defines himself as an anarchist, displays demagogic behavior with his accusation of hate-mongoring by commenters. Mobius's notion of derech eretz is relative to his own belief of how the world should be. Hating one's enemy, hating those who wish to destroy all Jews alive, is not in conflict with derech eretz. It seems to me that Mobius's notion that all hatred is wrong prohibits him from seeing the attempts to destroy the Jewish State (and Jews) as such. I would also suggest that Mobius's intolerance for those espousing views contrary to his, in a manner counter to his approval, may be in conflict with his own "hate-free zone", though that point is debatable.

JewSchool is Jewish, at least regarding its politics regarding our right to fight for our survival, in name only. It's unfortunate that people may be turning to this site as a source of information. It's even worse that our enemies may gain comfort in its posts.

15 Dead, over 100 Injured

2006-08-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

12 reserve soldiers were killed by a direct hit from a katushya rocket today.

Long-range missiles fired from the Lebanese city of Tyre hit Haifa and killed 3, injuring over 100.

Hezbollah is escalating the conflict on the day that the UN is working on a draft ceasefire resolution.

Syrian foreign minister hopes to fight in the resistance. The Jerusalem Post online reported that

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem crossed into Lebanon Sunday for the first visit by a top Syrian official in more than a year, Lebanon's state news agency said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Fawzi Salloukh, Moallem said "Syria is ready for the possibility of a regional war if the Israeli aggression continues."
He added that a US-French draft resolution to end the war "adopted Israel's point of view only." Underlining his support for Hizbullah, Moallem said, "as Syria's foreign minister I hope to be a soldier in the resistance.

To All Those Condemning Israel:

2006-08-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Watch and You'll Understand Why Civilian Houses are Hit - It's the Terrorists, Stupid

Reuters Doctors Photo

2006-08-06T11:24:00.002-07:00

The Jerusalem Post reported that Reuters had doctored a photograph of the aftermath of a strike in Beirut. Read the article:

Reuters news agency admitted on Sunday that it had digitally altered a photograph of an Israeli attack on Lebanon on Saturday, showing more smoke than was actually present.

The photograph, as initially published, showed an aerial view of Beirut after an IAF attack, with two large pillars of smoke rising over the city. The caption read: Smoke billows from burning buildings destroyed during an overnight Israeli air raid on Beirut's suburbs.

I found the following at StikNstein:

ALTERING OF THEIR IMAGES”
Saturday Reuters posted this image (taken by their photographer Adnan Hajj) of the destruction of the Beruit suburbs. It has clearly been PHOTO SHOPPED to make it more dramatic. The image and story is here at Little Green Footballs.

photoshop technique called cloning.

Death Threats to Blםgger Sent from Reuters Network

2006-08-06T03:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this story on Ynet:

A Reuters employee has been suspended after sending a death threat to an American blogger.

The message, sent from a Reuters internet account, read: "I look forward to the day when you pigs get your throats cut."

What About the Day After, Syria and Iran

2006-08-05T22:43:00.000-07:00

A lot of talk and excitement since last night...the French and Americans have come to agreement and written a draft UN cease-fireproposal for Israel's northern front of the War on Terror. Already Israel is dropping its demand for an immediate replacement of UNIFL. The Lebanon government is not willing to agree to the proposed initiative (as if it has any say in Hezbollahstan). This isn't how I usually write, but it fits the blogosphere, so I'll make a few quick points.

1)Cease-fires are very bad things when agreed upon prematurely. I'm tired of calls for peace (for the sake of not seeing pictures on television anymore). We're all lucky that those on the American left weren't around when we had to fight Nazis.

2) Any cease-fire previous to the decimation Hezbollah's military capacity will be a mistake. The same applies for any cease-fire without the unconditional release of the two kidnapped Israeli prisoners. Now, I'm realistic about this. I understand how things work here and know that we will most likely have to give up terrorist prisoners for them. We need to let them know that if they even look at a picture of Nasrallah or any other terrorist leader or think about reengaging Israel they will be killed.

3) Who will be securing Lebanon's border with Syria? Who will be securing its waters? I don't trust the Lebanese to do it, not after the support offered Hezbollah from within the government.

4) Will the UN demand anything of Syria and Iran? Whatever the UN does, it doesn't matter. Hezbollah must not be rearmed. The next Iranian nuke deadline could provide a great opportunity for the Iranians to order Hezbollah to fire a few more missiles into Israel and jumpstart the war.

5) All of this will be replayed, refought, unless the U.S. and others take on Iran - soon. Not taking on Iran and/or a premature exit from Iraq will mean more, and more horrible, war later.

6) No aid should be granted Lebanon until Hezbollah is removed from the government and all known associates are prohibited from engaging in political life. The Lebanese educational system must be under non-UN, international, U.S.-led supervision to ensure that it does not become a Palestinian-like, hate-filled curriculum that encourages the creation of new terrorists.

If there is a cease-fire terrorists around the globe will only be encouraged. At least we'll have some time to make the bomb shelters a bit more comfortable before the next round.

Israel May be Offered F-22, Iran Admits to Supplying Hezbollah and other ME News

2006-08-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

The news is moving fast...so here are a few important points of note.

1) The House of Representatives has lifted a 9 year ban on the sale of the F22 outside the U.S. Recognition of the Lebanon front as part of the Global War on Terror(ists) (read about British PM Tony Blair's comments in L.A.) may pave the way for Israel to receive the best fighter jet in the world. Israel is clearly an ally of those willing to fight the threat facing civilized nations. Ynet news Israel reported today that

The United States may supply Israel with the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the world the F22 Raptor considering the war in Lebanon and the Iranian threat, the Israeli security establishment has assessed.

2) Israeli commandos were on the ground deep into Lebanon, in Tyre, just after 3 a.m. Israel time. The commandos were sent in to take down Hezbollah terrorists. The commando raid was conducted, rather than an air raid, in order to avoid civilian casualties. The troops achieveded objectives and neutralized targets, in-and-out in two hours.

3) The Jerusalem Post online edition reported today that Iran has admitted to supplying Hezbollah with missiles.

Iran admitted for the first time on Friday that it did indeed supply long-range Zelzal-2 missiles to Hizbullah.
Secretary-general of the "Intifada conference" Mohtashami Pur told an Iranian newspaper that Iran transferred the missiles so that they could be used to defend Lebanon, (Israel) Channel 1 reported.

4) A top Saudi cleric today disavowed Hezbollah and decreed that victory for the terrorist organization should not be prayed for. The Jerusalem Post online reported that

Hizbullah, which translates as "the party of God," is actually "the party of the devil," said Sheik Safar al-Hawali, whose radical views made the al-Qaida leader one of his followers in the past.
"Don't pray for Hizbullah," he said in the fatwa posted on his Web site.
The edict, which reflects the historical stand of strict Wahhabi doctrine viewing Shi'ite Muslims as heretics, follows a similar fatwa from another popular Saudi cleric Sheik Abdullah bin Jibreen two weeks into the conflict with Israel.

New 9/11 Audio

2006-08-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm not a regular of Vanity Fair, but this is worth a visit. I don't believe in cover-up conspiracies. People were at war and didn't know it. Not all information can be released in time of war.

9/11 Live: The NORAD Tapes
How did the U.S. Air Force respond on 9/11? Could it have shot down United 93, as conspiracy theorists claim? Obtaining 30 hours of never-before-released tapes from the control room of NORAD's Northeast headquarters, the author reconstructs the chaotic military history of that day—and the Pentagon's apparent attempt to cover it up. VF.com exclusive: Hear excerpts from the September 11 NORAD tapes. Click PLAY after each transcript to listen
By MICHAEL BRONNER

Audio NORAD tapes can be heard at the site.

Michael's Funeral

2006-08-03T22:28:00.002-07:00

I went to Michael Levine's, z''l funeral yesterday. Michael was killed while fighting in Lebanon. I never met Michael, but someone very close to me was close to him; DZ and I went to the funeral to pay our respects and support our friend. There were so many people; it was so quiet. As the honor guard carried Michael's flag-draped casket up the stairs, I watched quietly. I heard sobs and saw Michael's friends embracing each other.

Several people spoke about him. They say that he was the kind of guy that makes friends with everyone, had a smile that was mentioned over and over again and longed to be in Israel - a true lover of the Israeli people. Michael was on leave in Pennsylvania visiting his family when fighting broke out up North. He cut his visit short in order to return to his unit.

His family arrived in Israel and accompanied him to his resting place on Har Hertzel. Michael, it was said at the funeral, will be a soldier forever. For us, yes. Let's hope that he's now resting peacefully with all the others who over the millennia have died sanctifying His name.

Photo courtesy of flickr.

Quote of the Day

2006-08-03T04:55:00.000-07:00

Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate cease-fire must be implemented.

- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the 10th Islamic Conference in Malaysia.

Quote and Photo Source: The Jerusalem Post

Islamist Somalia

2006-08-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

Four more minsters of the UN-backed Somali government have resigned. I am now revising my prediction of another Islamofascist war-to-be. If this trend continues, the government may simply disappear do to a lack of UN or any other intervention, allowing for a peaceful transfer of power!

The Washington Post moved the story up four pages, from A22 to A18. I can see the A1 story now: "Somalia Taken Over by Islamic Rebels" (what a surprise).

If Only they Would Wait a Few Minutes Before Condemning Us

2006-08-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

From the Jerusalem Post online:

On Wednesday, both the Lebanese Health Ministry and the Human Rights Watch said that they could confirm only 28 of the originally reported 57 civilians who died in the building. Of the 28 that they confirmed, 16 were children.

The IDF inquiry into the Kana incident in which civilians were killed as a building collapsed released its final conclusions Thursday morning.
Two missiles, the only one of which exploded, hit the building on July 30. The army said that they had operated according to information that "the building was not inhabited by civilians and was being used as a hiding place for terrorists." Had they known that civilians were in the building, the attack would not have been carried out.
The IDF spokesperson noted that the building had been targeted only after residents had been warned to evacuate through various media, and that the building was adjacent to areas from which rockets had been launched towards Israel. Other buildings in the area had been targeted with no civilian casualties

Jews (U.S.) Helping Jews (Israel)

2006-08-03T02:34:00.000-07:00

I have been told by several friends in the States that great efforts are being undertaken to raise money to help Jews in Israel who have been kept underground for weeks, injured by terror missiles and fighting in war.

Thank you.

While others around the world are condemning Israel, burning (U.S. and Israeli) flags and calling for another Holocaust, Jews with the financial ability to help are not investing in hate, rather in hope. As I have always said, Jews are one people, regardless of borders. Our unity is not perfect, but our solidarity with one another is beyond measure. What a wonderful people.

Somalia

2006-08-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

CNN cable international just listed Somalia in a segment on global conflicts. As you know, I've been warning of the deteriorating situation there and the threat posed by Islamists (who, if successful, will establish a base for terror in the Horn of Africa). Some 30 legislators resigned due to the failure of the Somali government to come to an accord with Somali Islamists. Independent Online (a new source to me) reported that

The administration was formed two years ago with the support of the United Nations to help Somalia emerge from more than a decade of anarchy, but it has no power outside its base in Baidoa, 250km from the capital, Mogadishu.

I'd be curious what support the administration has received from the UN. Has the UN been assisting the administration in battling Islamists? Or shall I assume that the UN wants to talk?

Originally from Philly, American/Israeli Soldier Falls in Lebanon

2006-08-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

The following text is from The Jerusalem Post.

Originally from Philadelphia, Michael Levine, 21, had been living in Jerusalem for the past five months. He made aliya as a lone soldier when he was 18 and lived on Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi before enlisting in the army.

"Michael was visiting his parents in the US when fighting erupted up north. He decided to cut his vacation short and come back to join his platoon," Tziki Aud, head of the Jewish Agency's information center for new immigrants, told The Jerusalem Post.

One of Michael's friends recalled a phone conversation he had with him about a week ago.

"I'm not worried about dying. I'm worried about what it would do to my family," the friend quoted Michael as saying.

At first, he was given duties on the home front. "Michael fought this decision. He wanted to go up to Lebanon. He got his wish, as we all know now all too well," Aud said.

The article in full can be read on The Jerusalem Post online site. Photo orginally from Israel Channel 10, accompanies the Jerusalem post article.

Know Anything About Hezbollah?

2006-08-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

I received this from a loyal reader in Washington, D.C. Please!!!! Watch the video at the link below before reading...

http://media.a7.org/a7radio/misc/video/06/qana.wmv.

Soon, you will learn, if you haven't already, that there was an 8 hour gap between the time that the IAF took out a rocket-launching site and the time housing at that site collapsed, the one you've been reading or hearing about, killing many noncombatants, including children.

You probably already know that well in advance of the time the site was taken out, all residents were advised by Israel to absent themselves from the area because it was going to be attacked.

I've been trying to find, in vain, evidence of any

instances when the UN or any country asked Hizbullah to exercise proportional restraint when attacking Israel, either over the years or recently, and take precautions that its attacks on Israel not be aimed at civilian areas;
instances when Lebanon asked the UN or any country to help it enforce compliance with the September 2, 2004 UN Resolution 1559, which, among other things, required Hizbullah to rid itself of its weaponry;
instances where the UN made any effort to enforce 1559;
instances where the UN observers who manned posts in south Lebanon reported that rockets, any of the thousands of them, were being delivered to Hizbullah; or
instances where the UN instructed Iran and Syria not to participate in the delivery of weaponry to Hizbullah, either before or after its Resolution 1559.

If you can send me a link to a site that shows any of these bulleted items to have occurred, I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

Julian Tepper

Responses may be emailed to: exitthecave@gmail.com

From DZ

2006-08-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

When one looks at this picture at a quick glance, one sees a group of soldiers getting ready for a fight in Lebanon; war faces on, guns in the air, magazines in... ready to go. If you look behind them you can see homes. These homes are homes of Israelis living in Metulla. Israelis that have lived in constant fear of midnight terror excursions(which have happened) into their quiet and ironically peaceful farming village which is on world wide and UN recognized Israeli proper. No battle is unjust if you look behind yourself and see your families attempting to live in peace.

This is one of the reasons why we can never let down our guard, because our families are only one hill behind us. What other democratic counties in the world can say that?
Picture from Walla.

2006-07-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

I'll be very busy today, but will post later. Please keep checking in.

Fighting the Fight....Together

2006-07-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

I can't get over how many people are making these videos. Keep 'em coming. I found this one here.

A Beautiful People

2006-07-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the Prime Minister speak on television; speaking about our strength, that we will not stop fighting, that we will not lose this war; that we are not a people that persecutes, rather a people of moral value; and that we are a people united, a beautiful people.

I have never in my life felt such unity as I have felt in the last few weeks. The Jewish people in Israel truly are united. We know that this threat is against us all. Our brothers and sisters are being bombed daily by terrorists who lack the simple ability to value human life. Israel is truly a difficult place sometimes. But difficult is not bad. It builds character. It permits for perspective and understanding.

We have always been and will always be one people, regardless of borders and oceans. Feeling absolute unity with that people, here in the land which our forefathers lived in thousands of years ago is something nearly beyond description. I am only sorry that it takes war for us to unite so. But that's what family does.

Somalia: Getting Some Press, Finally

2006-07-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

I've been talking about this war-to-be for a while. It's finally starting to get a little more attention. Star News Online, the Voice of Southeastern North Carolina, ran an interesting article/op-ed. I disagree with the conclusions at the end (I still hold that the UN is ineffective and no one should talk to Islamists).

It has been observed that when the world's policemen are distracted by front-page conflicts, minor tyrants seize the opportunity to go on rampages. Thus, while news cameras dwell on the latest carnage in Israel and Lebanon, Somalia may be collapsing into a terrorist haven comparable to Afghanistan under the Taliban.

The rest of it can be found here.

2006-07-31T01:01:00.000-07:00

Rich, Isn't It Rich, put this up and I had to post it. From Cox and Forum Editorial Cartoons.

The Danger of an Immediate Cease-Fire: Victory for Terror

2006-07-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

Surprise, surprise. All it took was a sign of weakness on our part, and the world is running with it. That's what a cease-fire is in the Middle East, at least before the war has been fought and won - a sign of weakness. Hezbollah, Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad, A.Q. and all the others aren't interested in political settlements. Any and all political settlements with any of those groups is simply, in their minds, a "phased" solution, temporary, which allows time to acheive their ultimate goal: the destruction of Israel, the United States and Western civilization.

What will happen if this international force being spoken of deploys in southern Lebanon and is engaged by Hezbollah; soldiers are kidnapped by Hezbollah. What will happen if Hezbollah launches rockets from deeper behind the line, behind the international force? Will this force fight Hezbollah? Will the UN fight Hezbollah?

This is what Secretary Rice said, according to the Jerusalem Post (and after Israel's temporary halt to air attacks, this is why I'm concerned for chances of success in this war)

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a statement on Monday morning in which she welcomed the halt in aerial attacks, urging a "lasting settlement" in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel through a UN Security Council resolution this week.
According to Rice, the deal should include the deployment of an international armed force in southern Lebanon under the control and in conjunction with the Lebanese Armed Forces; the disarmament of terrorist groups; and the deployment of LAF on the Syrian border so as to prevent the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups from that country.
"I am convinced that only by achieving both will the Lebanese people be able to control their country and their future, and the people of Israel finally be able to live free of attack from terrorist groups in Lebanon," Rice told reporters before departing for Washington.

Will Hezbollah be destroyed? Will it remain in the Lebanese government (or take it over)? Will it eventually acheive power through the continued terrorizing of Lebanon's citizens? But why ask questions when we can have a cease-fire.

Thank goodness there was no UN back in the 30's and 40's, when there were ideology wars and people believed in things. If there had been, perhaps there would have been a cease-fire after Hilter took Paris.

V-E Day? V-J Day? Still waiting for V-T Day, someday.

Lebanese Plea for Help from Hezbollah Terror

2006-07-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

I found this on another blog, and went back to the The Ouwet Front. This site has first-hand accounts of Hezbollah's cowardly use and abuse of civilians.

The situation in Ain Ebel is unbearable. Thousands of civilians have fled to the village from nearby villages and more than 1000 rockets have hit the village, there is no more food neither clean water and diseases r spreading.

Now here comes the most sickening part:
Hezbollah has been firing rockets from the village since Day 1 hiding behind innocent people’s places and even CHURCHES. No one is allowed to argue with the Hezbollah gunmen who wont hesitate to shoot you and i ve heard about more than one shooting incident including young men from the village and Hezbollah.

Urgent appeals have been done through phone calls from terrified people who wouldnt give out their name fearing Hezbollah might harm or even eliminate them.

This is the true image of our brave Islamic Resistance, putting the civilians and their homes as body shields to the Israeli bombardements.

Let the message spread and let those criminals move out of the village once and for all.
Free Ain Ebel from the terrorists !

And Let's Not Forget the South

2006-07-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

From Haaretz:

Palestinians in Gaza fired a barrage of five Qassam rockets at Israeli communities in the western Negev on Monday morning.

One of the rockets slammed into the roof of the kibbutz dining hall, causing damage but no casualties.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

2006-07-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq has demanded an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Jerusalem Post reports that

Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric on Sunday demanded an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, warning that the Muslim world would "not forgive" nations that stand in the way of a stop to the fighting.

Palestinians Attacking UN in Gaza - Will Annan Condemn This?

2006-07-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Fox cable TV news reports that Palestinians are attacking the UN compound in central Gaza. Palestinian police are now protecting the area. Lebanese supporters of Hezbollah today attacked the UN in Lebanon.

Does Mr. Annan have anything to say about this?

Nasrallah - Why Doesn't the FBI Want Him?

2006-07-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hezbollah is designated a terrorist organization by the United States. The FBI is keeping tabs on and watching out for Hezbollah cells in the U.S. The Washington Post (credit for photo) reported in 2004 that

Al Qaeda, the (9/11) commission determined, may even have played a "yet unknown role" in aiding Hezbollah militants in the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers complex in Saudi Arabia, an attack the United States has long blamed solely on Hezbollah and its Iranian sponsors.

So why isn't Nasrallah listed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists page?

Rep. Jim Cooper Owes Israel an Apology

2006-07-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper, Democrat from Tennessee, in an interview on Sunday, July 30, on Cable TV news, referred to the 100+ rockets falling on Israel day after day as nothing more than large "firecrackers". The Congressman owes the people of Israel, who have been sitting in bomb shelters for weeks, and the families of those killed by ball-bearing filled weapons aimed at civilian targets, an apology - a public apology.

Any readers from Tennessee or with friends/family there are encouraged to send demands for an apology to the congressman's office through his website at: http://cooper.house.gov/. I don't believe his reaction would be the same were the rockets falling on Nashville.

US Warns Somalia's Neighbors

2006-07-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Somalia situation is now being covered in The Washington Post (though on A22), which is reporting that the U.S. is warning Somalia's neighbors to stay out of the internal conflict. t troops to back the interim government and that Eritrea has given weapons to an Islamic militia that controls the capital.

Neither the interim government nor the Islamic militia "can take the high ground by saying the other is violating Somali sovereignty," she said.

"They've all invited in foreigners, all been backed by foreign forces."

Apparently, the Islamists are being treated as equals with the internationally recognized government. It would appear that the U.S. is trying to avoid a three-state-Islamist conflict in the Horn of Africa. Unfortunately, Islamists are being treated with equal regard. The tinder box is starting to smoke.......

The DZ Zone: Two in the Bush-Warfare and Tactics Part I

2006-07-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

Resident Expert and Lebanon War I Veteran DZ Discusses Bush Guerilla Warfare

The Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon lasted for more than 18 years. Thousands of infantry soldiers have set their feet in the Lebanese mud, and a bit fewer left it alive. For some reason, only around 1995 did the IDF start to change the style of warfare and training for operational tours in Lebanon for infantry. After years of experience, good and bad, the training was directed to a rare type of close-quarter-bush-contact. With the creation of a few special IDF units that “mastered” this type of warfare, the knowledge of “ Lochema b’Shetach Savuch” (bush land warfare) trickled its way down to the regular infantry units serving in

Lebanon

at the time; Golani, Givati, Paratroopers, and Nahal.

A good friend of mine had been sent out of my unit to open the “School of Bush Warfare” in Israel, and I wanted to learn everything he knew. I followed him around on weekends when he visited people from all the units that exist and don’t exist in the IDF to pick their brains. I was introduced to an extremely eccentric old man who told me things like; what the Hezbollah ate before going out into the field and why they can smell our farts, why you shouldn’t smile at night when there is a full moon. War is an interdisciplinary subject.

The Bush

The “bush” as we call it, has warfare techniques of all types of including open-range, trenches, urban and CQB. The type of bushes most found in the Southern Lebanese areas is usually around 1-2 meters tall, very prickly and hard to see through. Although one cannot physically pass through one of these bushes, it offers no protection against bullets or shrapnel, something that one very quickly learns in firefights in these conditions. One’s movement in this type of landscape is not flexible; there are always areas that one must pass to get from point A to point B, and that is where an ambush occurs. If one knows the territory, then it is possible to avoid these areas, but to know a bush setting is like knowing a Hedge Maze. Since it is nearly impossible to know the territory, one can only learn how to identify these areas and pass through them with utmost caution and cover.

The biggest threats in the bush are short-range shoot-outs of less than 10 meters and IEDs (mastered by Hezbollah and adopted by our American friends’ enemies in Iraq). To protect yourself from being noticed first you must learn how to move without being heard or seen. This is an integral part of the training and is unique to bush and jungle warfare. A soldier has to know how to walk on the sides of his boots and not to step on branches. He has to know what not to eat the day before battle as not to attract animals or even be smelt from far away by a nasally competent enemy. He has to know how to paint his face, neck, hands and gun to become invisible when needed. I saw soldiers that were going in for bush warfare that painted their face but not around the eyes, neck or lips. This actually accentuates the human features of the face, the thing that sticks out in the bush, and gets you shot first. I understand if the painting was more for morale but many underestimate the importance of proper and complete camouflage in this type of arena. I will not go into the all of the ways a soldier can blend in, for security reasons.

Next time I will discuss IEDs in the bush, team movement, and S2F techniques (Shit to Fan).

Until then, talk quietly and carry a big stick, preferably one with a number like 16.

Hezbollah-Israel War Made Simple

2006-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

It's a good, 2 1/2 minute explanation of the current war. Thanks to Shimshon9 (www.shimshon9.com) for bringing this to my attention.

Great song too; but as they said in the movie Jarhead, "This is Vietnam music....Can't we get our own music?" Whatever. I grew up on those movies. It works for me.

Iran Possibly Backing Somali Islamists

2006-07-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

The Houston Chronicle (credit for inserted photo) reports accusations by the Somali government that Iran, Egypt and Lybia are shipping arms to Somali Islamists.

Iran....aren't they backing Hamas, Hezbollah and Iraqi terrorists, too?

BAIDOA, Somalia — Somalia's prime minister charged Saturday that Egypt, Libya and Iran are arming the Islamic militants who challenge his rule, lengthening the list of countries accused of fueling this country's political chaos.

Reuters reported:

The shooting of Constitution and Federalism Minister Abdallah Deerow Isaq as he left Friday prayers in a Baidoa mosque triggered riots and heightened fears of a slide to all-out conflict in the violence-plagued Horn of Africa nation.

Hamas Video Translated - What Peace???

2006-07-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

People are often filled with rays of hope and speak with enthusiasm when talks of "cease-fires" or "hudnas" begin.

The video above shows why fighting terror must never stop, why cease-fires must be withdrawn from the current lexicon and what it is that the enemy truly wants.

We thank The Middle East Media Research Institute for translating the texts of this vidoe.

A Call To Arms

2006-07-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

An invitation to U.S. Servicemen and Women to Help Spread the Truth

Exit The Cave (www.exitthecave.com) is about spreading the truth - helping people exit their proverbial caves and realize why Osama and Nasrallah are in theirs (sometimes literally). Understanding that the fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Gaza, Chechnya, Somalia and places all over the world are, in fact, the same fight.

I've been hearing in the last few days that there are Americans who support the fight in Israel yet at the same time are against the fight in Iraq. This is quite disturbing, and this is why I'm asking for your help.

The Cave has contributors who are past and reserve members of the IDF, but we know that there's nothing like hearing from one's own. For that reason I'm asking for U.S. marines, sailors, soldiers, pilots, airmen, etc. to email us (exitthecave@gmail.com) with your thoughts, stories, opinion, analysis and anything else you may like to write.

I will try to post two such letters a day, and up to four or five on Fridays.

Please include (when security allows) your name, rank, hometown and station, if possible.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping others understand why we need to support all troops fighting. "Never stop fighting 'till the fight is done."
- Elliot Ness, The Untouchables
Picture Source: AllPosters

Hmmmm

2006-07-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Source: http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/images/18-09annanS.jpg

Congressional Israel Allies Caucus Launched

2006-07-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

News From
DAVE WELDON
Florida's 15th District -- Serving Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, and Polk Counties

Congressional Leaders Announce
Formation of New Congressional Caucus

"Congressional

Israel

Allies Caucus"

Press Conference: Thursday, July 27, at 3pm, RHOB 2358

WASHINGTON, DC... Reps. Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-FL), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Trent Franks (R- AZ) will announce the formation of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus at a press conference tomorrow afternoon at 3pm in Rayburn House Office Building 2358.

The announcement comes as Israel continues to face international pressure to agree to a premature ceasefire as it confronts terrorist threats from Hezbollah and Hamas.
Below is a brief description of the Caucus' purpose:

Israel receives tremendous support from numerous Christian groups and denominations in the United State and around the world. Acknowledging this, on January 5, 2004, a Christian Allies Caucus was formed in the Israeli Knesset, Israel's parliamentary assembly. Its mission is to develop lines of communication between Knesset members and many of these Christian groups that support Israel’s right to exist and prosper within safe and secure borders.

The Congressional Israel Allies Caucus is America's response to that initiative. We intend to join with the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and the other caucuses in legislatures around the world to support Israel's right to live in peace within safe and secure borders and to promote the Judeo-Christians values upon which western civilization was built.

Weldon and Engel will co-chair the caucus.

# # #

Send an IDF Soldier a Message

2006-07-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

Clicking on the link below will take you to a site that allows you to send a message of support to an IDF soldier.

Every message is delivered with chocolate.

Click here and show them you care.

Fallen Boys

2006-07-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

These boys, z''l, fell yesterday in Lebanon.
picturesource:http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743535.htm

Nasrallah meeting Iran Nuke Man in Syria

2006-07-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

The Jerusalem Post reports that Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was taken to Syria by Syrian intelligence.

He is scheduled to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani and perhaps with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Can't Learn this in College - Our Heroic Defenders of Freedom and Life

2006-07-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

Defenders of freedom don't enjoy the freedom of time to organize protests against those who fight terror. They're young, honorable patriots who think of their people and country first. The following are incredible words of inspiration given by a commander to his 19 year-old soldiers, most only 8 months in the army, some of whom have been in Gaza, and are now going into Lebanon. Excerpts are from an article appearing in Haaretz.

"It's our turn now," said Captain Ori Lavie. "It's our turn to protect the border. And we'll carry out any mission we need to, against any force, in the best way possible. If we don't, we have no right to exist."

"We will not lose this war. We did not start it, but it's our duty to protect the Jewish nation and see to it that the residents of Metula and Haifa can live in peace. If we don't do it, no one will. We waited 2,000 years for our own state, and we won't fold because a group of terrorists think that they can scare us."

"Someone who cannot protect his freedom does not deserve it...When missiles and rockets land on all the northern cities and reach Haifa, and when two of our soldiers have been kidnapped and ten have been killed and dozens have been wounded - this is no time to talk, it's time to fight. From the moment we cross the border, you must be super alert, super sharp. We are threatened from every side. Each of you is responsible for his comrades."

"Everyone here must be alert and do everything possible to spot the terrorist first," Lavie told them. "We must be the ones to open fire first, we must surprise them, not the other way around. Everyone is responsible for his own life, the life of his comrade and all our lives. We're all in the same boat."

"I've been in the army for six years, and have never had as much confidence as I have in this company," said Lavie. "You've proved yourselves more than once, not only in fighting. We did well in training, we did well in Gaza, we'll do well now. There is no better company than this one. You are lions. No one will kill terrorists like this company."

Cell Phones and Terror War

2006-07-27T03:56:00.000-07:00

How does a military, fighting terrorists who embed themselves aomngst civilians, keep civilian causalties to a minimum? Easy. Make a phone call. According to the Jerusalem Post, the IDF is calling Palestinians in Gaza and warning them to stay away from terrorist houses and other infrastructures. It's simple. A call comes through with a recorded warning. A few hours later the terrorist house is blown up. Can't say they didn't warn you.

Smokey the Bear vs. Nasrallah

2006-07-27T01:49:00.000-07:00

The DZ Zone
Contributing Columnist "DZ" (Who Fought Hezbollah Back in the Day) Reminds Us that "Only You Can Stop Forest Fires"

Because of the complexity of any and all situations in the Middle East, I found it important to have a way to explain the situation to others who have no knowledge in a simple and fast way. I thought I would pass it on so that you, the intelligent truth seekers, will have another way to pass on the information to those who don’t know what’s going on.

My explanation of the current situation in Lebanon is as follows:

Forest fires are a natural phenomenon. They happen naturally and are a way for Mother Nature to clear out the old, dead biomass that collects on the forest floor, thus allowing new, stronger life, who use the nutrients of previous generations to grow out of the ashes. When firefighters appeared on the scene in order to protect solely human interests, this natural act was not allowed to go full course, leaving more flammable biomass on the forest floor every year that passes. The original fire would only burn the small weeds and bush on the ground and would allow the larger more successful trees to flourish with more resources from the ground. As time goes by, without this natural cleansing operation by Mother Nature, the amount of biomass becomes dangerous and when unleashed it is unstoppable until it burns completely out. This time it takes the big trees with it, leaving only destruction and black scorched fields in its path.

Now take out “Forest fire” and change it with “war”. Change “firefighters” to “UN”. Change “biomass” to “Hezbollah”. It may be a bit Darwinian, but it more or less works.

In 18 years of occupation in Lebanon (2.5 of which I was an occupier) the brush fires were allowed to burn in skirmishes between IDF forces and Hezbollah or Am’al, another Iranian-backed terrorist organization, established in 1975. In the last years of the occupation more fires were put out by the UN or other international or internal “firefighters”. This allowed the build-up of flammable biomass, a dangerous situation that threatens everything in its path.

When we left Lebanon in 2000 in order to relieve ourselves from even the brushfires, we forgot one thing: that the biomass is already in place and it has to burn sometime, and the longer we wait, the hotter the fire; sometimes hotter than one can handle, even for the “firefighters”.

We now look back and see that our mistake was in not allowing the whole forest to burn, to rid itself of all biomass, before we left. We looked back then and saw “firefighters” with blue helmets and felt that we were in good hands.

So now the 6 years of biomass has collected and turned itself into a refined flammable liquid. The formidable death squads of Hezbollah have been on a 6 year training break while the IDF reshaped its strategy to urban warfare, such as the type engaged in by the IDF in Operation Defensive Shield. The last of the IDF “Lebanon Generation” has been out of the army for 5 years, and there is too much for the officers and veterans to teach the urban warriors of today. A mass reserve call-up of Lebanon veterans will be a less painful way to push the Hezbollah at least to the Litani River. The biomass now has the ability to spit fire to what was once thought as unattainable distances, Haifa, Tiberius, and likely Netanya and Tel Aviv. Everyone I know has been affected by the situation and the repercussions of the damage we will only know in the end. One third of the population has been paralyzed, and robbed. The situation is unacceptable, and we are starting to smell the smoke here in the center of Israel. Smoke makes us sneeze here and when we sneeze, people die.

Lebanon is burning and it will for a while, and we need to make sure it burns until there is no more biomass left.

We hope to control the fire or at least direct it. But it may spread east (Syria), and east of east (Iran). It all depends how much biomass has built up there, and from what I have heard, they are knee-deep in it. Meanwhile in Dahiyye, Herat Hreik, el-Hiam or Bint Jbail, we must use the fan.

But it all must burn, all of it.

No firefighters, no morning dew to dowse the flames, no hope of shifting winds - just fire.

Smokey the Bear doesn’t have a work permit in the Middle East.

Hezbollah's Sense of Humor

2006-07-27T00:53:00.000-07:00

This is too much. From a Hezbollah web site.

We don't seek the application of Islam by force or violence but by peaceful political action, which gives the opportunity for the majority in any society to adopt or rejectit. If Islam becomes the choice of the majority then we will apply it, if not, we will continue to coexist and discuss till we reach correct beliefs.

We hereby affirm that our Islam rejects violence as a method to gain Power, and this should be the formula for the nonislamists as well.

Iran Daily Threatens More Surprises

2006-07-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

The Iran Daily, an English-language publication, has published a "perspective" piece by Mohammad Reza Erfanian which is worthy of note for two reasons.

1) The piece suggests three times the existence further and as-of-yet unused weapons in Hezbollah's arsenal.

At a time when Hezbollah has shown only a part of its military prowess in confronting Tel Aviv's deadly military machine, Zionist premier, Ehud Olmert and Shimon Perez are showing signs of frustration and possibly fear.

Unlike Tel Aviv, which has started a dangerous war and save for nuclear weapons used all its offensive military might, Hezbollah has made known only a part of its ability yet managed to cripple the Zionists.

Even if a ceasefire takes hold, few doubt Israel will be able to bully and intimidate the popular resistance group again. Colossal damage has been done to the Zionists and Hezbollah says the worse is still to come.

Israeli Defense Forces have found Iranian weaponry in Southern Lebanon. Iran is a known supporter of Hezbollah.

2) Not only Israel is cited, but its "bankrollers" in the U.S. and Europe are also mentioned.

Israel's bankrollers in Washington, Berlin, Paris and London, only to name a few, are working hard for disarming Hezbollah sooner rather than later and pushing it further away from southern Lebanon and the border with Israel.

The Israel-Hezbollah War is about much more than Israel and Hezbollah. This war is the first pain of a coming international crisis. The need to deal with Iran is not an Israeli one alone. It is one the world must face toegther.

Giving up the Farm

2006-07-26T23:29:00.000-07:00

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that the U.S. would like Israel to open discussions with Syria over the Shaba farms, territory disputed by Syria and Israel which is often used as a pretext by Hezbollah for attacking Israel.

Regarding the day after the fighting, however, one component to emerge from Rice's meetings here Tuesday was a feeling among the Americans that eventually getting to a "cessation of hostilities" will entail both Israel and Lebanon - Lebanon, not Hezbollah - being able to point to some kind of victory. In this formula, Israel's victory would clearly be a roundly defeated Hezbollah pushed back from the northern border. For the Lebanese, a victory could be an Israeli withdrawal from Mount Dov, and a massive international aid package.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saniora, at a press conference yesterday in Rome, made several "demands" that must be met for a cease fire to work. Saniora demanded release of prisoners, the production of military maps and the release of "occupied territories".

Allowing Lebanon, after Saniora's demands have been made, to in any way claim victory in this war will ecncourage terror similar to that of Hezbollah in the future. The people of Lebanon must know that this war was a result of terror against Israel, based from their country. They must not profit from it in any way. Syria must profit from it in no way. There is only one way out of this war: destroying Hezbollah.

Anything short of this, anything suggesting victory for Hezbollah, the Lebanese or the Syrians, will prove another form of appeasement.

The US and Israel: Fighting Together

2006-07-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

SGT

In November, 2001, I was in New York. I remember walking down the street and seeing a fire truck, American flag proudly waving. I stopped and said to one of the fireman, "I just got here from Jerusalem. We're all with you." He smiled and thanked me.

The other day I saw video of fire trucks up north racing to the site of a missile attack with large Israeli flags proudly waving. But this isn't 9/11. This is worse. This is Al Qaeda shooting at Manhattan from Queens.

Today we lost 9 boys. Dozens of others have been injured. We were told tonight by our Prime Minister that this will not last months. My response to that statement: I don't care how long it lasts, just get it done. But I'm not in a shelter. I did spend my share of years in Jerusalem while bombs were going off all the time. Buses, pizza shops, open malls and any other type of public arena were all targeted. I lost count of the number I heard. I can still see the horrible sights if I think about the bombings to which I was witness. So maybe I do have a say.

I know that if we stop before we're done, if we do not eradicate Hezbollah, defeat it to the point that it no longer poses a threat to Israel's Northern communities, we will not only face them again later, we will lose deterrent power. Israel is facing the same problem the U.S. is facing in Iraq. But there really is no problem. Defeating the enemy is the only solution.

People have been told again and again that this war, this Global War on Terror, will take years, tens of years. The world, reluctant to accept that there are things worth fighting and dying for, is fighting us. Calls today by Kofi Annan, the Italian Foreign Minister and Lebanese Prime Minister for an immediate cease fire (on the part of Israel, since they did not once name Hezbollah) nearly overshadowed the brave stance of the United States' Secretary Rice.

Israel and the U.S. are two lights unto the nations. Together they must continue to fight. Together they must not give in to the calls for surrender. If either goes, the other will too.

This fight is ours together.

Somalia Update

2006-07-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

The U.S. is pressing Somalia's neighbor's not to interfere with its domestic affairs. The administration, as reported by VOA News, is pressing for the interim government and Islamists to commit to talks.

Arms to Somali Islamists - More War on the Way

2006-07-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

Arms shipments to Islamists in Somalia have been reported by the Houston Chronicle. Another Islamist-government war in the making. Where's the UN? Perhaps the idea of a no-fly zone should be entertained.

A spokesman for the country's official government, based 150 miles northwest of Mogadishu, said the plane was carrying land mines, bombs and long-range guns from Eritrea for a militia loyal to the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, the group that controls Mogadishu.

UPDATE: Rome Conference on Israel-Hezbollah War

2006-07-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

International leaders met in Rome and discussed the Israel-Hezbollah war. Hezbollah was not mentioned specifically by name in official statements, but came up later in questions.

There was no consensus among the leaders, who included Lebanese Prime Minister Seniora, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema and US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

The Italian FM called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Kofi Annan stressed the need for humanitarian aid and an immediate cease fire. The Lebanese Prime Minister stressed Israel's role in the "occupation" of territories and insinuated that Israel used the kidnapping of its soldiers as an excuse for a pre-planned invasion and re-occupation of Lebanon.

Only US Secretary of State Rice stressed the need for a cease fire that will NOT create a return to the status quo.

Kofi Annan, answering a question about his accusation that Israel deliberately attacked the UNIFL forces, qualified his statement with the word "apparent" but stressed that all UN locations were known to Israeli forces, an insulation that Israel knew what it was doing. He was also asked if his accusations affect his abilities as an honest peace-broker, but did not answer that question.

As well, the Lebanese Prime Minister made certain demands for a cease fire, including the release of prisoners, military maps from Israel and the relinquishing of "occupied territory".

These demands were not challenged by any of those calling for an unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities.

Israel-Hezbollah War: Heavy Fighting in Bint Jbail

2006-07-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

The IDF has sustained casualties in intense fighting -some of it close-quarter-combat - with Hezbollah terrorists in the village of Bint Jbail in Lebanon.

Israel Channel 2 reports 20 injured soldiers have arrived in a Haifa hospital for treatment. It also reports the possibility of more reserve call-ups. The danger in calling up more reserves lay in Syria's assumption that such a move would mean preparation for war with Syria - thus existentially escalating the chance for a broader war. Syrian military forces have been put on a higher state of alert. Syria has Iranian and Russian-made missiles and rockets in its stockpiles, as well as tanks, apc's and an air force.

According the the CIA World Factbook:

Syrian available manpower: males age 18-49: 4,356,413 females age 18-49: 4,123,339 (2005 est.)
Syrian manpower fit for service: males age 18-49: 3,453,888
females age 18-49: 3,421,558 (2005 est.)

Extensive information on the Syrian military is available at GlobalSecurity.org.

As of 2003 Syria had a combined total of several hundred Scud and SS-21 SRBMs [short-range ballistic missiles], and is believed to have chemical warheads available for a portion of its Scud missile force. Syria's missiles are mobile and can reach much of Israel from positions near their peacetime garrisons and portions of Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey from launch sites well within the country.

Video that Must be Seen! Amazing Rebuke of Islamic Terror by Arab-American on Aljazeera

2006-07-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ben for alerting me to this great video.

Dr. Wafa Sultan, a naturalized Arab-American, in a February interview, demonstrated bravery of the highest order.

Dr. Sultan, on Aljazeera, rebuked Muslim society for a "mentality that belongs to the Middle Ages" and for being "primitive". Citing terror and violence, she attacked the endorsement of such behavior. She has since received death threats.

In an interview with the New York Times she said that

"Knowledge has released me from this backward thinking. Somebody has to help free the Muslim people from these wrong beliefs."

The article also states that

Shortly after the broadcast, clerics in Syria denounced her as an infidel. One said she had done Islam more damage than the Danish cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad, a wire service reported.

View what she said on Aljazeera on i film. Dr. Sultan writes for Annaqed (The Critic). I strongly recommend that everyone take a look at Annaqed. The bravery of its authors is commendable. Alan Caruba's article, "The Fate of Lebanon and the Rest of Us" pertains to what is now happening in Lebanon.

Annaqed states on its homepage that it does not allow the use of its material without permission. I have requested this right. Hopefully they will grant it and I will be able to bring you more from Annaqed in the future.

Annan Watch

2006-07-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has referred to the killing of three (and what will most likely be four) UN personnel by an Israeli air strike as deliberate. Annan made this statement before any investigation had been carried out. Israeli reaction was quick and as one would expect: an apology for the accident and a vow to investigate what had happened.

So why does Annan rush to judgment? Allow me to point out two reasons. First, Annan is fishing. He's desperate. He wants to create a ceasefire so that a) Israel will not be able to destroy Hezbollah and so thatb) the "New Middle East", as described by U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice will not come into being.

Apparently, Annan likes the Middle East of Old. Annan's rush for a cease fire may be the result of misunderstanding his role. Ensuring quiet (which is quite different from Peace), Chamberlin-style, is not the same as ensuring peace. Promoting moral equivalency does not make people of the world more equal. It gives terrorists more footing.

A few days ago a UNIFL soldier in Southern Lebanon was shot and wounded. He was rushed to an Israeli hospital for treatment. I didn't hear anything from Annan about that one. Did any of you?

Photo source: http://focusonjerusalem.com/annan.jpg
Photo source:http://www.israel-wat.com/kofi.jpg

War Can't Stop the Economy

2006-07-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

HP is buying Israeli software company Mercury for a price 33% higher than market value, at $4.5 Billion. The sale marks the second-highest acquisition of an Israeli company ever, the highest for the Israeli high-tech sector.

Coming Soon

2006-07-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

An Israeli in Haifa will soon be sharing her thoughts and comments on living under rockets with Exit The Cave.

Check up with us soon.

Angry Annan

2006-07-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

UN Secretary General is reported by Fox News as being very angry that four UN soldiers were killed in a recent Israeli airstrike.

There is no reason for those soldiers to be in Lebanon. They are being unecessarily exposed to danger. The press is all over the place, for those who believe someone needs to be there to protect civilians. Wait a second...since when hasUNIFL protected civilians?

Update: Somalia Situation

2006-07-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Another Islamist-Government War in the Making

Apparently, Somali Islamists have ruled out peace talks with the government only hours after the transitional government agreed to them. The point of dispute: Ethiopian troops, said to be inside Somalia. The government denies their presence, though witnesses claim otherwise. Ethiopians and Islamists based in Somalia have fought in the past. Check out Aljazeera English (in now way an endorsment of Aljazeera's anti-West rhetoric), or the Houston Chronicle.

UPDATE: Israel-Hezbollah War

2006-07-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

1:30 AM, Israel

Shepard Smith of Fox News reports that Nasrallah is now saying Hezbollah will strike deeper into Israel. It is known that Hezbollah has been supplied with long-range missiles. It was reported yesterday that a long-range missile was launched and hit the Mediterranean Sea.

Senator Russ Feingold Urges Condmnation, but NOT the Destruction of, Terrorist Groups

2006-07-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin made a statement regarding the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Unfortunately, he failed to call for the destruction of terrorist groups. Senator Feingold urged state-sponsors of terrorism (without referring to them as such) to condemn the actions of terrorists (without referring to them as such) which block the peace process (which has not existed for a number of years - arguably since 2000). From the Senator's website:

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Hezbollah Attacks on Israel

July 14, 2006

“I stand firmly with the people of Israel and their government as they defend themselves against these outrageous attacks. The kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and missile attacks against Israeli citizens are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. The first steps toward establishing peace must begin with the unconditional and immediate return of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Lebanon, Syria, Iran and countries throughout the region must also condemn the actions of Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups committed to blocking the peace process and must take strong actions to return stability to the region immediately.”

If the Senator has made a statement calling on the destruction of Hezbollah, Hamas and other organizations I would be happy to see it. I will post any statement the Senator has made endorsing their destruction.

Living in a Country at War - Away from the Rockets

2006-07-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Greg Tepper

I've lived here long enough and seen enough news to know what happens when there's a terror attack. The names of all those murdered are listed on the TV. Families and friends talk about them and funerals are shown. It gets you down. But the next day you go back to work, back to school.

This is the first time I've lived in a country at war in the traditional sense, while this is by no means a traditional war. I hear that 20-some soldiers have been killed. This many civilians have been killed. But that's not where my attention is. It's with the war. It's with the living in Haifa, Safed, Kiryat Shmona and all other places in the north. People are under attacks by terrorists down South as well, where rockets are continuing to fall from Gaza. But no one is there to report it (save for Dana Lewis), so they don't make sounds.

I'm wondering what it will be like afterwards. How will we mourn those who have been killed? How will those who have been living underground for weeks, and will for weeks, suddenly go back to normal.

I don't know how. We just do it. I did it in Jerusalem while people were blowing themselves up for years. I lost count of the number of them I heard. Too many friends were injured. But we did it. We got up and did what we had to do the next day. We also started going out again. Having fun again.

But, like I said, this is different. I don't know what to expect. I do know this: today a plane of Jews from France landed in Israel, making aliyah, becoming citizens. The kissed the ground without trepidation and smiled and sang.

We Jews, we people chased for millennia, can not stop smiling. This I have learned thus far while living in a country at war. I've heard the bombs. Now they're hearing and feeling the bombs. At one point or another, all Jews feel the bombs. But we smile and kiss the ground and dance and sing when we get home.

There's nothing better than living at home, with your family - no matter how bad the war gets. It's our war. We'll fight it. And we'll smile and dance and sing.

Why the Somalia Updates?

2006-07-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

I've been asked why I'm updating the Somalia situation. It's quite simple. The War on Terror is global. Fighting is taking place and terror being planned on all continents. I update the Somali situation because of the lack of coverage it is receiving. If Somalia falls completely to Islamists, and international organizations are removed, future war will be all but assured with a country that will become Talibanesque in its demeanor and support for Al Qaeda. The Horn of Africa is an extremely important strategic location. Unfortunately, too many are in the cave and don't understand that we must fight the fight wherever global security is threatened.

Disagree? Post your comment.

Progress in Israel-Hezbollah War

2006-07-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Shepard Smith of Fox News has just reported progress along the Israel-Lebanon border in the fight against Hezbollah terrorists. Terrorists are being squeezed. The fight will take more time.

He also reported that there are reports coming out of Lebanon that Hezbollah did not expect Israel to react this way after the kidnapping and murder (my words) of soldiers (yes, I repeat, they were murdered in an unprovoked attack across an international boarder).

They obviously perceived Israel as weak or weakened. Terrorists can not be shown weakness. It only encourages more terror.

A 15 year old girl from a Druze villiage was murdered today by a Hezbollah rocket.

UPDATE: Peace Talks in Somalia - Victory for Islamists - The UN at Work

2006-07-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Reuters is reporting that the Somali Interim Government has agreed to peace talks with Islamist rebels - with no preconditions. The UN is about to assist in achieving for Somalia what is desired by so many for Israel - failure. Israel, however, is strong enough to demand conditions and refuse to negotiate a ceasefire with terrorists. The U.S. understands the need to fight terror. It seems that while one battle in the Global War is being fought - and will hopefully be won - another is about to be lost. Terrorists see concessions as weakness and small victories on the way to a larger glorious Islamic world. The U.S. has fought in Somalia before. It appears it may have to again in the future. Excerpts from Reuters:

"We will go to Khartoum without any preconditions," said Abdirizak Adam, interim President Abdullahi Yusuf's chief of staff, after talks with a senior U.N. envoy in the government's base in the provincial town of Baidoa.
From their stronghold in the capital, the Islamists said they were committed to talks, adding that their delegates were in Khartoum waiting for government representatives.

"We are still committed to a negotiated settlement with the TFG (transitional federal government)," the statement said.

Spy Games - Cyber-Style

2006-07-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

Know where a Hezbollah terrorist is? Want to be a patriot?

Harry showed this site to me and I thought it was pretty interesting. Ever think of helping the cause? Note the Request at the end:

For your own safety, please contact us from places where no one knows you.

There are so many fronts in this war it never ceases to amaze me.

Why the UN Won't and Can't Keep the Peace in Lebanon

2006-07-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

The calls and clamor of the likes of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, French President Jacques Chirac and U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinch, who called on President Bush to implement an immediate ceasefire, are lacking either rational thought or a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground, at best. At worst, major political leaders are willing to sacrifice the Jewish State for the price of oil or in the name of hatred. Kucinich himself called upon Bush

"to appeal to all sides in the current crisis in the Middle East for an immediate cessation of violence and to commit United States diplomats to multi-party negotiations with no preconditions." (Dennis Kucinich: Insight and Action Home Page)

An immediate cessation of violence means a unilateral ceasefire on the part of Israel alone or UN recognition of a rogue terrorist organization running a mini-state. Either way, without solving the cause of the problem - by eradicating terrorism - further and worse violence is simply a matter of time away. It took six years with Hezbollah. It took months with Hamas.

Eye on the UN reveals precisely why a new UN force will not work in Southern Lebanon. Let's be clear: no force will work until Hezbollah has been completely defeated, a job that may take months or years, as we see with the Taliban in Afghanistan. This is indeed part of the wider Global War on Terror. To think otherwise would be a grave mistake. Eye on the UN provides a link to "The UN's Failed Mission" from Canada's The National Post.

Peacekeeping is a nice idea in theory, and it has even worked once or twice in various parts of the world. But in the context of southern Lebanon, the concept is not only laughably naive, but dangerous as well.

As informed observers know, there already is a peacekeeping force in the area, and it's been there since 1978. But all the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has done is preside over the establishment of a de facto Hezbollah terrorist state let on Israel's northern border. Given the United Nations' historic antipathy toward Israel, there is little reason to suspect that even a larger, better-trained force would rouse itself to offer the Jewish state any better protection.

Please link to Eye on the UN to read the article in full, and understand why the UN must never be allowed to return to Southern Lebanon and why only coalitions of the willing will save the world from the threat that terrorism posses.

Somalia Update - G.W.O.T.'s latest front

2006-07-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

The latest front of the Global War on Terror (WWIII, according to the distinguished former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich), is getting hotter. Looks like all-out war may be coming to Somalia, via Ethiopia. The UN, once again, is proving impotent in its ability to back up policy and words with action. This month is witnessing the great failure that is the UN. The "blue line" was violated by and Somalia's weak government is falling to Islamists. It is understood that the UN will not provide a force to ensure that Hezbollah does not once again attack Israel and potentially destabilize the Middle East. What will the UN do with regards to Somalia?

The following exerpts are from News24.com:
Nairobi - Ethiopia is prepared to invade neighbouring Somalia to defend Somalia's internationally recognised government against what appeared to be an imminent attack by an Islamic militia, says a government spokesperson.
Ethiopia's minister of information Berhan Hailu said: "We have the responsibility to defend the border and the Somali government. We will crush them."
The comments came as the Islamic militia that had seized control of most of southern Somalia deployed hundreds of fighters outside the base of the United Nations-backed interim government and said they planned to seize it.
The militia's movement toward the Somali town of Baidoa immediately raised concerns about possible intervention by Ethiopia, Somalia's traditional enemy.

Video Link - Rockets Hitting Haifa

2006-07-25T00:52:00.000-07:00

As has been said, rockets and missiles don't care if you're an Arab or a Jew, though Hezbollah prefers to kill Jews. Two video links (found on YouTube.com) from Israel. I checked with Dov, and the consensus is that the first video was shot by Israeli Arabs, most likely in Haifa. Explosions of falling rockets/missiles are heard well in this video.

The second video was taken, I believe, with a cell phone. Both videos portray the reality in a more realistic light than what we see on the news - these are close-up.

Imagine if these were falling on New York, L.A. (don't forget North Korea) or Dallas. Secure borders and fight terror.

Video - Violence and Hatred at Anti-Israel Rally in Boston

2006-07-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Anti-Israel rally in Boston. The amount of hatred never ceases to amaze me.
This is a GREAT blog...what video!
Hatred of Israel and Zionists: Boston Rally Video

Michigan Publisher Osama Siblani Blasts U.S. Congress and Accuses its Members of Selling their Souls

2006-07-24T13:55:00.001-07:00

The Arab American publisher, Osama Siblani, in an interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, said the following regarding the Congress of the United States

I have already given up on the Congress of the United States. It's an occupied Israeli territory. You know, we have 435 -- another incompetent Congress, that is rubber stamping what that administration is doing when it comes to Israel.

He further stated

whether Democrats or Republican, they are committed to the help of the Israelis. They've been bought. Their soul has been bought. And therefore, talking to them is useless. Useless.

Let's not forget that Osama Siblani publishes a bilingual publication in Michigan which has the capacity to form Americans' political opinions and influence their voting behavior!!!

Click here for the transcript of the interview.

Michigan, USA - Terrorist Haven?

2006-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

According to the Detroit Free Press, Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News

compares Hizballah with America's founding fathers, such as George Washington, saying, "Your terrorist could be my freedom fighter. A terrorist to the Israelis could be a freedom fighter of mine."

On October 23, 1983, Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, attacked and murdered 241 American servicemen.

The Detroit Free Press went on to say that

The FBI in Detroit says Hizballah has a presence in Michigan, and the bureau has set up a division to investigate the Shi'ite Muslim group. In recent cases, federal agents are looking at ties to Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, a Shi'ite Muslim cleric in Lebanon who the U.S. government says is a Hizballah leader. The FBI in Detroit also has divisions that investigate Hamas and Al Qaeda, but those terrorist groups are not cited as often as Hizballah in local cases.

L.A. Stories

2006-07-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our man in L.A., Eric "Indiana" B. He provided us with this link to an interesting take on the current Lebanon War "pros" and "againsts" in L.A. Eric: Get out there and take some pictures next time!!!
Eric's L.A. Times Story

Learn a Bit About Hezbollah - Lebanon's Al Qaeda

2006-07-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

Interested in the organizational structure, history and military breakdown of Hezbollah? Check out the Suburban Emergency Management Project's Hezbollah page . You'll learn about Hezbollah's U.S. operations and see photos of members, including possible recon in front of the White House.

source:http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_183.html

Kofi Annan - Why can't he say "terror"?

2006-07-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

source:http://www.israel-wat.com/kofi.jpg

SHEIKH SHARIF AHMED - who is this guy?

2006-07-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

Somali Islamists claimed another vicotry for the forces of terror. After claiming parts of the country from the government, a truce was reached. ETHIOPIAN troops are now coming in to save the day.
Picturesource:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/5072268.stm

Here's what the BBC has to say about him:

In the mid-1980s, he went to Sudan for his higher education. There he attended the Kurdufan University at Dalanji and he majored in geography and Arabic language.
Mr Ahmed became chairman of the regional court in Jowhar but the alliance with Mr Dhere - a key member of the Anti-Terror Alliance, who still controls Jowhar - did not last long and he fled Jowhar for Mogadishu where he started teaching at Jubba Secondary school.
Although his group is in charge of the capital, the war for Mogadishu may not be over, as there are fears that the fighting might degenerate into inter-clan warfare.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed nevertheless sounds confident that Islam will always have the upper hand.

Wierd...Al Jazeera English calls them Islamists. I'm going to get Leon on this one to see how they're referred to in the A.J. Arabic press.

OP-ED Redefining Normalcy

2006-07-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

I was speaking to a friend who had not followed the war today. She asked me what had happened, and I told her, in Hebrew, "כרגיל", "as normal." She replied, "So we've gotten into a routine?" Following the war so closely has definitely made it routine. The routine is, of course, a nightmare for those up North and down South who are living underground. But it has, nonetheless, become routine. That is why we must keep fighting.

I remember beginning in 2000, when the Palestinian Terror War against Israel began, each bombing was new. Over time, living in Jerusalem, it became a horrifying routine, but a routine. Finally, one Pesach in 2002, the routine became too much, and we went to war. That is precisely what is happening right now.

Our enemy to the North, believing we were weak, much in the same way Osama Bin Laden thought of the United States before September 11, was attempting to define our sense of normalcy and routine in order to gain strategic goals and weaken us further. But he was mistaken.

Kidnapping soldier after soldier from within Israel proper is an attempt to create a pattern and instill fear to change the way we behave. Thankfully, our new Prime Minister, whom we all stand behind at this time of war, was not willing to allow that to happen. We in Israel have become accustomed to war. We have tried time and again to change the situation. We have gone the extra yard in offering our most precious city to the enemy. But when, after doing what the world has asked, after defining international borders and leaving our enemy alone, our children are killed and kidnapped from our own soil, we must redefine normalcy not only for ourselves, but for the enemy and all those who grant him refuge and assistance. It is our only recourse.

Current calls for a cease-fire in order to end the violence which may "spiral" out of control miss this point entirely. The worrying prospect of a greater war is one we all share - but we will do what is necessary to ensure that our children will indeed have a sense of normalcy dreamed of by generations of Jews. Fear will not define our behavior. The calls for a cease-fire miss the point that there are things in this world which must be destroyed; terror must be destroyed. Appeasement, the same type offered to a tyrant in Europe more than 60 years ago, is the fuel that promotes violence. Offering a cease-fire after vowing to destroy them in order to ensure that this routine will not remain such will mean thousands, perhaps tens or hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dead years from now.

The War on Terror is global. The war now taking place in Northern Israel and Lebanon is evidence of the link between terrorists everywhere and their desire to change the world. Whether or not they are all working hand-in-hand is irrelevant. They have the same goal. The regimes that support them encourage the disruption of lives and economies in order to destroy the world as it exists and rebuild it in their image.

Iran’s messianic regime dreams of changing the routine of the world. It dreams of a one-world regime, dominated by the rule of Islam. It pursues the means to meet that end. It attempts to disrupt the rebirth of a new nation at its doorstep. It creates war where people want peace. It succeeds to change the agenda and routine of world diplomacy.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has defined the War on Terror as the Third World War. The current war between Israel and Hezbollah is this war's latest front. It is a front which may end in a few weeks or may take
longer. There are other determining actors other than the terrorists and the Jewish State, actors with an agenda to redefine normalcy. We must not to let this happen. We must fight this through to the end. It is our desire to change this routine, for the betterment of the world.

I wonder how many others would live with this routine. I fear how many are actually willing to fight it.

Exit The Cave

Iran Raises Voting Age - Stop the Vote!

Action with Iran

US Airstrikes in Somalia

Will CAIR ever Care? Don't Hold Your Breath

Back and Vindicated

Red Dawn of War

Possible Fox Kidnapping in Gaza

Remeber that Islamist War I've Been Warning Everyone About?

Saturday's Death Toll Hits 24

11 IDF Troops KIA, Chopper Shot Down - Cease Fire Deal Reached

Mobius the Non-Pluralist Intolerant

UN Policy Closer to Resulting in New Islamist Terror State

Cindy Sheehan Attacks Israel Again

Annan Watch

Somali Cabinet Dissolved

If Diplomacy Stalls (and hopefully it will) Israel Will Step Up Attacks

Jew School, Lending Aid to the Enemy

15 Dead, over 100 Injured

To All Those Condemning Israel:

Reuters Doctors Photo

Death Threats to Blםgger Sent from Reuters Network

What About the Day After, Syria and Iran

Israel May be Offered F-22, Iran Admits to Supplying Hezbollah and other ME News

New 9/11 Audio

Michael's Funeral

Quote of the Day

Islamist Somalia

If Only they Would Wait a Few Minutes Before Condemning Us

Jews (U.S.) Helping Jews (Israel)

Somalia

Originally from Philly, American/Israeli Soldier Falls in Lebanon

Know Anything About Hezbollah?

From DZ

Fighting the Fight....Together

A Beautiful People

Somalia: Getting Some Press, Finally

The Danger of an Immediate Cease-Fire: Victory for Terror

Lebanese Plea for Help from Hezbollah Terror

And Let's Not Forget the South

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

Palestinians Attacking UN in Gaza - Will Annan Condemn This?

Nasrallah - Why Doesn't the FBI Want Him?

Rep. Jim Cooper Owes Israel an Apology

US Warns Somalia's Neighbors

The DZ Zone: Two in the Bush-Warfare and Tactics Part I

Hezbollah-Israel War Made Simple

Iran Possibly Backing Somali Islamists

Hamas Video Translated - What Peace???

A Call To Arms

Hmmmm

Congressional Israel Allies Caucus Launched

Send an IDF Soldier a Message

Fallen Boys

Nasrallah meeting Iran Nuke Man in Syria

Can't Learn this in College - Our Heroic Defenders of Freedom and Life

Cell Phones and Terror War

Smokey the Bear vs. Nasrallah

Hezbollah's Sense of Humor

Iran Daily Threatens More Surprises

Giving up the Farm

The US and Israel: Fighting Together

Somalia Update

Arms to Somali Islamists - More War on the Way

UPDATE: Rome Conference on Israel-Hezbollah War

Israel-Hezbollah War: Heavy Fighting in Bint Jbail

Video that Must be Seen! Amazing Rebuke of Islamic Terror by Arab-American on Aljazeera

Annan Watch

War Can't Stop the Economy

Coming Soon

Angry Annan

Update: Somalia Situation

UPDATE: Israel-Hezbollah War

Senator Russ Feingold Urges Condmnation, but NOT the Destruction of, Terrorist Groups

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ FeingoldOn the Hezbollah Attacks on Israel

Living in a Country at War - Away from the Rockets

Why the Somalia Updates?

Progress in Israel-Hezbollah War

UPDATE: Peace Talks in Somalia - Victory for Islamists - The UN at Work

Spy Games - Cyber-Style

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Hezbollah Attacks on Israel