‘Trophy’ pictures show US soldiers posing with corpses of Afghan civilians they are accused of killing for sport The face of Jeremy Morlock, a young US soldier, grins at the camera, his hand holding up the head of the dead and bloodied youth he and his colleagues have just killed in an act military prosecutors say was premeditated murder. Moments before the picture was taken in January last year, the unsuspecting victim had been waved over by a group of US soldiers who had driven to his village in Kandahar province in one of their armoured Stryker tanks. According to testimony collected by Der Spiegel magazine the boy had, as a matter of routine, lifted up his shirt to reveal that he was not hiding a suicide bomb vest. That was the moment Morlock, according to a pre-arranged plan, threw a grenade at the boy that exploded while other members of the rogue group who called themselves the “kill team” opened fire. They would later tell military investigators that the boy, a farmer’s son, had threatened them with the grenade. The pictures include a similar photograph of a different soldier posing with the same victim and a photograph of two other civilians killed by the unit. There was no sign on Monday of the anticipated public outrage. But with Afghanistan on holiday for the Persian new year celebrations, and media outlets initially unable to get hold of the images, anger may yet build. The US ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, recently confided to officials that he feared it might trigger the same kind of scandal as that at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, where images of prisoners being abused by US soldiers sparked anti-American protests. For weeks the US government has been working to pre-empt any outrage, with top officials, including the US vice president Joe Biden, in talks with Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president. Despite being a setback in the propaganda war between the western coalition and its insurgent enemies, Nato will be relieved that for the time being only a tiny sample of a total collection of roughly 4,000 images and video clips have found their way into the public domain. The publication of the photos will also mark the ultimate disgrace of the group of young US soldiers, who are currently facing military justice for killing innocent civilians for sport and mutilating their bodies by cutting off fingers and ripping out teeth to keep as trophies. Morlock has turned on his former colleagues, agreeing to testify against them in return for a reduced jail sentence. Some of the activities of the group are already public, with 12 men currently on trial in Seattle for their role in the killing of three civilians. Morlock has told investigators that Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs was the ringleader. In videotaped evidence, he has said Gibbs would pick out a possible target with a comment such as: “You guys wanna wax this guy or what?” Gibbs, if found guilty, could receive a life sentence. Hans-Ulrich Stoldt, a spokesman for Der Spiegel, said the magazine had other, more graphic photos. “We published three but not others, and we even pixilated those we did print so that the victims could not be identified,” Stoldt said. “We needed to document [the accusations] in some form, and were as restrained as possible.” Afghanistan Middle East United States Jon Boone guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The US-led military coalition is making progress in Libya, and the Pentagon is looking to hand off responsibility to other partners. (March 21)
Continue reading …Though it had nothing to do with Japan’s earthquake, this weekend’s ” supermoon ” may be to blame for the stranding of five ships off the UK, the Telegraph reports. Low tides Saturday night left sandbanks particularly exposed, temporarily grounding a 3,200-ton cargo ship, among other vessels. “There were no injuries,…
Continue reading …enlarge One of the many depressing aspects of Obama’s horrific decision to start a third simultaneous war with a Muslim-majority nation is that it’s providing endless pangs of pleasure to Bill Kristol. After all, America’s Chickenhawk-in-Chief hasn’t been able to watch other people risk their asses invading a sovereign country since 2003 and he’s just as thrilled and excited about this latest adventure as you’d expect him to be: And so, despite his doubts and dithering, President Obama is taking us to war in another Muslim country. Good for him. No, seriously. That’s how Kristol actually starts out his column. Read it again: And so, despite his doubts and dithering, President Obama is taking us to war in another Muslim country. Good for him. It’s hard for most of us to comprehend the sort of vile vampiric scumbag who relishes the thought of having his country go to war in three different countries at the same time, but that’s pretty much how Bill Kristol rolls. I wonder what would happen if America successfully invaded the entire world — whatever would Kristol do to pleasure himself? Perhaps he’d recommend sending our entire army into the depths of the Pacific Ocean to launch a long-overdue war against the lost city of Atlantis. Those shifty Mermen have had it coming for a long time, after all. More: The president didn’t want this. He’s been so unhappy about such a possibility—so fearful of such an eventuality—that first he tied himself in knots trying to do nothing. Then he decided that, if he had to act, it would be good to boast that he was merely following the Arab League and subordinating American action to the U.N. Security Council. After all, nothing—nothing!—could be worse than the perception that the United States was “invading” another Muslim country. Yeah, where the hell did we get this stigma about “invading” Muslim countries from? It’s not like anyone’s ever died from such “invasions” before. Why, you’d think it was as bad as trying to give people health insurance! In all seriousness, Kristol is just happy to be starting another war, since apparently the Afghanistan conflict has gotten so BOE-RING ! The one downer for him is that Obama bothered to get the UN’s permission to attack Libya rather than going all in and giving other countries the finger like Bush did. Kristol is at his absolute happiest when our country is both at war and defying the will of the international community. But he’ll happily take the war all the same. Rubbish. Our “invasions” have in fact been liberations. They have liberated many people from their lives, yes. We have shed blood and expended treasure in Kuwait in 1991, in the Balkans later in the 1990s, and in Afghanistan and Iraq—in our own national interest, of course, but also to protect Muslim peoples and help them free themselves. Libya will be America’s fifth war of Muslim liberation. It’s amazing that after five glorious wars, the Middle East isn’t yet a mecca of sunshine, lollipops, rainbows and everything that’s wonderful that I feel when we’re together. But of course, there’s always the option of starting a sixth war, which I’m sure will make everything better. [T]he Reagan tradition—indeed, the Reagan-Bush-Dole-Bush-McCain tradition—in foreign policy isn’t a burden to be borne. It’s a tradition to be proud of. It’s rare that a political party gets to stand for more than a partial interest, for more than a limited point of view. It’s rare that a political party gets to stand for the national interest, for national greatness, for the exceptional American role in the liberation of peoples around the globe. I’m amazed that Kristol can’t type this crap without God coming down from the heavens, striking Kristol down with all manner of lightning and saying, “I didst err when I made thee, vile spawn of darkness!” In case Bill hasn’t noticed, we’re facing massive cuts to public education, to social safety net programs and even to services as basic as public street lights . And yet Kristol thinks we should sacrifice all of these things on his bloody altar of permanent warfare. Thanks for aiding his agenda, Obama!
Continue reading …House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized during a trip to Rome, Italy on Monday, AFP reports. According to Italian news outlets, the ranking Democrat was reportedly admitted to Umberto I hospital after feeling “slightly unwell” and is undergoing tests. ABC News reports that the United States Embassy in Rome is aware of reports on Pelosi’s condition, but did not comment further. According to the AP, the congresswoman’s office in Washington, D.C. repeatedly declined requests to disclose more information on the situation. NBC News’ Luke Russert relayed word on Twitter from Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who’s traveling with the Democratic leader, that she’s now back at her hotel and “in good shape.” Pelosi and a small group of House members arrived in Italy on Friday to meet with Italian president Giorgio Napolitano as well as U.S. troops stationed in the country. UPDATE: Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami released the following statement on the ranking Democrat’s condition: “After several flights yesterday in Afghanistan, and a long flight back to Italy that arrived early this morning, Leader Pelosi was not feeling well. This morning in Rome, the Leader was advised to visit a clinic, and the closest medical facility was a hospital. The Leader is now resuming her schedule in Italy.”
Continue reading …Union protests against a Republican governor as well as mass demonstrations aimed at an Egyptian President have been the central focus of our news media the past two months. But as Big Government's Susan Swift reported Sunday, Brazilians protesting the imminent arrival of Barack Obama hours after he launched missiles at a country that didn't attack America is not considered newsworthy to his many fans in the press here: In 2007 the MSNBC headline screamed “Protests greet Bush upon arrival in Brazil” and The Guardian one-upped it with “Angry crowds hunt Bush as protests mark start of Latin America tour”.
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Continue reading …Type: CE Title: Sanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteries See all customer reviews Product Description: New, improved eneloop kit in colors eneloop – ready to use rechargeable battery. Since its launch in November 2005 eneloop has become well-known around the world as it has revolutionized the consumer-use rechargeable battery segment with its unique features: * rechargeable approximately 1,000 times * coming pre-charged, making it usable immediately after purchase * its unique design departing from the look of traditional batteries What is the difference between the “old” and the “new” improved eneloop? * An extra of 500 charging cycles – instead of being rechargeable 1000 times, the new eneloop is even rechargeable up to 1500 times. * Improved self-dischcharge. Even though the self discharge of the old eneloop was already very impressive, you can store the new eneloop for 3 years and still it will retain 75% of its capacity. * You need a battery, which is reliable even when having cold temperatures? Before eneloop was suitable for temperatures as low as -10°C – now even until -20°C. * The new eneloop is even more environment-friendly as it is pre-charged with solar energy in Japan. Features: Holds charge up to 3 years. Each eneloop will maintain 75% capacity after 3 years of non-use. Recharge 1500x. New and Improved! Each eneloop can be recharged 1500 times. Pre-charged and ready to use in your favorite devices Less than 4 cents per recharge. Save money. Over thier lifetime each eneloop costs less then 4 cents per recharge. INCLUDES: (8) AA eneloop, (4) AAA eneloop and (1) 4 battery charger See the details
Continue reading …SPY Pre-Market Technical Analysis March 21, 11 Country Home! 100 Park Ave. West #1005 Denver CO 80205 Chicago-area home sales , prices fall from year ago | Chicago … The weeks after the Super Bowl are considered the traditional start of the home-buying season but home sales were a non-starter in the Chicago area last month. Existing Home Sales Dive Massive 9.6% Existing- home sales , which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, dropped 9.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.88 million in February from an upwardly revised 5.40 … Home sales fell 9.6 pct. in February | The Associated Press | News … Fewer Americans bought previously occupied homes in February and those who did purchased them at steep discounts. The weak sales and rise in foreclosures pushed home prices down to their lowest level in nearly 9 years. US Existing Home Sales Decline | Forex News and Commentary by FXDD Feb. 2011 vs Jan 2011 Total Sales: 4.880 vs 5.400 Single Family: Home sales fell 9.6 pct. in February | The Daily Caller – Breaking … WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans bought previously occupied homes in February and those who did purchased them at steep discounts. The weak sales and rise in. twittnetgocios says: [businessweek] U.S. February Existing Home Sales Fall to 4.88 Million Rate: Sales of U.S. previously owned hom… http://buswk.co/f1d792
Continue reading …Looks like pastor Terry Jones finally got his Koran burning. A copy of the Muslim holy book was torched in a small Florida church by pastor Wayne Sapp yesterday, but Jones oversaw the event, AFP reports. Jones, of course, gained notoriety last year with his (abandoned) plan to burn a…
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