FBI: Pair sought to hurt troops

By KEVIN GRAHAM, Times Staff WriterPublished September 28, 2007
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Yousef Samir Megahed face federal arraignment on Oct. 3.
Ahmed Abda Sherf Mohamed has bomb-making information on his laptop.

TAMPA - A suspended University of South Florida student facing explosives charges regarded American troops and U.S. allies as invaders of Arab countries, an FBI agent says in federal court documents filed this week.
The agent's affidavit gives more details about a secretly taped conversation between Ahmed Mohamed, 26, and fellow student Youssef Megahed, 21, and also about the contents of Mohamed's laptop.
In a sworn affidavit, FBI Special Agent Daniel J. McTavish said that when agents searched Mohamed's hard drive they found a folder named "Bomb Shock." It contained files of information on explosives, explosive ingredients and downloads from Web sites about explosives.
Investigators also found another folder labeled "High-Order Explosives," which included information on the composition and use of explosives, including TNT and C-4.

According to CAIR they were just two unlucky college kids who got caught speeding with fire crackers in the trunk of their car and were racially profiled.

Baruch Dayan Ha'Emes - Rabbi Avraham Shapira ZATZAL

Rabbi Avraham Shapira ZATZAL Niftar September 29, 2007

Rav Avraham Elkana HaKohen Shapira, the head of the Merkaz HaRav Kook Yeshiva and a former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, passed away on the first day of Sukkos at the age of 94.

Rav Shimon Eider ZATZAL

September 29, 2007

We regret to inform you of the Petira of the noted Posek in Lakewood - Rav Shimon Eider ZATZAL (on the second day of Yom Tov) after a long illness. Rav Eider was a Talmid of Hagoen Rav Aron Kotler ZATZAL, and wrote many Seforim. The Levaya is scheduled for 11:00AM at BMG, and the Kevurah will take place in New Jersey. Boruch Dayan Emmes….

Land for Terrorism formula

"But before 1947, we had 95% of Palestine. In 1937, the partition plan gave the Israelis only part of Palestine. And they were very happy at that time. [David] Ben-Gurion was very happy with it. It didn't work.

"It didn't work". The surrounding Arabs countries, Egypt, Jordan, Syrian and Lebanon invaded trying to drive the Jews into the sea. There was no political discourse to try and resolve issue. The Arabs asked no questions, grabbed their and started shooting. A war which the Arabs lost and lost much of the land that they could have had.

After that [came] the 1947 partition plan - we rejected this, so we lost... Now, we accept [the pre-'67 borders]."

Then in 1956, led by Egypt, they also started a war and lost. Then in 1967 once again they lost the war and lost the land. Now they want to jump in a time machine and all those wars, all that terrorism, etc. is magically gone. Suddenly if Israel returns everything and they give nothing everything will be OK. Well, thanks, to paraphrase, "that's mighty Arab of you".

According to this plan, Abbas can continue to inculcate a culture of death via Arab TV, the education system, the religion/mosques, etc. So there will never be a change in culture and attitude towards Israelis and Jews. The culture of abject hatred, death and destruction will continue unabated. If nothing is done to change the hearts and minds of the Arab people towards Jews and Israelis then the situation will continue to deteriorate evn further - as hard as that is to believe. The dynamics of the situation will not have changed. All there will be is a worthless piece of paper in the hands of the Israelis and land for the Arabs.

Hypothetically, even granting Abbas position. What's in the deal to stop terrorism. What's being done to stop cross border attacks against Israel by the Arabs? We're now shoulder to shoulder on the same side, aren't we? Shouldn't Abbas's well funded, US trained police force start routing out terrorists in their midst? Shouldn't we see headlines and photo ops that Abbas's troops have "discovered" bomb and kassam factories? The could call it "Operation Shock and Surprise".

What's the consequence for terrorism launched from the newly acquired land? More land?

The "land for terrorism" formula as it's being implemented and it seems to be working.

Flexible as steel

"We will be flexible," said Abbas.

"Ninety-two [percent] is unacceptable to us," Abbas said.


Am I missing something? If somebody handed 92% me of the lottery I'd be pretty happy. But not the Arab leaders. The Arabs have not accepted defeat and the Israeli continue to crush them militarily and then hand them victory.

Our sukkah in the middle of the block

Here's just one angle. The multicolor chain was fashioned by my daughter and the blue & white chain was done by my son. The flower garland and hanging apples were my wife's idea.

She's having a ball.

It's the latest rage in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and many other Arab countries.

TSA Recognizes the Religious Events of Sukkot

Heard about this on Nachum Segal's Jewish Moments in the Morning Radio Show JM in the AM. I enjoy the program on the way to dropping the kids at school and on my way to work. Friday mornings are of particular good note (attempt at a pun) because of Rabbi Yudin's drasha about the weekly parsha and Malcolm Honlein's discussion of current political events vis-a-vis the Jewish communities of the US, Israel and the world.

TSA Recognizes the Religious Events of Sukkot
Press & Happenings
TSA recognizes that the travel period for Sukkot, a significant event for persons of the Jewish faith, begins approximately on September 23, 2007, and ends approximately on October 4, 2007.
TSA’s standard operating procedures do not prohibit the carrying of the four plants – which include a palm branch, myrtle twigs, willow twigs, and a citron through the airport or the security checkpoints, or on aircraft. These plants are not on TSA’s Prohibited Items List.
TSA understands that this is a significant religious event for the Jewish faith and has reminded its security workforce that members of the Jewish faith may be observed engaging in religious practices or meditations and carrying the four plants.

Shatner Singing to Lucas

Rabbi Frand's Tsuvah Drasha 2007

Rabbi Frand's Tsuvah Drasha 2007

It's a must.

[Hattip: Verbiage]

1st Annual Sukkah Collage

Welcome to the 1st annual Sukkah collage. Send in 1 picture of your sukkah and I'll post the pictures, bli neder. You can send an inside or an outside photo, but make it count.

It could be a photo of your personal sukkah, your synangogue sukkah, your work sukkah, your college dorm sukkah... Well you get the idea.

We've only just begun. I didn't want to give away any secrets (my 8 y.o. daughter explained to me that she is an artist) so here's a picture of the outside of our sukkah with a peek at the inside.

Israel's NY consulate launches youtube contest | Jerusalem Post

Take a look at what jpost.com is reporting.

The Israeli consulate in New York has launched a video competition about Israel on youtube, hoping to help boost a positive image about Israel in the popular video website.
The best videos will be aired on October 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York, when Israel's perennial basketball champions Maccabi Tel Aviv play the NBA's New York Knicks. The 20,000 fans, who will watch the clips on the arena's giant screens, will choose their favorite. The winner will win a roundtrip ticket to or from New York and two tickets to a Knicks game - a gift provided by the Israeli-America Friendship League.

REMIX:

Hammers and Tasers - we live in such a violent world.

Sure we'd invite Hitler to speak, says Columbia dean

The apex of emptymindedness. When will he invite a representative of the Klu Klux Klan to speak at Columbia? If Bollinger is soooo openminded (so open that his brain falls out). He offered to hypothetically invite Hitler to speak so why the Grand Wizard of the Knights of the KKK?

Israel thwarts suicide bombing planned for holy day of Yom Kippur - The Boston Globe

Police thwart suicide bombing in Israel

Cabinet to vote today on freeing 100 Palestinians

By Reuters September 23, 2007
JERUSALEM - Israeli police seized an explosive belt that was intended to be used in a Tel Aviv suicide bomb attack on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, a police spokesman said yesterday.

...

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said this week that he would ask his Cabinet to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners, but did not say how many would be freed. Baker said yesterday that 100 prisoners were up for release.
Israel plans to release members of the secular Fatah faction - a move to boost Abbas, who is backed by the West, after the Islamist group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.

These two headlines are from the same Reuters story. While Israel is planning to release even more recalcitrant violent Arabs, the Arabs are trying to blow up innocent people on Yom Kippur. It seems to me that there is complete disconnect between the actions on the part of the Israeli government and that of the Arabs.

Hillsborough: Tampa judge puts off bail for USF student

Just a quick update on the 2 Florida college students arrested with pipe bombs and other related items in their car trunk near a South Carolina US Naval base.

Tampa judge puts off bail for USF student
By Times Staff WriterPublished September 21, 2007
TAMPA - A suspended University of South Florida student in jail on explosives charges cannot post bail until a hearing on an appeal by federal prosecutors who oppose his release, a judge ruled.
Relatives for Youssef Megahed had secured the $200,000 needed, and met all the conditions for his pretrial release, his attorney said. But federal prosecutors filed a motion Thursday to stop him from getting out.
Megahed, 21, is a "significant flight risk," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hoffer wrote in his motion. He asked the court to issue a stay on the Sept. 14 order by U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins that set bail conditions.

Malcolm Hoenlein on Ahmadinejad Rally

Iran's President Ahmadinejad is coming to the UN.Will you?

He funds and supports terror around the world.

He wants a world without the US and Israel.

He is developing nuclear weapons.

He denies the Holocaust.

YOU can send a different message!Join the National Rally To Stop Iran Now.

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, across from the United Nations:

Monday, September 24th12 noon, 2nd Avenue at 47th Street

Join the National Rally To Stop Iran Now

Iran's President Ahmadinejad is coming to the UN.Will you?
He funds and supports terror around the world.He wants a world without the US and Israel.
He is developing nuclear weapons.He denies the Holocaust.YOU can send a different message!Join the National Rally To Stop Iran Now.Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, across from the United Nations: Monday, September 24th12 noon, 2nd Avenue at 47th Street

Fort Dix 6

Another story of terrorism in US that's getting very little attention. And now back to OJ and Brittany.

Liberty City Seven

Jury selection starts in Miami 'homegrown terrorism' case

israelinsider: diplomacy: Declaration of Capitulation: Olmert hands articles of surrender to Abbas

I liked this headline because it sums up what Olmert is doing. He is capitulating. At lunch yesteday a friend and author of Daled Amos, came up with another good line, "Olmert's Declaration of Concessions".

We wanted to do more but...

Birdbrain (Tzipi): "Sorry we could only offer you 95% of the West Bank, split Jerusalem and give you the Temple Mount. We wanted to do more but..."

AP's whitewash of Zero Degree Orbit

AP thinks the State run Iranian TV is warming up to the Jews.

Iran Holocaust Show Sympathetic to Jews
By NASSER KARIMI – 2 days ago
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — It is Iran's version of "Schindler's List," a miniseries that tells the tale of an Iranian diplomat in Paris who helps Jews escape the Holocaust — and viewers across the country are riveted.

Now take a look at MEMRI and see the actual translation. "I'm-a-nutjob" (Ahmadinejad) is still the Jew hating Holocoust denier who wants to wipe Israel off the map.

Olmert 'ready for uncondtional peace talks with Syria' - Israel News, Ynetnews

Yes PM Olmert continues to speak as though he is completely disconnected from reality.

Israel is interested in holding peace talks with Syria under the right conditions, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday.
Sunday Times quotes Israeli officials as saying airstrike in Syria 10 days ago was planned in late spring after Mossad obtained evidence that Syria was seeking nuclear equipment
Full Story
"We want to make peace… we are willing to make peace with Syria unconditionally and without demands. I have a lot of respect for the Syrian leader and the Syrian policy," Olmert said in a meeting with Russian reporters at his Jerusalem residence.

The Arabs conspired with the Zionists on 9/11

Take a look at what a former US Senator James Abourezk had to say about 9/11, Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. as quoted by MEMRI and as aired on Al-Manar TV on August 30, 2007.

Sept. '07 Palestinian Attacks Stats

Here are the September 2007 stats for rockets, gunfire, grenades from Israel's peace loving peace partners - the "Palestinians".

Many thanks to the IICC for compiling the stats. No thanks to the Arabs for providing the attacks.

Mohamed's Jail Cell Stark Contrast To Elite Home Life

So much for Terrorist driven by poverty thoery.

By LIAM STACK Special to the Tribune
Published: Sep 15, 2007

CAIRO, EGYPT - The Heliopolis Club is an oasis of leafy green calm in the heart of the congested but upscale Cairo suburb of Heliopolis.
The address is one of the city's most elite. It is home to gracious villas with luxury cars parked out front, boutiques that sell Gucci head scarves and the heavily guarded palace of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt with an iron fist since 1981.
It is also home to the family of Ahmed Mohamed, a 26-year-old student at the University of South Florida, now in the Falkenburg Road Jail, indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of trying to help terrorists by aiding, teaching and demonstrating the use of an explosive device as well as transporting explosives.
Organizations like the Heliopolis Club are an institution in the life of upper-class Egyptians, who can slip inside their gates to escape from the noise and crowding of this city of 18 million.
Few are allowed inside those gates. Membership in such social clubs is hereditary, with children inheriting from parents and spouses marrying into them from families less well-connected.
Inside, children run around jungle gyms and teenagers lounge by the pool while their parents mingle over buffet lines or a game of golf or croquet.
To enroll as a new member, a family must fork over a lump sum of $10,000 and pay an annual fee; this in a country where the average annual income hovers around $800.

'Jihadi' Images, Detonator Video Found

Why is this being treated as a "local law enforcement" issue? Should this be a terrorism issue handled by the Feds? They get pulled over and local police find pvc pipe, potassium nitrate, gasoline, safety fuse, etc. Then combine that with the videos. Sounds like Jihadists in training to me. Yet they're being treated like 2 good ol' boys from the South that are cought with some moonshine and a few roman candles around the 4th of July.

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune
Published: Sep 15, 2007
TAMPA - A laptop computer deputies found when they pulled over two University of South Florida students in South Carolina contained a video made by one of the men showing how to use a toy to detonate a bomb remotely, a federal prosecutor said Friday.
On that video, the student, Ahmed Mohamed, said the detonator could "save one who wants to be a martyr for another day, another battle," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hoffer said.
The prosecutor said that video was posted by Mohamed on YouTube, a popular Web site.
Also on the laptop were "jihadi" images and footage of rockets used by Hamas, Hoffer said.
Although a judge granted bail for the other student, Youssef Megahed, prosecutors immediately appealed, delaying his release until at least next week. Mohamed waived his right to a bail hearing.
Hoffer disclosed the computer evidence Friday as he laid out the prosecution's case that Megahed should be denied bail because he is a danger to the community and a flight risk.
U.S. Magistrate Elizabeth Jenkins ruled Megahed could be released on $200,000 bail if he meets a number of strict conditions, including what amounts to house arrest. "I do agree he poses a danger, no question about that, based on what was found in the car," Jenkins said. She also said the government failed to demonstrate a specific danger to the community, as required by law.
Hoffer acknowledged under questioning from the judge that he had no specific evidence of Megahed's intentions. Hoffer said that under the current charge, Megahed likely faces less than three years in prison if convicted.
A defense attorney maintained his client was not dangerous and that he has strong ties to the community and no record of violence. The federal courtroom was packed with Megahed's family members and friends, and Jenkins said she had received numerous letters in Megahed's support.
Neither the defense nor the prosecution presented sworn testimony during the hearing.
Megahed's public defender, Adam Allen, said there was no evidence his client made or saw the video that prosecutors said Mohamed made.
Both defendants are Egyptian citizens. Megahed is a legal, permanent resident of the Unites States, and Mohamed is here on a student visa.
Hoffer said that when deputies in South Carolina pulled the pair over for speeding on Aug. 4, they saw Megahed, who was the passenger, trying to put away the laptop computer that belonged to Mohamed. When investigators analyzed the computer, they found that the last-viewed images showed Qassam rockets, which are used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Also on the computer were videos of discussions of martyrdom and videos showing the firing of M-16 rifles, Hoffer said.
'Explosive Mixture'
In the trunk, deputies found four small sections of PVC pipe, at least three of which were stuffed with a "potassium nitrate explosive mixture" of potassium nitrate, Karo syrup and kitty litter, Hoffer said. He said the kitty litter served as a binder to keep the substance from coming out of the pipes, which were not capped.
Investigators also found a container of gasoline, 20 feet of safety fuse and an electric drill, which Hoffer said could be used to drill holes in the pipe so fuses could be attached.
"Obviously, that raised the hackles of law enforcement in South Carolina," Hoffer said. "That's why we're here."

Sept. '07 Palestinian Attacks Stats

Here are the September 2007 stats for the rockets, grenades, gunfire etc. from Israel's peace loving neighborbors - the "Palestinians".

Overdosing on O.J. Simpson, Brittany, etc.

Who cares about OJ and Brittany? Why does the media spend sooo much time - hour after boring and vacuous hour - discussing these two people? They and many others belong on the list of "People I and my children shouldn't emulate". Period.

Madonna meets with Israeli president - Yahoo! News

Sat Sep 15, 6:06 PM ET
JERUSALEM - Madonna met with Israel's president Saturday during a visit to attend a conference on Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical sect she has embraced despite criticism from Orthodox Jews.
The pop star was seen entering Shimon Peres' home in Jerusalem with husband Guy Ritchie after the end of the Jewish New Year at sunset Saturday. The Nobel Peace laureate gave Madonna a copy of the Old Testament that she had requested, Israeli TV reported.

He continues his infatuation with Hollywood. Don't forget his 80th birthday bash when he invited his closest pals, Kathleen Turner, Naomi Campbell, etc.

17th Century Palestine

17th Century Palestine

In a "book, entitled Palestina ex monumentis veteribus illustrate documents a survey of the Holy Land made in 1695 by its author, Hadriani Relandi. Relandi, a geographer and a cartographer with a full command of numerous languages including Hebrew, Arabic and classical Greek, visited over 2500 biblically referenced sites in the Holy Land.
So what are some of the things we learn about Palestine circa 1696?
1. Not one place in Eretz Israel has a name that originates in Arabic.Place names are Hebrew, Greek or Roman (Latin), that were given meaningless Arabic derivations. Akko, Haifa, Yafo, Nablus, Gaza or Jenin have no meaning in Arabic, and city names like Ramallah, Al-Khalil and Al-Quds lack historic or philological Arab roots. In 1696, the year of the survey, Ramallah was called Bt’ala (=Beit-El), Hebron was Chevron, and the Cave of the Machpela was Al-Khalil, Arabic for patriarch Avraham.
2. The country was a wasteland. Its few inhabitants were concentrated in cities like Jerusalem, Acre, Safed, Jaffa, Tiberias and Gaza. Most of the city folk were Jewish or Christian, and only a few Muslims, usually Bedouins. Nablus (Shechem)was an exception, home to some 120 Muslims and 70 Shomronim (Samaritans). Natzeret (Nazareth), capital of the Galilee, was inhabited by 700 Christians. Some 5000 people lived in Jerusalem, most of them Jews. Interestingly, Muslims are mentioned only as nomadic Bedouins, who served as seasonal agriculture and construction workers. The population of Gaza was equally divided between Jews and Christians. The Jews raised grapes, olives and wheat crops (Gush Katif), while the Christians were occupied in commerce and transportation of goods. Safed and Tiberias also had Jewish communities, but the only occupation mentioned is fishing in the Sea of Galilee. A city like Um-al-Fahm, for example, is mentioned as a small village consisting of 10 Christian families, with a small Maronite church.
3. Relandi’s book completely refutes postmodern theories about a Palestinian nation or a “Palestinian tradition”, and reinforces Jewish ownership of the land, to the total exclusion of the Arabs, who even stole and adopted the Latin name of Palestine. 700 years of Arab rule in Spain, for example, have left a real cultural Moorish legacy of literature, architecture, engineering, medicine and the like. Andalusia and Guadalajara are undeniable facts, whereas in Israel, there is nothing that is Arab: no city names, no culture or art, no history, and no evidence of Arab rule. There is only a legacy of violence and robbery of the Jews’ promised, most sacred land. "

Some interesting points about the history of the today's "Palestinian" people.

[Hat tip: Jewlicious]

Islamic Jihad militants participate in a training exercise near the border with the southern Gaza Strip September 10, 2007. The training exercise is part of preparations by the militants to face what they believe to be an impending Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA)

Forgive me for such blasphemy, but why isn't the IDF bombing their training camps and exercises?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, speaks during a media conference with Portugal's Foreign Minister Luis Amado, not seen at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Amado is on an official visit to Israel and the West Bank. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

..."Huh?? Give up terrorism? Are you crazy?"

Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners delayed | Reuters.ca

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is unlikely to release from prison 100 members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, an Israeli government official said on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who will meet Abbas in Jerusalem on Monday, had been expected to announce the gesture ahead of Ramadan, which begins with the sighting of the new moon this week.
"It's a very low likelihood that it will be done before Ramadan," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"These are real acute issues that we have to think about. It's something that will be done. But it's not going to be a gesture for Ramadan."

How about in honor of Rosh HaShanna, Yom Kippur and Succos the Arabs stop firing rockets, or remove the death cult brainwashing from their TV, or ...

Just a thought but I'm not holding my breath.

Arab League, Egypt say Israel hurting peace effort

Arab League, Egypt say Israel hurting peace effort
Fri 7 Sep 2007, 12:09 GMT
CAIRO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The Arab League said on Friday Israeli infiltrations of Syrian airspace, reported by Syria, were unacceptable and called into question Israel's commitment to achieving regional peace.
Egypt's foreign ministry also said the Israeli violations added to tension in the region.

The pourous border between Egypt and Gaza has nothing to do with tensions in the area? Allowing or at the very least, being "asleep at the wheel" as smugglers traffic in anti-tank missles, guns, ammo, supplies to create Kassam rockets, etc. doesn't contribute to tensions in the area?

Syria accused Israel of bombing its territory on Thursday and said it could respond to the Jewish state's "aggression and treachery".
Israel declined to comment on the charge by Syria, which said no casualties or damage were caused. The Syrian accusation was partly responsible for triggering a rise in world oil prices of more than $1.40 a barrel.
"These unacceptable manoeuvres reveal negative Israeli intentions toward current discussions to achieve peace in the Middle East," an Arab League statement quoted Secretary-General Amr Moussa as saying.

So Hamas raining Kassam rockets on a daily basis is OK? Lebanon allowing Hizbollah to operate with unbridled restrainst from the Lebanese government is OK? The PA doing nothing to quell "violence" and allowing, harboring and promoting terrorists and terrorism for all these years is OK?

"These violations add only tension to the region at a time when all parties should work on pacifying the situation, not making it worse," the Egyptian foreign ministry statement said.

Had They Been Two White Kids, No One Would Have Cared ... about, y'know, those Pipe Bombs

CAIR calls them "fireworks" & then Islamaphobia
The local police and Federal authorities call the pipe bombs.

Had They Been Two White Kids, No One Would Have Cared ... about, y'know, those Pipe Bombs
[Andy McCarthy]
But, alas, they were Muslims so everybody cares. Or, better yet, CAIRs.
Yes, that execrable organization and it's official Sami al-Arian-pom-pom-wavin' spokesman, Ahmed Bedier, are at it again.
First, Bedier pronounced, before anything approaching an investigation could have been done, that the two Egyptian Muslims who were arrested over the weekend in South Carolina, were totally innocent: Just a couple of "really naive kids" (ages 21 and 26) who happened to have some "fireworks" in their car as they made their way on one of those crazy college kid field trips ... one that just happened to take them by Goose Creek where the the U.S. Naval Weapons Station is located, many miles from Tampa, where they attend the University of South Florida's School of Engineering.
And, here, well, let's just say we end up with one of those you-just-can't-make-it-up coincidences: That happens be the same USF School of Engineering that served as home base for former Professor Sami al-Arian while he was laboring for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. And, whaddya know, Al-Arian's case was the last time we were hearing so regularly from Bedier. By the end, in spring 2006, he was boldly pronouncing that Sami would stick to his guns. He would not under any circumstances plead guilty to any terrorism offenses because there was "no conspiracy to support terrorism." That turned out to be right before al-Arian pled guilty to conspiracy to provide services to a designated terrorist organization. He's since been deported.
Now Bedier is once again on the case for Ahmed Abda Sherf Mohamed and Yousef Samir Megahed, the really naive kids with the, er, fireworks. Of course, Bedier wants you to understand, he and CAIR are absolutely, positively, opposed to terrorism, without reservation. Why, he even made a point of saying, "If it's clearly a pipe bomb that's a different story. Then there is cause for concern."
Well, guess what? Police say it was actually several pipe bombs and formally charged the men with possession of an explosive device (a felony under South Carolina law, punishable by up to 15 years' imprisonment).

Final Summer Aliyah Flight Brings 210 Americans Home To Israel - Good News - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

Final Summer Aliyah Flight Brings 210 Americans Home To Israel - Good News - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was on hand Tuesday morning to welcome to Israel 210 new immigrants from the US and Canada. Their arrival marks the end of a record summer for immigration from North America and Britain.
The group of North American olim (immigrants to Israel) arrived by plane at Terminal One of the Ben-Gurion International Airport. Their flight was organized and chartered by Their arrival marks the end of a record summer for immigration from North America and Britain.Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN), an organization dedicated to promoting Aliyah (Israeli immigration) among Western Jews. Tuesday's flight was the 15th of its kind since this March. Over the past six years, NBN has assisted some 12,000 people to immigrate to the Jewish State.

Kol Hakavod to all the Olim! Check out the pictures thanks to Jacob Richman.

Former US President Jimmy Carter calls for 'balanced' Middle East debate - International Herald Tribune

Former US President Jimmy Carter calls for 'balanced' Middle East debate - International Herald Tribune:

Another perfect of example of someone being so open-mided that his brain falls out.

"In a new afterword to his controversial 'Palestine Peace Not Apartheid' book, former President Jimmy Carter criticizes the lack of 'balanced debate' in the United States about the Middle East and warns officials against being 'seen as knee-jerk supporters of every action and policy' of the Israeli government."

So let's see who is on the other side of the debate. Hamas, Hizbollah, Islamic Jihad and all the other murderous thugs and miscreants that subscribe to a culture of death that is hell-bent on making, certainly Israel, Judenrein.

So just where is the debate with people who believe:

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives,
proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain
endeavors."

"After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion", and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying."

Hillary endorsements

Castro's tip: Clinton-Obama the winning ticket Politics Reuters:

"The word today is that an apparently unbeatable ticket could be Hillary for president and Obama as her running mate," he wrote in an editorial column on U.S. presidents published on Tuesday by Cuba's Communist Party newspaper, Granma.

Yes, free advice from the Communist dictator to the United States, the home of free elections. So exactly who is running against Fidel in Cuba's next election?

And according to Sky Showbiz Fiddycent adds his 2 cents
Last Updated: 12:33 UK, Monday September 03, 2007

I'd like to see Hillary Clinton be president. It would be nice to see a woman be
the actual president and... this is a way for us to have Bill Clinton be
president again, and he did a great job during his term."

So just what is an "actual" president? Are male presidents "virtual" presidents? If Hillary is elected how would Bill be president again? Inquiring minds want to know.

Daily rocket fire does more than "disrupt"

Daily rocket fire disrupts life in Israeli towns, villages near Gaza
The Associated Press
September 3, 2007

JERUSALEM: A rocket fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza exploded next to a day-care center in the Israeli town of Sderot on Monday.

Traffic disrupts life; a cell phone ringing in a meeting disrupts the meeting; a flat tire disrupts life. Daily rocket fire does more than "disrupt" life.

Perhaps the editor who penned this headline should move to Sderot to understand what really happens when rockets rain on the place where one and one's family live, work and attend school. Me thinks the editor would have a whole different perspective as well as a different verb.

Also what happened to the rest of the rockets that were fired and landed in Sderot? Don't they count as well?

Fatah Supporters, Hamas Men Clash During Gaza City Protest - WSJ.com

Associated PressAugust 31, 2007 1:17 p.m.
GAZA CITY, Gaza City -- A protest of Hamas rule by Fatah supporters turned violent Friday when Hamas men began forcefully dispersing the crowd, firing in the air and beating demonstrators.
About 20 people were injured in the clashes, including children, according to doctors and witnesses.
The violence began at the end of a Fatah prayer meeting held to protest Hamas, which seized control of the coastal territory in June. A similar protest a week ago also ended in clashes and harassment of journalists. Fatah had called its supporters to hold weekly Friday prayers in the open throughout the Gaza Strip to protest what they said was persecution of its members in Hamas-controlled mosques.
After hundreds of Fatah supporters finished prayers in Gaza City, a group of worshippers pelted Hamas-controlled buildings with stones and pipe bombs. Some shouted insults at Hamas officials, including "Shiites," in reference to the group's links to Iran.
Hamas men began firing into the air to disperse the crowd. In a frenzy, Hamas security forces then began arresting protesters and taking them away in jeeps, chasing them in the streets and also beating several demonstrators. AP Television News video showed several uniformed Hamas men beating an unarmed protester with long sticks. A similar protest in Rafah broke up when Hamas men fired in the air. Stun grenades also landed in the crowd, injuring the two children.
A statement from President Mahmoud Abbas's office in Ramallah said the crackdown on protesters "aims to impose a blind dictatorship and an extremist culture that contradicts the values of our people and their heritage."

Exactly how does this contradict the "...values of our people..." ? The PLO with Abbas as the #2 man "behind" Arafat perpetrated Ma'alot killing school children, the PLO perfected hijacking and blowing up other innocent people eating pizza and enjoying ice cream, etc. So exactly how does Hamas arresting and beating protesters contradict the values of these people?

"The events in the Gaza Strip prove to everyone that the [Hamas] coup is nearing its end. Our heroic people in Gaza will not be terrorized by these mercenaries," the statement said.

Just like on June 20, 2007 Abbbas called Hamas terrorists and there shouldn't be any dialogue with those terrorists - except for the calls from Jimmy Carter, Arafat's personal speech writer. I guess one man's "terrorist" is another man's "freedom fighter"

Hamas men in civilian clothes had also joined the uniformed forces in dispersing the protest, beating protesters with sticks.
A small explosion from an unknown source injured two French journalists, but neither was seriously hurt. A Hamas security spokesman said stun grenades and pipe bombs were used by the protesters.
Ihab al-Ghusain, the Hamas security spokesman, said "rioting is unacceptable in the law ... they had to be contained in anyway possible, according to the law."
After the clashes, heavily armed Hamas security agents entered AP's offices in Gaza City and instructed staff not to film or photograph a nearby security building from the balcony without prior permission.

The BBC should have an easy time filling this position:

BBC offers Palestinians 'support'

The BBC has been advertising for a “Project Director, Palestinian Territories” to advise Palestinian journalists.


[Hat tip: Hot Air and Daled Amos ]

Hamas = Violence

Nothing in life is a coincidence. As such, in this past week's haftorah for Parshas Ki Savo, Issiah 60:18, I find it interesting that the word "HAMAS" (ches, mem, samech) appears. ( I think we'll see it again in Parshas Noah Genesis 6:11. Although in Parshas Noah I always thought it meant more like lawlessness or anarchy). In the two english translations that I've seen, they translate the word "hamas" as "violence".

To paraphrase this past week's haftorah, "Let there be no more Hamas, Hezbollah, Fatah, Islamic Jihad, Al-Kayda, etc. in your land..."

Disclaimer: I am not a Rabbi nor do I portray a Rabbi in real life nor on TV. I am just a poor boy though my story is often told...

Hamas sets hefty bail for Fatah activists it arrested at Gaza opposition rally - International Herald Tribune

Hamas sets hefty bail for Fatah activists it arrested at Gaza opposition rally
The Associated Press

The Associated Press
Published: September 1, 2007

He says in a sarcastic tone...
Shouldn't the countries that support Hamas exercise their influence and help secure the release of these prisioners as a "good will gesture" to Abbas in or help foster peace between Hamas and Fatah and peace in the Middle East? If Israel is releasing murderers and murderers-in-training shouldn't Hamas release a bunch of protesters or at least reduce the bail amount. I sure Hamas could have them recite a few chapters from the Koran and promise to be nice.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: Hamas authorities on Saturday set a hefty bail for the release of the Fatah activists it arrested following a Gaza protest rally, in yet another crackdown against its vanquished rival.
Hamas overthrew Fatah in five days of fighting in June, overtaking the Gaza Strip, and has since been attempting to establish its authority and thwart any forms of dissent.
On Friday, Hamas men violently dispersed a crowd of Fatah protesters, firing in the air and beating demonstrators. Some 20 people were wounded in the clashes, including two French journalists and two children, according to doctors and witnesses. Scores of protesters were arrested.
The violence began at the end of a Fatah prayer session it held outdoors to protest against Hamas, which it says is persecuting its members in Hamas-controlled mosques.
The PLO Executive Committee, a top Fatah decision-making body, was set to meet later Saturday in Ramallah upon the request of Abbas to discuss Friday's clashes in Gaza. It was expected to denounce Hamas for its aggression against the Fatah protesters.

Yes, yes, denounce. But PLO Executive Committe doesn't seem to mind kassam rockets raining down on Israel.

Today in Africa & Middle East
Fatah officials said 170 of its members remained in Hamas custody Saturday. Some of those released emerged from their arrest with their heads shaved — a humiliating gesture.

Sounds worse than Abu-Ghrab and Guantanimo to me. Quick call HRW and the UN this can continue no more! How much can they take?

Hamas said it released most of those arrested and that only about 20 remained in detention.
But Hamas demanded a 1,000 shekel ($243, €178) bail for the release, about a month's salary in the impoverished Gaza Strip, where 60 percent live under the poverty line.
"I consider this a theft. What is the crime I committed?" said Ahmad Siam, 33, whose father paid the sum for his freedom. "I didn't commit a crime to pay that money."
Ihab al-Ghusain, a Hamas security spokesman, said the money would be reimbursed in six months if the offenders pledged not to resume "rioting or illegal activities."
"This is a legal measure. It is a way to bring the person to reconsider their action. Money might be the way to prevent these chaotic acts," he said.
The legal system in Gaza stopped functioning after Hamas took over the coastal strip in June. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fired the Hamas-led government, formed a new government of moderates in the West Bank and ordered judges, prosecutors and police to stop cooperating with Gaza's new rulers.
Last week, Hamas appointed its own prosecution team in Gaza, which Saturday imposed the hefty bail.
Ibrahim Abu Naja, a Fatah official in Gaza, said his group would not pay up.
"This is a serious precedent," he said. "The decisions adopted are illegal. This is tantamount to occupation (laws)," he said, referring to Israel's rule over the Gaza Strip, which ended in 2005.
Families of some detainees said they could not afford to pay the bail, and said they would organize another rally if their sons were not released.
Khalil Abu Shamala, a human rights activist in Gaza, said both the detention and the bail demand were illegal.
"The whole legal system in Gaza is destroyed and defunct," he said. "On what basis can they arrest, detain, question and then set bail?"
Friday's protests also erupted in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, and were broken up by Hamas men firing in the air and hurling stun grenades into the crowd.
An Egyptian man on Egypt's side of the Rafah border crossing was struck by a stray bullet from the clashes, according to hospital officials there.
Issa Said Atya Ibrahim, 36, was struck while standing in front of his house in the el-Barahma village, some 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of the crossing, said Emad Kharboush, head of the emergency room at el-Arish hospital. Ibrahim underwent surgery and was in stable condition, Kharboush said.
Also Saturday, thousands of flag-waving Hamas supporters gathered at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to demand it be reopened. Hamas said some 15,000 were participating in the rally and its gunmen were firing in the air to keep the crowds away from the terminal. The border, Gaza's only gateway to the outside world, has been shut since the Hamas takeover. Hamas charges that Abbas' government does not want the crossing opened because that would help the Islamic group hold on to power in Gaza.
"This is a peaceful protest to voice our message that we are looking for freedom," said Issa Mashar a top Hamas leader in Rafah. "We came to send a message from the people who are suffering."
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Associated Press Writer Ibrahim Barzak contributed to this report from Rafah, Gaza Strip