Beginning with a quote plucked from an Al-Ansar chatroom counseling jihadists to use our legal and cultural systems against us—not only to sow division and weaken our defenses, but to affect real and practical tactical defeats—the Counterterrorism Blog’s Dr Walid Phares, senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, goes on to discuss the domestic spying “scandal” that continues to lead every news cycle (and which Barbara Boxer
December 19, 2005
“Catch them, but do not watch them!” (UPDATED to take a few glancing shots at Echelon, then UPDATED AGAIN)
December 19, 2005
“Support for the U.S. is surging in some parts of the Muslim world”
From the Wall Street Journal: So much for the popularly peddled view that anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is so pervasive and deep-rooted it might take generations to alter. A new poll from Pakistan, a critical front-line in the war on terror, paints a very different picture–by revealing a sea-change in public opinion in recent months. Long a stronghold for Islamic extremists and the world’s second-most populous Muslim nation, Pakistanis
December 19, 2005
Chimpy McHitlerburton’s smirky rodeo ride through history, 17
From UPI/PJM: Sunni Muslim leaders in Iraq’s violent Anbar province say they are ready to cooperate with the United States. They are seeking to extend a temporary truce honored by most insurgent groups for last week’s elections but say they want the United States to reduce military raids and increase development projects for their vast desert province, The Washington Times reports. Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of a prominent Sunni bloc, said
December 19, 2005
“Media Bias Is Real, Finds UCLA Political Scientist”
Yeah, I know. Nobody ever really doubted it, anyway (well, except maybe for Eric Alterman; but honestly, when’s the last time you ever heard anybody say, “gee, I wonder where Eric Alterman comes down on this?”). From UCLA: While the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal is conservative, the newspaper’s news pages are liberal, even more liberal than The New York Times. The Drudge Report may have a right-wing
December 18, 2005
More on FISA (UPDATED & UPDATED AGAIN)
Al Maviva, writing at Cold Fury, well-encapsulates the argument I made yesterday for the legality of Bush’s domestic NSA monitoring program: […] In brief, the warrantless monitoring exception applies to domestic agents of foreign powers that are tied to national governments, to factions of nations, or to entities openly controlled by foreign governments, per 50 USC 1801(a). The warrantless monitoring exception does not per se apply to operatives of foreign
December 18, 2005
About that oft-cited poll…
From Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard, “Eighty Percent of What?” The poll number—80 percent of Iraqis want Americans out of their country—has become a staple of Democratic antiwar rhetoric. Representative John Murtha cited it in his proposed House resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Democratic national chairman Howard Dean mentioned it in the radio interview in which he said the war in Iraq is unwinnable.
December 17, 2005
Likely scenes from my first holiday party of the season (which is where I’ll be for the next several hours)
Jeff’s progressive friend #1: “I don’t know how you can even begin to defend this outrageous affront to our civil liberties, Jeff. It shocks me—really shocks me!—that you, of all people, have no problem with Bushco eavesdropping on American citizens –” Jeff’s progressive friend #2: “—Citizens who, let’s add, are protected by the very Constitution your President claims he’s fighting to uphold.” Jeff’s progressive friend #1: “Exactly. Clearly, you can
December 17, 2005
BREAKING: Assassination attempt on Iranian President? (UPDATED)
From Michael Ledeen: I’ve just received a call from a usually reliable person saying that there was an assassination attempt in Iran against President Ahmadi Nezhad, who was in a car. His driver and guards were killed, and he is in the hospital, apparently likely to survive. I couldn’t get any details about the intensity of the blue energy waves flowing from his cranium…but if this story is true it
December 17, 2005
The Revolution will be blogged, 8 (UPDATED)
The Democratic spin doctors, spurred on by their disingenuous Congressional taskmasters , are all over the tube this morning trying to gin up additional outrage over this NSA domestic “spy story”—even as the President stands firm and defends the practice. Forcefully. From his weekly radio addres (via Byron York): In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our nation, I authorized the National Security Agency, consistent with U.S. law and
December 17, 2005
Film reviews in five words or less, #31
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) Directed by Judd Apatow. Stars Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Banks, Seth Rogen, Romany Malco, Jane Lynch, Loudon Wainwright III, and Paul Rudd. Five words or less review: Me? 16. Godbless California Coolers!