This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Sporkmaster

  • Riot at Baghdad prison kills seventeen.

    A prison uprising in Iraq has left at least ten inmates and six guards dead. The notable names among them are Brigadier General Moayed al-Saleh a high ranking officer in the anti-terrorism efforts in Iraq and Huthaifa al-Batawi a al Qaida leader who is accused of leading a attack on a Christian Church in Baghdad that killed at least fifty in October of last year. This is what we know so far.

    The daring raid began late Saturday when Huthaifa al-Batawi, a local terror boss accused of masterminding a massacre at a Baghdad church in October, overpowered a guard who was leading him to an interrogation room, took his gun and started shooting, a security spokesman said.

    After killing his captors, al-Batawi freed nearly a dozen members of his crew, who snatched a cache of weapons — including guns and grenades — and attempted to overrun the prison, officials said.

    Some of the sources say that some of the weapons were just laying out in the open.

    Iraqi politicians were quick to criticize security measures in the facility, where the grenades seized by the inmates had been sitting on a table. Critics said that officers there appeared to underestimate the threat posed by the inmates.

    The only real good news out of all of this is that the revolt failed and Huthaifa al-Batawi is dead. But considering the death of Osama a attempt this should have been expected.

  • Rethink Afghanistan: the rationale for war has evaporated

    As in my previous posts the group Rethink Afghanistan published this as a response to the reports of Osama’s death.

    On May 1st, 2011, we learned that a CIA operation in Pakistan killed Osama bin Laden.

    After 10 years of war and the death of Osama bin Laden, it’s time to bring the troops home from Afghanistan. With al-Qaeda driven from the country and Bin Laden now dead, the rationale for war has evaporated. It’s time to stop now.

    The swift withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan must begin immediately.

    Ok lets get this straight the raid happened in Pakistan, something that Rethink Afghanistan has been very vocal about being against it.

    In fact that Rethink Afghanistan was putting out videos that decry that a turning point was about to be reached. So if we had listened to you back then we would not have this moment. So that being said why should we listen to you now?

  • Osama Bin Laden Killed?

    Considering how many hoaxes and virus have been sent out under this subject I have very healthy doubts about this story.

    Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. assets in a mansion outside Islamabad, U.S. officials said. President Barack Obama will announce the death of the terrorist leader tonight.

    Obama will deliver the news to the nation in an address from the White House, almost 10 years after the Sept. 11 attacks that bin Laden orchestrated. Bin Laden was killed, along with other members of his family, an official said.


    ADDED:     This is what has been going around the internet as the body of Osama. (Graphic Image Warning)

    ADDED x2 Seems that Rethink Afghanistan is quick to use this for political reasons.

    On May 1st, 2011, we learned that a CIA operation in Pakistan killed Osama bin Laden.

    After 10 years of war and the death of Osama bin Laden, it’s time to bring the troops home from Afghanistan. With al-Qaeda driven from the country and Bin Laden now dead, the rationale for war has evaporated. It’s time to stop now.

    The swift withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan must begin immediately.

  • A twelve year old suicide bomber used in latest attack.

    On the beginning of a promised summer Taliban offensive a twelve year old boy used as suicide bomber killed at least four and wounded more then twelve at a local bazar.

    The BBC’s Paul Wood in Kabul says some believe the suicide bomber, if he was 12, would be one of the youngest ever to have staged such an attack.

    By one count there are more than 150 would-be suicide bombers between 13-17 years of age who have been intercepted by the Afghan security forces, he reports.

    The UN is making it standard statements.

    The top U.N. official in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, called on pro-government forces and Taliban militants not to launch attacks on civilian locations or in areas where civilians gather. He also urged insurgents not to use improvised explosive devices indiscriminately, and called on Afghan and coalition forces to better regulate air strikes and nighttime raids targeting militants.

    I would like the UN to do something without replying on NATO or the US to save them. But we can’t have everything now can we. But with videos like this is there any wonder that the Taliban will continue to keep fighting like this.

  • Say what McCord?

    Recently a short film was released for a film festival in New York called “Incident in New Baghdad.” A short film about “Collateral Murder” video. While I have huge doubts when the producer, James Spione says that this is not a anti-military film. But what gets my attention is a sudden change in tone from Ethan McCord according to a article by military.com. The same one that has been reported about here many time.

    After the video was released in April of 2010, McCord – by then out of the Army – wrote a public letter of apology to those injured or who lost family members in the attack. McCord told Military.com at the time that the fault lay more with loose rules of engagement than with the Soldiers.

    He also criticized the video because it was presented out of context and failed to show what was happening elsewhere on the ground that might explain why the Apache crew responded as it did.

    “I was upset when the … video came out. I felt they [Wikileaks] were attacking the wrong people,” he told Military.com. McCord was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment. The Apaches belonged to the 227th Aviation Regiment.

    Really that is totally different from what you said here.

    Asked if the Collateral Damage video put soldiers in harms way, (as the Pentagon claimed), without hesitation, McCord said, “That video release did not put anyone in harm’s way.”

    McCord attended the VFP Convention to give the video context:

    “What that video shows is not special in any way because it shows a daily occurrence in Iraq.

    “We’re killing innocent people daily in Iraq.

    “Killing children daily.

    “Women daily

    You mean innocent people with RPGs?

    While the video released by Wikileaks left open the question of whether or not the only “weapon” present was a camera carried by a Reuters photographer, the film documents that an AK-47 and an RPG were found at the scene of the initial attack – although Spione is quick to point out that the Apache crew did spot actual weapons before they fired onto the street from the skies above.

    In an interview in the movie, McCord also recalls seeing an RPG near the bodies when he reached the scene.

    “I enlarged the part [of the video] where you can see the weapons,” Spione said. Still photos taken by Soldiers at the time also show the weapons, he said.

  • Jasper Lake: Afterthoughts.

    Just got the news about Jasper Lake today. No really surprised about it but there are few things I wanted to respond too.

    Betsui and Lake said the issue is a misunderstanding. They insist they were misinformed by the Kirkpatrick aide, who told them Lake had been nominated for the Medal of Honor and suggested asking for donations.

    Yea and none of that sounded suspicious? I will ask anyone here who has served that was told that they were receiving something and not get it. I know I have been told I would receive a second ARCOM and CMB. Did it happen, nope.

    The Rumor Doctor talked to Lake’s niece, Gailene Betsui, who said an aide to former U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., secured the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other awards, which were mailed to Lake. Betsui said all documentation she had from Kirkpatrick’s office had been lost.

    Except that what does a single US Congresswoman has anything to do with the approval of these awards? She has no place in the approval process, let alone issuing the medals out. Lake being in the Army should have known this. Because the only time that I ever got a full metal was with the permanent orders. No one gets random medals in the mail, more so when they are the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Or you could go with the simple solution that they bought them at any random buyer. Oh an lets remind ourselves again the awards like the Purple Heart do not get sent out without documents.

    Approved awards of the Purple Heart require the publication of permanent orders according to AR 600–8–105, citing each recipient. A DA Form 4980–10 (The Purple Heart Medal Certificate) will include the following information: The recipient’s name and grade, date wounded in action, and date certificate is signed. All Purple Heart Medal certificates will bear the signature and signature block of the Secretary of the Army on the right side. During wartime, the signature and signature block of the commander authorized to award the Purple Heart will be on the left side. All other Purple Hearts awarded will bear the signature and signature block of The Adjutant General of the Army.

    But they continue with shifting the blame to Jon Doe aide.

    Betsui and Lake said the issue is a misunderstanding. They insist they were misinformed by the Kirkpatrick aide, who told them Lake had been nominated for the Medal of Honor and suggested asking for donations.

    Again, what made you believe that a aide to a single Congresswoman would have any power approve a MOH by herself? Or that it would require money to do it. However it seems that it was the other way around with Betsui trying to lobby to the Congresswoman

    Jasper’s niece Gailene Bitsuie, 26, took time from her own schedule to work on securing Specialist Jasper Lake’s award as well as continuing to advocate for his United States Congressional Medal of Honor. With the help and support of the Kayenta Veterans Organization, on January 07, 2011, President Joe Shirley Jr., signed into law by Resolution of the Navajo Nation Council CJA-01-11, which reads: “Relating to Human Services; supporting the recommendation of awarding Specialist Jasper Lake the United States Congressional Medal of Honor for his wartime actions during Operation Enduring Freedom and in defense of his fellow soldiers in the 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade (SBCT), 25th Infantry Division (L) and the United States Army, the United States of America and the Navajo Nation.” The lobbying for the award continues at the state level with U.S. Representative and Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick’s office.

    But I love this part.

    Lake, originally from Arizona and now an iron worker in New Mexico, said it was his decision to take the petition off the Internet.

    “When I read it, it didn’t seem right, so I had them take it all off,” he said.

    But not enough for him to send messages on Twitter directing them to his blog, the same one that was asking for money.

  • The President’s Vision

    Ok, once again Facebook is showing these that would not see in normal web viewing. I get this.

    Stand by the President’s Vision

    President Obama has called for a plan that ensures we can live within our means while still investing in our future. I stand by his vision to:

    * Rein in the deficit while protecting seniors and the middle class, and making the investments we need to win the future;
    * Ensure that the most vulnerable Americans are not the only ones sharing the burden of fiscal responsibility;
    * Keep spending low while strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, and end trillions in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires who don’t need them; and
    * Set aside partisanship in favor of a renewed sense of shared responsibility and shared sacrifice.

    Except that this sounds exactly like the ambiguous and feel good promises that he made in 2008. But I am think I am more disturbed at the replies.

    Comment one;

    He never lost his mojo. President Obama has always been pragmatic and a “down the middle” kind of guy, thus the rationale behind ‘this is not the red states or the blue states but the United States of America’. I think the right wingnut mai…nstream/tabloid news mediums are being paid to distort the good and fair things this administration has accomplished and ignored the wreckage caused by the party of no/teahadist GOP.

    Except that was not the tone when He first came to office in 2008.

    Or this one

    Oh, no doubt. And anyone that knows anything about him (like through his books) knows he’s a pragmatist. Still, he had me worried with that last “deal” with the Republicans in Congress. I was worried his budget proposal was going to be more… of the same effort at bipartisanship and that’s just not working for him. I was fine with him extending the Bush tax cuts in order to win certain things he wanted and a lot of people just exploded about that. I WAS worried about this though, that he was going to compromise where he just shouldn’t. There has to be a bright line somewhere.

    But wait, there is new and improved “Hope and Change” 2.0.

    Was a great Speech NOW we need to call and tell him WE are behind him and Do not give a INCH — enough people do it and it will make a difference.

  • Our newest fake: SPC LAKE, JASPER

    This guy has been in the POW.net radar since December of last year when he was making claims that he was a war hero in Iraq. But what makes this more interesting is that he claims that he need money to get Congress to petition Congress to approve the Medal of Honor that he claims he so rightly deserves.

    Hello, My name is SPC. Jasper Lake and I am 26 years old. My clans are Manygoats born for the Bitterwater people. My maternal grandfathers are Towering House people and my paternal grandfathers are Walking Around people. I was born in Monument Valley, Utah Sept 20,1983. My parents are joe and alice lake. i have 2 brothers and 1 sister. i am the youngest of the family.

    I did my Base traing in FT.Leonardwood,missouri. after completing my base training I was station out in Seattle, Washington.

    Awards I well also be getting is Purple Heart,Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star.
    I feel that I deserves this award conspicuously for my gallantry and intrepidity. I SPC. JASPER LAKE distinguished myself by risking my own life above and beyond the call of duty for my platoon while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.

    I believe that I have earned this prestigious achievement when I put my own life endanger to help my squad team return back to the Stryker. Me and my platoon were in a pit while under a line of fire. I volunteered to stay behind and protect my platoon from enemy cross fire. This mission took place in Mosul, Iraq.
    The MEDAL OF HONOR is awarded to those individuals who have performed heroic duty. I have taken the opportunity to prove this to my platoon, leaders, and myself that I have the courage and assisted when I was needed.

    I am also asking for your help and support in donations this well help me with the expenses of my travel to get my awards.DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT ANY WELLS FARGO. Acct#9991208399 and Routing#122105278. thank you for your help. If you have any questions or need further documentation, I can be reached at my e-mail

    Your donation well be very much appreciated.
    gah_owl2010@yahoo.com

    He is also trying to get others to do the same thing for him as well.

    The Kayenta Veterans Organization Corporation, a new non-profit agency with a 501c3 status, has several goals in place that they feel will fall into place easily if Kayenta Monument Valley High School alumni and U.S. Army Veteran Jasper Lake receives his Medal of Honor from the U.S. Congress in the near future. “Right now, we are lobbying on behalf of Jasper Lake. Our next goal is to find the monies to lobby at the State and Federal levels,” says Rick Gray Wednesday night at the Kayenta Chapter meeting. Jasper Lake’s story is an odyssey, so much so that it is his own Platoon that nominated him for the Medal of Honor while he was in the Middle East.

    The only problem is that the none seems to know who this person is. The 25th Infantry Division Association has no data on him at all. Nether does POW.net after three FOIA requests came back with nothing. Also considering what he claiming that he has done that there should be something about him and his actions.

    In that spirit, Jasper Lake, one of my former students joined the United States Army. Not a distinguished student or great athlete, although his name is still listed on my weightroom record board for doing a clean and jerk of 115 kg (253 lb) at a bodyweight of about 190 lb. Jasper worked as a welder for a few years then enlisted. One day well on patrol in Iraq his unit was pinned down by enemy fire coming from all directions. Jasper, who was Striker (armored personnel carrier)driver and mechanic raced through the enemy fire dodging bullets, retook the vehicle and drove back in a rescued his unit taking some shrapnel from an explosive along the way. It was hard for me not to be emotional when he thanked me for the physical preparation he recieved and credited it for the physical toughness he had which allowed him to perform when it counted. He related that he had always maxed out on his PT (physical training) and he said it started here in our weight room.

    Oh lets not forget that since there is no records of him at all means that the photo of him wearing the awards to include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge are enough to be considered a violation of the Stolen Valor Act.

    Oh and if anyone is wondering he claims that his unit is 73rd Engineer Company.

    ADDED:

    Here is a closer look at his Flash.