03/04 Morning Report

I think the Taliban and Iraqi insurgent forces have learned more lessons from the Viet Cong. Putting US and NATO forces in the position of not knowing who to trust has caused more civilian deaths. How well those tactics have succeeded is summed up in this:

After a suicide attack by an explosives-filled minivan, the Americans treated every car and person along the highway as a potential attacker, though none of the people showed hostile intent, said Mohammad Khan Katawazi, the district chief of Shinwar.

Unfortunately, when only one side wears uniforms—your own-- it’s easy to get trapped into that behavior.

By the way, want to know what Muslim extremists think? Well there are two good examples.
First, according to Chechnyan President Ramzan Kadyrov, ”if you’re a leader, people fear you”.
(…maybe someone should tell that to the Democrats?...)

Second, there is Iran, who once again proved the UN does not care if they get thumbed in the nose. It seems UN leaders cannot agree on sanctions against Iran for nuclear stone walling.
(…must be nice to be able to say what you want…and do what you want…and get away with it…how come America can’t do that in the UN?...)

And, in case you were wondering just how much Iran and the Saudis distrust each other, they have agreed to keep Muslim ranks unified. It should be interesting to see that happen between Shiite and Sunni factions. They are already tearing each other apart in Lebanon, Iraq, and among the Palestinians. And each of these nations is fueling the fight, one way or another.
(…somehow…that’s supposed to make sense…to someone…maybe the Muslims get it…that’s why they are so unified…right?...)

By the way, if you think our annual defense budget increases are big? Take a look at what China announced! Their defense spending will jump almost 18% next year.

Jiang said most of the money would be spent on boosting wages and living allowances for the 2.5 million-member People's Liberation Army, and on upgrading armaments.

(…at least all of theirs are home…putting down dissenters and tyrannizing the populace…I wonder what the liberals would do if our military was used like that…and how come the liberals aren’t doing this about the Chinese…and the Russians…and…oh, never mind…)

Give peace a chance was a favorite slogan of American peace activists back in the 60s and 70s. Considering all the violence that ensued between leftists then and American authorites, should anyone be that surprised at the Danish riots? It could be these guys are taking lessons from the Muslims in Iraq…

Police said they arrested about 100 activists in raids on houses, schools and hostels. About half were foreigners who police said would be expelled.

Defying the courts, leftists have occupied a building that was sold to Christian fundamentalists, and even resorted to using molotov cocktails to ward off police.
(…really makes you believe their interested in peace…as opposed to…say…forcing everyone to give them what they want…hhhmmm…can you say “Chavez”?...)