A Muslim on Barack's hypocrisy

From Talk Straight - Obama's Jihad

"Jihad is an Arabic word that means struggle. Jihad can be a 2-mile-run, a degree, a diet, a mortgage, a job, etc. Here the word “Jihad” is not used to refer to anyone as a terrorist as we all struggle (go through Jihad) every single day.

Being a Muslim, my insight makes this easy to write. I would like to start by saying that I condemn the acts of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, etc., and their views do not reflect mine and many other Muslim’s alike. I also believe that, through my own reading of history, Israel has the right to exist. I would also like to say that I am happy Saddam Hussein has been overthrown and I believe that Muslim governments like Saudi Arabia and Iran should be overthrown. I believe that a republic form of government is the best way to govern and that the government should not be able to tell you how to live your life, as is the the case in Iran and Saudi Arabia."

Star Wars Defense for American Cyber Security

In the 1980's Ronald Reagan sent our nation on the path of nuclear security by investing in the Star Wars defense system. I'm no expert, so I don't even know that we got all the way to the level that he envisioned, but we did invest heavily in innovation and one result was the fall of the Soviet Union. To be frank, no one in the world can keep up when we join together and decide to research and innovate.

"Since July 20, Internet security experts have been tracking coordinated cyber attacks on Georgia’s Internet infrastructure. It is still unclear to what extent the Russian military directly carried out these attacks, but two things are known for sure: 1) the traffic patterns and servers used in the attack are “overwhelmingly coming out of Russia” and 2) the attacks coincided with conventional Russian military action. Military experts believe the Georgian conflict is the first time cyber warfare has been used alongside a conventional war." From Morning Call: Cyber Wake-up

I think this is the next frontier for Star Wars (sorry for mixing the metaphors) and that we as a nation need to join together and develop the best cyber security and cyber attack capabilities.

Pakistan - President resigns amidst democracy

"ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Nuclear-armed Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government ..."

I know that security and nuclear officials are worried about these events this morning, but frankly this is a functioning democracy taking back over from a dictatorship in the form of military junta. We should support this democracy just as firmly as Georgia or Kosovo.

Pakistan's Musharraf resigns

India worries about renewed tensions with Musharraf gone

Pakistani President addressed his nation on TV

STATEMENT BY JOHN MCCAIN ON THE RESIGNATION OF PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF

For Immediate Release	Contact: Press Office
Monday, August 18, 2008	703-650-5550

ARLINGTON, VA – Today, U.S. Senator John McCain issued the following statement on the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf:

“The resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing. Pakistan is a critical theater in countering the threat of al Qaeda and violent Islamic extremism, and I look forward to the government increasing its future cooperation.

“There are serious problems that must be addressed. The situation in Pakistan’s frontier regions requires immediate and continued attention, and I hope that the elections for President Musharraf’s successor will serve to reconcile the Pakistani people behind a leader who can solidify their government internally. It is critical that the United States continue to work in partnership with the Pakistani people and their democratically elected government to tackle the many challenges we both face

Sheridan Folger

Indiana Bloggers Gather in Indy

daltonsbriefs My quickie thoughts on @blogindiana today http://tinyurl.com/5p2myv

My report, although brief, on the get together today of Indiana bloggers. Well worth the time, and one more day to go. If you're in Indy on Sunday, come on over, only $25.00

Two controversial ideas for the economy

Bloggers tend to promote debate and controversy, here are two economic ideas foisted upon the blogosphere this morning for your thoughts:

If Exxon Mobile is paying $4,000 a second in taxes, let's reduce their taxes so they have the time and the inclination to explore and drill more domestically. If you've watched the House Republican revolt and the #dontgo oil drilling vote movement, wherein Republicans are demanding the right to vote up or down on more oil drilling, then you know that roughly 66% of the American electorate wants to let oil companies drill offshore.

Economic and markets blogger Porfolio.com talking about Greenspan's ideas and predictions for the economy, with typical ability to twist everything more negative, did compliment Greenspan on a possible solution for housing which involves allowing more immigrants from Mexico ... I would suggest combining this with re-instituting the down payment assistance program that was killed last month by Congress (using no government money, handled by not for profits and sellers of properties)

But the bit of the interview where Paul Kedrosky laughed out loud actually made perfect sense to me.

He did offer one suggestion: "The most effective initiative, though politically difficult, would be a major expansion in quotas for skilled immigrants," he said. The only sustainable way to increase demand for vacant houses is to spur the formation of new households. Admitting more skilled immigrants, who tend to earn enough to buy homes, would accomplish that while paying other dividends to the U.S. economy.

What's wrong with this? Paul's heavy on the sarcasm but light on any substantive criticism:

Awesome. Why wait around for sovereign wealth funds to bail the U.S. out when you can simply invite foreigners in and suggest they buy real estate? Alan's soo-oooo clever.

Greenspan's point is that letting in more skilled foreigners will increase demand for real estate, whether you "suggest" anything to them or not. They'll need somewhere to live, after all, and they'll be perfectly capable of paying their housing costs, whether they rent or buy. Admittedly, this will be more effective for housing prices in LA or Miami than it will for housing prices in Detroit. But it does seem to be a reasonably elegant partial solution to the housing crisis.

There you have it, the two areas where our economy needs the most help ... Gasoline prices need to come back down below $3.00 and housing values need to level off and inventories be reduced. Decrease taxes on Exxon (and allow offshore drilling) and increase the quota of immigrants from Mexico and let us have the Seller Assisted Downpayment Assistance program back.

For more research on offshore drilling proposals

For more research on saving down payment assistance program

Another confirmed terror leader dead

But I'm sure that Obama, Pelosi, and Evan Bayh will say "it's only luck" or something like that.

Sorry folks but we're winning this battle in the larger War on Terror. I just copied from Mahalo, too swamped to write a nice post this afternoon.

August 12, 2008: Pakistani officials confirmed that Abu Saeed al-Masri, a top-level Al Qaeda commander, had been killed in Pakistan's tribal area of Bajuar. The death of al-Masri is the second confirmed death of a high-ranking Al Qaeda commander in less than a month. On August 3, Pakistan confirmed that biological weapons expert Abu Khabab Al-Masri was killed in an airstrike carried out by the CIA.

More thoughts on Georgian mini-war

I've been researching, reading, and commenting over the weekend on the actions taken by both Georgia and Russia starting Friday morning during the Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

First, there is no easy side to choose for America. Our ally is being attacked, but doing any more than applying pressure sure won't be a good thing for oil or our security. The Russians believe they are supporting the South Ossetian minority in Georgia, an ethnic group with a lot more ties to Russia than Georgia.

But ... would we be all that excited if Texas wanted to leave our union because they became more Mexican? Of course not.

What to do?

Chris Hedges reported today that Russia has also launched a cyberattack on Georgia.

Kevin Tracy suggests that Georgia isn't clean handed

My own research over the weekend on Georgia and South Ossetia

Islamic problems possible in China

Breaking from Gateway Pundit and BBC:

EXPLOSIONS IN CHINA-- Blasts Reported in Xinjiang Province

Several Explosions hit Xinjiang Province in China today.
The BBC reported:

Several explosions have hit the north-western Chinese province of Xinjiang, state media has reported.

It said there was sporadic gunfire after the blasts, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Earlier this week, 16 Chinese policemen were killed in an attack on a border post in the province, Xinhua reported.

Xinjiang is home to the Muslim Uighur people. Uighur separatists there have waged a low-level campaign against Chinese rule for decades.

Some research on South Ossetia

This won't be my most graphic post ever, I'm watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics while doing some research so I can better understand South Ossetia.

Obvious place to start, Wikipedia highlights:

"Most Ossetians are now Christian (approximately 61%); there is also a significant Muslim minority." (Sunni)
They speak Ossetic, an Indo-European language of the Iranian branch.
Most of the Ossetes today are Eastern Orthodox Christians. (I found quotes from both the Russian Patriarch and the Georgian Patriarch today asking for truce and peace from their parishioners)

Under the rule of Georgia's government during Soviet times, it enjoyed some degree of autonomy including speaking the Ossetian language and teaching it in schools

The Ossetians are descendants of a tribe called the Alans. Like the Georgians, the Ossetians are orthodox Christians, but they have their own language. In Soviet times the Ossetians had an autonomous region within Georgia. The Georgians say the Ossetians cooperated with the Bolsheviks and tended to be more pro-Soviet. Their ethnic kin live across the border in the Russian region of North Ossetia, so they feel more drawn to Russia than to Georgia - and many have Russian passports (from Q and A)

Oil: The pipeline that crosses Georgia can pump slightly more than 1 million barrels of crude oil per day, or more than 1 percent of the world's daily crude output. The 1,100-mile pipeline carries oil from Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea fields, estimated to hold the world's third-largest reserves. Its potential vulnerability was already in the spotlight after it was sabotaged this week, apparently by Kurdish separatists.

Note to self: All these sites are using the same talking points, I really need to dig past them and get to some meat from the locals. Help ... If you have links to resources I want a better understanding of this situation.

So far my thoughts:

• Russia wants South Ossetians to like them, if they tick them off they end up with problems with their own Ossetians on the north side of the border
• Georgia thought they could launch an attack during Olympics and we would back them against Russia
• Sounds like both sides need to get out of the province, and then do serious talks about the next stage

But, I'm still confused about when a people group, in this case 98% voted for separation, can actually get out of a country they don't like?

Another Update: From a commenter on Kevin Tracy's blog. And this person feels a whole lot different than what most American and Western media are reporting:

August, 9
After another night of fighting, Georgians still killing all the people which they can find in the ruined city, no matter military or civilians. They destroyed the only hospital, university and bakery. No food, no water, no help to the people there. Snipers are killing old people on the streets, who are slow and easy targeted. Russians take the nothern part of city, but still heavy fights and many Russian tanks are burning. Several aircrafts are shot down, seems that Georgian, but in Georgia reported to be Russian. Georgian TV says to the whole country that Tshinvally is under controlf of Georgian troops and the operation will soon be over. Russian TV shows the real picture from the battle field. It seems that many soldiers killed, but there are still many heavy fights.
Later Saakashvilly starts to blame “Russian Invaders, who attacked small Georgia”.
Then I see him on many western channes, they also show ruined Tskhinvally streets, BUT SAYING THAT THESE ARE STREETS OF GEORGIAN TOWNS, AFTER RUSSIAN BOMBINGS, but these are OSETIAN streets, after GEORGIAN BOMBINGS and attacks. There are cars with russian numbers, russian signs and what is more important: russian soldiers, walking peacefully in”Georgian bombed towns”. Do you think this is possible???

August 10: Tskhinvally is cleaned from Georgian troops (they always retreat when meet some resistance, this happened same 16 years ago and before). Saakashvilly says that he wants peace.
He difinitely wants now, after no forces left to attack. The mission complete! He is a victim of Russian bear(Medvedev is coming from word “bear” in russian… Everybody in the world is indignant by Russia bombing “poor little Georgia” with military budget of US$ 1 billion of American money during last year… But nobody remembers that they started killing women and children on last Thursday night, when everybody were asleep peacefully in their beds. Nobody knows that they has opened water pipe system to drown the rest of the poor people still hiding in the basements of Tskhinvally from the continuing missle and artillery attacks. This is how he want’s peace. New wonderful and touchy show arranged by America.

Update: Notes from friend in Sweden who's been to Georgia:

"Kosovo and Kurdistan are relatively easy AFAIC. Turkey as a country hasn't existed but since the end of WW I, and the Kurds happened to get swept up in it. I think it's reasonable that they should have a significant degree of independence. Kosovars are a completely separate ethnic group that happened not to get broken-off from Serbia in the Civil War.

I see some of the more difficult ethnic conflicts as including Russians who were moved to Latvia after June 1940 and are statless and the Basque/Catalan questions in Spain."

"Russia is trying to provoke Georgia. They've been doing it ever since Georgia declared independence and stepped it up after Sakhashvili got elected. Russian is the second-language in Armenia, which is very close with Russia, but as soon as you cross the border from Armenia into Georgia, you no longer see anything in Russian. I had better luck speaking French (what little I speak) than Russian in Georgia, and this shows the country's western orientation that annoys Putin to no end. First he banned Georgian wine (wine is a huge business in Georgia), then he raided Georgian restaurants in Moscow (Georgia has fabulous food that's very popular in Russia), and now he sends in the tanks.

The borders of Georgia are very old, dating to 600 BCE, and it's pretty clear to me that Georgia has a legitimate claim on both S. Ossetia and Abkhazia."

"South Ossetia is Georgian Othodox with a smattering of Muslims. It's an ancient offshoot of the original church, predating even the Council of Nicaea. Georgian Orthodox is an extremely conservative branch and they take it very seriously--a priest kicked me out of a church in Tblisi on a 95-degree day because I was wearing shorts.

Georgia is a hugely fractured country with dozens of ethnic groups (see also Abkhazia), many of them dating back to antiquity. The ethnic groups don't get along (see also Nagorno-Karabakh), and under Stalin many were uprooted and resettled. Now they are all mixed up but have rediscovered their ferocious ethnic nationalism (see also Chechnya)."

A possible power share in Zimbabwe

Mugabe and Tsvangirai meet (The First Post)
Robert Mugabe is to meet Morgan Tsvangirai today (Thursday) for direct talks on a power-sharing deal brokered by South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki suggested that Mugabe stay on as titular president of Zimbabwe with immunity from prosecution, while Tsvangirai, who won the country’s last credible election in March at the head of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), becomes prime minister. It is thought Mbeki will join the two in Harare either today or in the next few days, to help thrash out crucial disagreements over just how much power Mugabe is allowed to retain.

I've said lots of times here on this site, I don't know the background or the leaders all that well. I read the same stories that you all do. So if you know this to be spin or worse totally wrong, say so.

Russian Tanks cross into Georgia

While watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with my son this morning, lo and behold, the internet lights up with reports of Russian tanks breaking across national lines and invading Georgia ... and Georgian military reports of shooting down two (or four) Russian fighter planes.

It will probably take hours to get the real stories, but for sure there's a problem on the Russia-Georgia boundary, and we could see a localized war during the Olympics.

Live Olympics Opening Ceremony

I'm still searching for an English language feed, but for now here's one feed live right now, as soon as I find an English feed I'll update

Opening Ceremonies 2008 Olympics

Olympics - Women's Soccer team underwhelming

Update: Norway bests US in upset 2-0 to start the Olympics off. US faces Japan on Saturday at 4 a.m. Central time. Not a great start, but I bet they're happy in Norway.

At the 78 minute mark, the US Women's Soccer team is still down 2-0

They gave up two goals in the first five minutes of play, and haven't really been able to put much pressure on the Norwegians in the game. This is considered a substantial upset in the making. Welcome to the 2008 Olympics!

Olympics Crazy - A Hijacked Blog

Starting Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. this site will be hi-jacked and used entirely for Olympics and comments and photos and whatever else my kids and I think is important. Did I say Wednesday? Yep, the US women's soccer team plays Wednesday two days before the opening ceremonies.


Lots of TV coverage, 1200 hours to be exact, but even more online coverage starting Friday night after midnight with 2200 hours total! We are stoked at the Dalton household.

What's your favorite event? How will you watch, will you stay away from the internet and watch the big events in prime time delayed? Will you keep an eye on the internet but then know the winners early?

I saw on the site that this year will feature 205 counties, probably an all-time high. What a great event showcasing peaceful communication in sport. Something to learn for everyone.

Intrigue in nation-state-church relations

We are blessed here in the United States to have a true freedom of religion, where the government can not set up a national church nor differentiate due to church alignment. I think we assume that other democracies have this same freedom. Some do not.

Hat Tip to Kevin Tracy for his article entitled Ukrainian Schism avoided in the Russian Orthodox Church, a thought provoker, enough so that I read the original article in full that he refers to from Russia Profile.

Kevin: "I’ll try to simplify this as much as humanly possible. Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko (he’s the guy who got poisoned by an alleged clandestine agent of then-Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2005 and was left with a face that literally looked like it had gone through a cheese grater) tried to cause a Schism in the Russian Orthodox Church by encouraging the Ukrainian leaders in the Church to demand their own independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

Russia Profile: "Clearly, the idea of a national Ukrainian Orthodox Church fully independent from Moscow has been an obsession of the Ukrainian “nation builders” ever since the breakup of the Soviet Union. They see it as a missing pillar of Ukrainian sovereignty. Building upon the earlier attempts to create a breakaway church during the Civil War and under the Nazi occupation, such church groups reemerged in the early 1990s with the support of a nationalist movement and the first Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk. At least two such denominations number today about 5000 parishes, but they were never recognized by the world’s family of sister Orthodox Churches and are perceived as schismatic. The majority of Ukrainian Orthodox, however, remained loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, which granted an unprecedented degree of self government to what became the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). Today, it numbers about 11000 parishes. But it is exactly the symbolic connection to Russia that, on the one hand, attracts many people to this church and, on the other hand, makes it an object of hatred in the divided Ukrainian society."

My thoughts:

I know a Ukrainian, he was a very close friend for quite a few years. I found him to be loyal to a fault and easily angered when others didn't follow his decrees of loyalty. Why? The Ukrainians have been abused by literally hundreds of groups, with waves of history crashing over them each wave bringing some form of slavery or desolation. As each major people group took advantage of them, they subdued their desires for total independence and waited.

I believe the Ukrainians are still patiently waiting, this time for the last of the Russian interferences in their nation to leech away. I also believe that the Ukraine may be poised to step around the confines of the stifling weight of Orthodox churchdom, dominated by politics of nation and state, and into a legitimate revival of spirit and Christ.

My good friend was a Christ-follower and if you combine loyalty to cause like he had with a walk with a real Christ, not a church membership card, you get a potent combination.