IRBIL, Iraq — The posting of a video showing the grisly execution of American journalist James Foley by the Islamic State, the al-Qaida spinoff that controls much of Iraq and Syria, coincided with a rash of new abductions of foreigners in northern Syria. Two Italian citizens and a Japanese man, who might have been fighting with… … [Read more...] about Rash of new abductions of foreigners in Syria
ISIL Terrorists Must be Defeated, JCS Chairman Says – Hagel Agrees
[icopyright one button toolbar] At a Pentagon news conference today, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey , said the ISIL terror group has an “apocalyptic, end-of-days” vision that eventually must be defeated, not only in Iraq but in Syria as well. Referring to ISIL as ISIS because such highlights the terrorists’ long-term goal … [Read more...] about ISIL Terrorists Must be Defeated, JCS Chairman Says – Hagel Agrees
Packer on ISIS
George Packer, one of my favorite political writers, offers his take on ISIS in The New Yorker.[icopyright one button toolbar] Armed movements driven by an ideology like that of ISIS are expansionist as well as eliminationist. There is always a new enemy to defeat, a new threat to the dream of purifying the world. The Islamic State, whose success makes it a magnet for … [Read more...] about Packer on ISIS
Two of My Most Favorite Things…
ISIS/ISIL, Ferguson, Sarah Palin... OK, enough “gloomy and doomy” stuff. Time for two of my most favorite subjects. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Culbertson greets his son after a six-month deployment on the attack submarine USS New Hampshire, which returned to its homeport on Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Aug. 13, 2014. A U.S. … [Read more...] about Two of My Most Favorite Things…
Railroad ‘Bomb Trains’: Speeding to Disaster
It’s 3 p.m., and you’re cruising down a rural road, doing about 50. [icopyright one button toolbar] A quarter mile away is a sign, with flashing yellow lights, alerting you to slow down to 15. It’s a school zone. But, you don’t see any children. Besides, you’re going to be late to your racquetball match. So, you just slide on past. You’re an independent long-haul … [Read more...] about Railroad ‘Bomb Trains’: Speeding to Disaster
Sarah Palin – still delusional after all these years
Sarah Palin - still delusional after all these years By Richard K. Barry The Hollywood Reporter ran an excerpt recently from a new book about Saturday Night Live. It's actually an update of an old book. Live From New York is by James Andrew Miller and Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post television critic Tom Shales (due out in September). It adds a couple hundred pages … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin – still delusional after all these years
Before Killing James Foley, ISIS Demanded Ransom From U.S.
Well, well, it now turns out that despite the original statement broadcast to the world before a member of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria beheaded American freelance journalist James Foley that the group was sending a message to the United States and President Barack Obama, the group that is bringing back the bad 'ol days memories of World War II and a certain mustachioed … [Read more...] about Before Killing James Foley, ISIS Demanded Ransom From U.S.
An ISIS primer: who, what and when
An ISIS primer: who, what and when By Shoshana Bryen and Michael Johnson WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL), currently controls about one-third of Iraq. It is a combination of: [icopyright one button toolbar] • A non-al-Qaeda revival of the al-Qaeda-sponsored Islamic State of Iraq … [Read more...] about An ISIS primer: who, what and when
Secret terror: Fate of journalist Steven Sotloff now on world stage
MIAMI — A grisly recording of Islamic jihadists decapitating an American journalist that was posted on the Internet Tuesday revealed more than just the group's pitiless, homicidal soul. It also uncorked one of the Middle East's dirty little secrets: that a Florida man has been held hostage in Syria for a year by militants who now… … [Read more...] about Secret terror: Fate of journalist Steven Sotloff now on world stage
Video: Stunning footage of swimmer escaping huge crocodile
A swimmer's worst nightmare, in the same league with a shark: being in the water near a crocodile. Here's some stunning footage of a big croc watching and following a tourist in Mexico as he considers having manwhich for lunch. This footage was reportedly shot on a bridge by terrified tourists who were looking on: Background on this video: … [Read more...] about Video: Stunning footage of swimmer escaping huge crocodile
Is James Foley’s Death the End of Frontline Reporting?
Like many families of those who simply disappear and go missing, James Foley’s were no different. They believed that one day their son, who had gone missing before Thanksgiving 2012 in Syria, would walk through the door. Jim was smart. Jim was brave. Jim was a good guy. Because of these traits, his family and his… … [Read more...] about Is James Foley’s Death the End of Frontline Reporting?
The ones left behind
WASHINGTON -- The fire this time is about invisibility. Our society expects the police to keep unemployed, poorly educated African-American men out of sight and out of mind. When they suddenly take center stage, illuminated by the flash and flicker of Molotov cocktails, we feign surprise. The proximate cause of the rioting in Ferguson, Mo., is the killing of 18-year-old … [Read more...] about The ones left behind
(Updated) The President and John Kerry on Foley’s Murder
[icopyright one button toolbar] Update: Apparently, the U.S. had attempted a rescue operation to free Foley and other American hostages held in Syria by ISIL. Sadly, the mission failed “because hostages were not present at the targeted location” Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement announcing the unsuccessful mission, “the U.S. … [Read more...] about (Updated) The President and John Kerry on Foley’s Murder
Obama’s hard choices: Islamic State or just terrorists?
President Barack Obama will have to act more forcefully and quickly in both Iraq and Syria if he does decide to take the fight to the Islamic State to preempt a barbaric fortress of anti-Western terrorists. [icopyright one button toolbar] James Foley’s gruesome beheading underscores the urgency of unambiguous actions. First, he will have to clarify whether he sees IS as … [Read more...] about Obama’s hard choices: Islamic State or just terrorists?
Racing in the ‘Baja 1000’ to Heal Young Hearts
[icopyright one button toolbar] Every year, scores of adventurous men and women compete in one of the most grueling racing events, the SCORE Baja 1000. This year's 1,130-mile race -- the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 -- will take place November 12 through 16. It will start in Ensenada, Baja California, and end 1,130 miles and 30 to 40 hours later in La Paz, Baja California … [Read more...] about Racing in the ‘Baja 1000’ to Heal Young Hearts
The Letdown: Why I Feel Bad at the End of Good Days
The Letdown There might be a very good reason you feel down after big days. And there is a good chance is has less to do with reality and more to do with how your mind is processing reality. Don’t get me wrong, it is a real feeling you confront, but it might not be based on reality. Let me tell you why…[icopyright one button toolbar] Big days are different than normal … [Read more...] about The Letdown: Why I Feel Bad at the End of Good Days
The White House Confirms: Journalist James Foley was beheaded by ISIS
And now the dreaded confirmation from the White House. Yes, freelance journalist James Foley was indeed beheaded by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The video -- on line and for a while on You Tube, then taken off -- was authentic. [icopyright one button toolbar] The video showing the beheading of an American journalist by the militant group Islamic State is … [Read more...] about The White House Confirms: Journalist James Foley was beheaded by ISIS
Book Review – A History Of The Future
James Howard Kunstler was best known for his dystopian non fiction until he made the move to fiction in 2008. I reviewed his first novel, A World Made By Hand, in 2010. The US Economy and for all intents civilization has collapsed suddenly. [icopyright one button toolbar] The reasons really don't matter, there are hundreds of scenarios that might result in such a collapse. … [Read more...] about Book Review – A History Of The Future
Cartoon: Hands up in Ferguson
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV by Cagle Cartoons. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Hands up in Ferguson
Tea Party Has Republicans Afraid To Discuss Scientific Consensus On Climate Change
Republicans must say idiotic things to get elected, often denying science, but that does not mean that all elected Republicans are idiots. Bloomberg has discussed the scientific consensus on climate change with many Republicans. While well ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree on how human action has caused global warming, rank and file Republican remains in denial, … [Read more...] about Tea Party Has Republicans Afraid To Discuss Scientific Consensus On Climate Change