Report: Al-Qaeda Spells Out Iraq Attack Strategy in Handbook

It seems that an al Queda document covering their early 2004 strategy in Iraq has been found and authenticated.

"We consider that the Spanish government cannot suffer more than two to three strikes before pulling out (of Iraq) under pressure from its own people," said the document obtained Wednesday by AFP from Raido France Internationale's regional office in Beirut.

"If these (Spanish) forces remain after the strikes, the victory of the socialist party would be near-guaranteed and the pullout of Spanish forces from Iraq would be on its agenda," said the document, distributed ahead of the March 11 attacks in Madrid.

Pegged the Spanish.

But most of the chapter is about Spain, considering that the pullout of Spanish troops would "constitute a pressure on the British (military) presence that (Prime Minister) Tony Blair would not be able to bear."

Underrated the Brits.

"They should not carry out any operation targeting the daily life of the Iraqi people or its future, such as the basic services or education, except for oil which should not be exploited under occupation," it said.

So, we're not the only ones playing the "hearts and minds" game. Hmmmm ... seems like continued terror and suppression might be a hard sell compared to freedom and a better, safer life for future Iraqi generations.

We might pull this off yet, if we stand fast at the ramparts. I still call it iffy; we may have pulled off the freedom of South Vietnam had not the American left seized defeat from the jaws of victory after Tet.

NYC Issues GOP Convention Protest Permits

The unionists, abortionists, socialists, pacifists and miscellaneous useful idiots are picking up their protest permits to turn New York city into a circus during the Republican's national convention.

Late Wednesday, police announced additional permits to groups including the Christian Defense Coalition, Planned Parenthood (news - web sites), the Middle East Peace Coalition and People for the American Way. Demonstrations, prayer vigils and rallies by these organizations would be held from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

But United for Peace and Justice and city officials are to meet again Friday to discuss the anti-war group's application for a rally and march for 250,000 people on convention eve, said Bill Dobbs, a spokesman for the group.

What? No sign of ANSWER? And who is going to give anybody the Brooklyn Bridge for a protest?

Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against protesting. Protesting is a fundamental right in our nation. I guess my problem is with the silly protesters. I don't know what the union people will do or how they'll protest. Heck, I don't even know what they'll be protesting, as I've seen nothing anti-union from Bush to date. However, the abortionists will have their same silly signs and silly chants and coathangers. The communists, socialists and pacifists will have their own silly signs and silly chants and many will generally look like they need showers and are just trying to leap back to the Sixties.

Here's an idea, protester person, shower, shave (that goes for male and female), dress normally and carry a sign that, without falsehood, profanity and exaggeration, expresses a valid point. That is how to get mainstream America to take notice. Freaks may get more media attention, but the average American looks at the photos and television segments, only to sigh and mutter, "Great, more freaks." No message conveyed.

Local News: Man Found Dead Inside Portable Restroom

The Dallas Morning News is reporting a body showing up in an unusual location.

Irving police are investigating the death of a man found inside a portable restroom near the 5100 block of Riverside Drive, officials said Wednesday.

An Irving Parks and Recreation Department employee discovered the man shortly after 3 a.m. during a routine check near a parking lot inside Campion Trails, police said.

The unidentified man is described as a white male in his 40s. Police said they are investigating the death as a possible homicide due to signs of trauma to the body.

Investigators are also looking at the possibility that the man’s injuries occurred at another location.

Police said they were still investigating the man’s identity, time and cause of death pending autopsy results.

Anyone with information can call the Irving Police Department at (972) 721-2518.

Reaping the whirlwind

USNews.com: Fouad Ajami: Reaping the whirlwind (6/28/04)
An intriguing look at what the Saudis face now that the terror they allowed to be loosed upon the world comes home.

You can't bless terror in the streets of Jerusalem and condemn it in Arabia: Once emboldened, as they have been in recent years, the religious extremists were bound to think that the battle for Arabia itself might yet be won.

Army Recalling Thousands Who Left Service

The Army announced today that it will be calling up 5,600 troops from the Inactive Ready Reserve to active duty.

In a new sign of the strain the insurgency in Iraq has put on the U.S. military, Army officials said Tuesday the involuntary callups will begin in July and run through December. It is the first sizable activation of the Individual Ready Reserve since the 1991 Gulf War (news - web sites), though several hundred people have voluntarily returned to service since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

I'm certain that many of my devoted, long-time readers (this would be a good place to throw in one of those insipid winking emoticons) are concerned about my status. Upon joining the National Guard, I signed up in the standard 6-year active reserve, 2-year IRR enlistment. After my six years, I re-upped for another three years, thus completing any IRR obligation. Despite being home free since 1999 and getting up in years, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't wrestled with re-enlisting every day since 9/11. I've even gone through the trouble of verifying that I am still eligible and, yes, because of my nine years, I'm good until about age 44.

The Army is pinpointing certain skills in short supply, like medical specialists, military police, engineers, transportation specialists and logistics experts.

Alas! Apparently they currently have no dire need of my specialty, M1-A1 tank crewman. Oh well, the wrestling match between my civilian life and my sense of duty continues.

Harry Potter Book 6 Title Released

Money Magazine has confirmed the title of the upcoming sixth volume in the highly successful Harry Potter series.

The sixth book in the popular Harry Potter series will be titled "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," the books' author J.K. Rowling has announced.

Looks like another midnight at Barnes & Noble with the girlfriend in the near future.

Iraq to Get Legal Custody of Hussein Wed.

Well, it looks like the Iraqis will officially be taking control of Saddam.

Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) will be transferred to Iraqi legal custody and face charges in an Iraqi court this week — but he won't go on trial for months and he will stay in a U.S.-run jail because the country doesn't have a suitable prison, the prime minister said Tuesday.

Unfortunately, I'm sure he'll be treated better than the Italians treated Mussolini.

On the way: I Wasn't Always a Republican...

...just mostly.

Probably my biggest personal political regret was being too young to ever vote for Ronald Reagan, missing the voting age in 1984 by less than a year and a half.

I first heard of the Libertarian Party during the 1980 campaign. It is the only time offhand that I can recall seeing any television spots for the party and, probably not coincidentally, it was the party's high mark in Presidential voting. Edward Clark received 921,128 votes that year, almost doubling the party's second best showing of 485,798 in '96. To be honest, at the time I knew very little of what the party stood for and was quite happy in the bliss of my Republican roots.

In the years between the '84 Reagan landslide and the first Presidential election I would be eligible to vote in (1988), I began looking more closely into the Libertarian Party. Through my investigations and re-examinations of my own beliefs, I gradually decided that I'm about 75% Republican and 75% Libertarian. I know that's 150%, but only if you think the stances of the two parties never overlap.

In '88, I supported Alexander Haig for the Republican nomination, but he was out of the contest long before the Texas primary rolled around. My allegiance and my primary vote switched to Jack Kemp. Then-Vice-President Bush was my third choice, and I was at peace with his nomination and was supporting him against Dukakis. My general election vote, however, went to Dr. Ron Paul, who was a Libertarian from Texas at the time and is now a Republican Congressman.

The pattern continued in subsequent Presidential elections, supporting the Republican and voting for the Libertarian. Hey, this was post-1980 Texas and the electoral votes have been a lock for the GOP. I always envisioned my Libertarian vote as an idealistic but harmless statement. I say idealistic statement because there is on part about the Libertarian Party's membership process that has always bothered me:

YES, sign me up as a member of the Libertarian Party. I certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals.

In fact, the party platform is almost entirely devoid of the concept of national defense.

I did, in 1999, accept a membership card from the Libertarian Party and gave them a small donation, but I did so without signing this portion of the card. They didn't seem to mind. I have since let this membership slip by the wayside. I love several of the Libertarians' ideals but, as a Reagan Revolutionary and a devout believer in the proven concept of Peace Through Strength, I can not agree with this statement regarding initiation of action. I especially see it as out of step with reality in the post-9/11 world.

Besides, I have another reason for not supporting Bush and voting Libertarian this year, even though my vote won't have an effect on the Texas electoral votes. That reason is simply this: it's one vote closer to not having to hear the liberals whine about winning the popular vote, as if that ever mattered.

Iraq Handed Sovereignty Two Days Early

Breaking news all over the place that the Coalition Provisional Authority has handed power over to Iraq, catching the world (and probably some terrorists) off guard.

The handover of sovereignty took place earlier in the day, at 10:26 a.m. Baghdad time. The transfer of power came two days before the June 30 deadline previously announced by the U.S.-led coalition.

It's like I've always said, sovereignty handoffs are always more pleasant sans the carbombs.

Gunner, sabot, tank!

Identified!
Fire!
On the way!
Target, cease fire.
--Tank fire command sequence between commander and gunner

Well, as I'm new to the blogging realm, I have set my goals for this page at what I feel are minimal and realistic levels. From an undetermined future launch date, I plan to post at least one link with commentary per day and at least one original piece per week. Vacations, though rarely taken, will be excluded from these rather low targets. The "official" launch date will be when I have my first original work (probably some brief bio stuff) and am happy with the look of the site. I may throw a few links up before the launch, though.

The majority of the stuff I put on this page will be political, although I reserve the right to put in anything from Aggie football to military history to movie reviews to what I had for lunch.

Well, let's just see how it goes.