Friday, December 11, 2009
Is Headley India's battle ?
America has hugged the Headley case so tightly to itself perhaps because Headley was an undercover agent who worked for them and then went rogue.
The New York Times has chronicled how Headley crossed sides and worked for America’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after he was arrested for smuggling in heroin in 1998. The NYT report even quotes court documents to say that Headley knew Pakistan’s narcotics underbelly so well that he was imprisoned for less than two years, after which he was sent to Pakistan to “conduct undercover surveillance operations for the DEA”. In the post-9/11 world of American security, the lines between drug trafficking and terrorism have blurred. In other words, the CIA may well have been just one step away from the DEA.
We have been told that Headley abandoned his real name of Daood Gilani and embraced an American sounding, Christian name, so he could travel in India without attracting suspicion. If Headley was an informant for the US administration, isn’t it likely that he took on a false name so that he could whiz in and out of airports without popping up on security lists? This could help explain why it took so long for the US to "find" his name change.
Another investigative journalist, Gerald Posner, confirms this thesis, writing, that, “in a world of high security, Headley somehow managed to then move with apparent ease in and out of Pakistan. A convicted felon of Pakistani descent, making frequent trips back and forth to the US (there were apparently at least four in one year), would have been monitored by US tracking agencies.”
The FBI had warned India that Mumbai could come under attack in September 2008. Was their intelligence so specific because Headley had supplied the information to them as an informant within the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba before turning double agent on the US?
IMO: Headley’s half brother has turned out to be an official in the public relations office of the Pakistan Prime Minister. Will Indian intelligence officials will ever even get to meet Headley, leave alone interrogate him ?
The New York Times has chronicled how Headley crossed sides and worked for America’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after he was arrested for smuggling in heroin in 1998. The NYT report even quotes court documents to say that Headley knew Pakistan’s narcotics underbelly so well that he was imprisoned for less than two years, after which he was sent to Pakistan to “conduct undercover surveillance operations for the DEA”. In the post-9/11 world of American security, the lines between drug trafficking and terrorism have blurred. In other words, the CIA may well have been just one step away from the DEA.
We have been told that Headley abandoned his real name of Daood Gilani and embraced an American sounding, Christian name, so he could travel in India without attracting suspicion. If Headley was an informant for the US administration, isn’t it likely that he took on a false name so that he could whiz in and out of airports without popping up on security lists? This could help explain why it took so long for the US to "find" his name change.
Another investigative journalist, Gerald Posner, confirms this thesis, writing, that, “in a world of high security, Headley somehow managed to then move with apparent ease in and out of Pakistan. A convicted felon of Pakistani descent, making frequent trips back and forth to the US (there were apparently at least four in one year), would have been monitored by US tracking agencies.”
The FBI had warned India that Mumbai could come under attack in September 2008. Was their intelligence so specific because Headley had supplied the information to them as an informant within the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba before turning double agent on the US?
IMO: Headley’s half brother has turned out to be an official in the public relations office of the Pakistan Prime Minister. Will Indian intelligence officials will ever even get to meet Headley, leave alone interrogate him ?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Pakistan has rolled back its “India is behind trouble in Balochistan” charge.
Reacting to Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s claims about having “concrete evidence” regarding India’s involvement in terror activities inside the country, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that evidence against New Delhi was not enough.
“The possibility that there are elements who want to destabilise the country cannot be ruled out. But information received by us in this regard, is insufficient. We need more information and material to plausibly argue our case.” Earlier, Malik had claimed that the interior ministry has substantial proof against India, and that it has been handed over to the foreign office.
IMO: That is good news. There seems more hope for mutual benefit to India and Pakistan by this slightly more appropriate attitude. But what a bunch of tinkers all politicians are!! For instance, look at the UK expense situation as Guido Fawkes mentions it today, AFAIK all decent UK taxpayers are in the same boat - near shipwreck.
“The possibility that there are elements who want to destabilise the country cannot be ruled out. But information received by us in this regard, is insufficient. We need more information and material to plausibly argue our case.” Earlier, Malik had claimed that the interior ministry has substantial proof against India, and that it has been handed over to the foreign office.
IMO: That is good news. There seems more hope for mutual benefit to India and Pakistan by this slightly more appropriate attitude. But what a bunch of tinkers all politicians are!! For instance, look at the UK expense situation as Guido Fawkes mentions it today, AFAIK all decent UK taxpayers are in the same boat - near shipwreck.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Was Headley a CIA double agent?
Indian authorities suspect Headley to be a double agent who might have been planted as an agent in the CIA by the LeT itself.
One thing that has surprised the authorities here in India is that why the US agencies figured out Headley’s change of name from Daood Gilani as late as on February 15, 2006, in Philadelphia, when every Pakistani or Arab born citizen is double-checked after the 9/11 fateful twin tower attacks.
IMO: At any rate, visa regulations for American tourists wishing to visit India may soon be changed requiring them to take a 60-day break between each exit from India and re-entry. It seems to me that if the US were competent they should be using more drones and less troops. Anyway according to Wired magazine the US certainly seems to be messing up the Afghan war.
One thing that has surprised the authorities here in India is that why the US agencies figured out Headley’s change of name from Daood Gilani as late as on February 15, 2006, in Philadelphia, when every Pakistani or Arab born citizen is double-checked after the 9/11 fateful twin tower attacks.
IMO: At any rate, visa regulations for American tourists wishing to visit India may soon be changed requiring them to take a 60-day break between each exit from India and re-entry. It seems to me that if the US were competent they should be using more drones and less troops. Anyway according to Wired magazine the US certainly seems to be messing up the Afghan war.
Headley trial for attempted Jew prayer hall murder
Pakistani-American jihadist David Headley on trial. The U.S. Justice Department filed the Mumbai-related charges against Headley on Dec. 7.
Lashkar-e-Toiba plotted a series of strikes on Jewish prayer halls in no less than five Indian cities, a plan which if it had succeeded, would have severely tested India's restraint over going to war. Delhi, Pushkar, Goa, Pune and Mumbai were targets.
IMO: Sounds bizarre, though it could have had the desired effect. Chabad House in Delhi's Paharganj, for example, is hardly known to most people.
Lashkar-e-Toiba plotted a series of strikes on Jewish prayer halls in no less than five Indian cities, a plan which if it had succeeded, would have severely tested India's restraint over going to war. Delhi, Pushkar, Goa, Pune and Mumbai were targets.
IMO: Sounds bizarre, though it could have had the desired effect. Chabad House in Delhi's Paharganj, for example, is hardly known to most people.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Elephants again
I am informed that the elephants are not begging at all.
Elephants are Godly creatures and wherever they go they are offered food and money anyway.
In fact they look so good on the roads we would like to have even more. The problem is too much traffic, too many people and too much pollution. These problems should be taken into account.
Elephants are Godly creatures and wherever they go they are offered food and money anyway.
In fact they look so good on the roads we would like to have even more. The problem is too much traffic, too many people and too much pollution. These problems should be taken into account.
NGO demands action against cruelty to Vasai pachyderms
Times of India says "Despite The Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) repeatedly complaining to the police stations in metro cities pertaining to misuse of elephants by their mahouts for begging, no legal action is being taken by the concerned authorities".
Founder and secretary of PAWS and Animal Welfare Board of India demands strict action against mahouts using elephants for begging in the metro cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai and Kalyan and demands that the pachyderms be rescued from the cruelty meted out to them.
IMO: One elephant I saw in Vasai seemed to have a pinkish looking skin and parts of its normally very thick skin seemed to be peeling off. On just looking at it I was very worried about its health but I am no vet. It looked happy though, I thought and probably in a better position than logging elephants in Thailand. One story I heard was that the authorities have put the elephants there to make the place look more homely. Others say the elephants cause traffic obstruction but I would have thought the elephants a very minor cause of obstruction, compared to many other factors like the new walkway construction near Vasai Road station. Maybe one answer is to keep the elephants but to ensure they are well treated.
Founder and secretary of PAWS and Animal Welfare Board of India demands strict action against mahouts using elephants for begging in the metro cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai and Kalyan and demands that the pachyderms be rescued from the cruelty meted out to them.
IMO: One elephant I saw in Vasai seemed to have a pinkish looking skin and parts of its normally very thick skin seemed to be peeling off. On just looking at it I was very worried about its health but I am no vet. It looked happy though, I thought and probably in a better position than logging elephants in Thailand. One story I heard was that the authorities have put the elephants there to make the place look more homely. Others say the elephants cause traffic obstruction but I would have thought the elephants a very minor cause of obstruction, compared to many other factors like the new walkway construction near Vasai Road station. Maybe one answer is to keep the elephants but to ensure they are well treated.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Swiss Ban on minarets
For once, Jews back Muslims. Citing religious discrimination, a diverse coalition of Jewish organizations is objecting to Switzerland's ban of minarets on local mosques.
IMO: But, the tradition for both Jews and Muslims is to self-isolate themselves. For example, Jews in Cochin for 2000 years or Saudi Arabia today. Surely the Swiss have some rights. Roughly this seems to be a situation where militants wish to remove the rights of others - and for all parties to defensively assume that those with views differing from theirs are in the wrong.
Ultimately a simple gloss on the situation might be that Jews want there to be only Jews, Muslims want only there to be only Muslims and the Swiss (after a vote) want to pursue their own lives in peace. To me the Swiss at any rate seems sensible. Enough is enough.
IMO: But, the tradition for both Jews and Muslims is to self-isolate themselves. For example, Jews in Cochin for 2000 years or Saudi Arabia today. Surely the Swiss have some rights. Roughly this seems to be a situation where militants wish to remove the rights of others - and for all parties to defensively assume that those with views differing from theirs are in the wrong.
Ultimately a simple gloss on the situation might be that Jews want there to be only Jews, Muslims want only there to be only Muslims and the Swiss (after a vote) want to pursue their own lives in peace. To me the Swiss at any rate seems sensible. Enough is enough.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Climategate
Furedi writes, inter alia, "The 'Climategate' emails remind us, quite forcefully, of one deeply regrettable development in recent years: the politicisation of the institution of ‘peer review’. The emails reveal scientists having quite cynical and political discussions about whose work should get the peer-review stamp and whose should not".
IMO: I ran a physics journal for 7 years. What Furedi says is only too true but one problem amongst many is that when you try to improve things, strangely it can too easily lead to even worse work reaching print. I don't mean 'controversial' or 'unfortunately incomplete or badly presented', I mean real crap. But things need a lot of improvement. Even attempts like Arxiv have now fallen into the same category as the terribly biased peer-review journals, but only UTAP.
Furedi also says "peer reviewing is often more of a cultural than a scientific accomplishment. Indeed, the way that peer review is now used in public debate as a form of divine revelation – where we are told that ‘the peer-reviewed science’ shows that we must believe and do certain things – indicates how this institution risks being corrupted by advocacy researchers".
IMO: Yes, it is getting that bad. And global warming is very real. The old saying used to be "the meek shall inherit the earth" but today it looks more like "the self-seeking, vociferous and greedy of all persuasions will destroy the earth". In other fields in science than global warming, the truth of this hits me in the face every day.
IMO:Yes, we will very probably all die because of the greed in science and outside of it today.
IMO: I ran a physics journal for 7 years. What Furedi says is only too true but one problem amongst many is that when you try to improve things, strangely it can too easily lead to even worse work reaching print. I don't mean 'controversial' or 'unfortunately incomplete or badly presented', I mean real crap. But things need a lot of improvement. Even attempts like Arxiv have now fallen into the same category as the terribly biased peer-review journals, but only UTAP.
Furedi also says "peer reviewing is often more of a cultural than a scientific accomplishment. Indeed, the way that peer review is now used in public debate as a form of divine revelation – where we are told that ‘the peer-reviewed science’ shows that we must believe and do certain things – indicates how this institution risks being corrupted by advocacy researchers".
IMO: Yes, it is getting that bad. And global warming is very real. The old saying used to be "the meek shall inherit the earth" but today it looks more like "the self-seeking, vociferous and greedy of all persuasions will destroy the earth". In other fields in science than global warming, the truth of this hits me in the face every day.
IMO:Yes, we will very probably all die because of the greed in science and outside of it today.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gary McKinnon extradition decision is shameful
The UK Guardian says, inter alia "As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster on 3 December 1984, in which over 30,000 people died (and some 60,000 still suffer blindness, respiratory and other illness), it is perhaps an opportune moment to compare the US's self-serving approach to extradition. Britain has been coerced by the Washington regime to extradite Gary McKinnon, who has done no more than embarrass American security. When the Indian government repeatedly sought the extradition of Warren Anderson, the station chief of Union Carbide – the US conglomerate responsible for the Bhopal gas leak – for his culpability in the deaths and the company's wilful neglect, who had done a runner back to the States directly after the tragedy, Washington bluntly refused to hand over their man. American justice is apart from international norms."
IMO: Its clear that a great many US judicial rulings over the years, including some by Hamburger and by Learned Hand, have made the US even worse than the Guardian states. Lets hope that the Obama administration tries to improve things, but with so many disgracefully bad politicians and a corrupt judiciary on both sides of the channel, as there has been for such a long time, we certainly can't be sure of that. But after this Goatse and then the Lisa Simpson business over the Olympics, I think the UK authorities at any rate almost give the impression of being either blind or mad.
IMO: Its clear that a great many US judicial rulings over the years, including some by Hamburger and by Learned Hand, have made the US even worse than the Guardian states. Lets hope that the Obama administration tries to improve things, but with so many disgracefully bad politicians and a corrupt judiciary on both sides of the channel, as there has been for such a long time, we certainly can't be sure of that. But after this Goatse and then the Lisa Simpson business over the Olympics, I think the UK authorities at any rate almost give the impression of being either blind or mad.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Smita Thackeray to join Congress Party
The Congress has decided to embrace the high-profile daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena chief Smita Thackeray, to strongly convey the message that party president 'Soniaji' Gandhi has greater acceptance than Balasaheb.
Even after her divorce with Jaidev in 2004, Smita, 48, had continued to live in the Thackeray family home, Matoshree, underlining what many said was her special bond with her father-in-law.
But Smita has already spoken against the philosophy of the Sena and praised Sonia Gandhi, two unwritten conditions for joining the Congress.
IMO: I was left with the impression that Smita Thackeray's work was of artistic merit. This may not be an obvious situtation, certainly Rane and others do not seem happy with the situation, doubtless time will tell as to how important it is.
Even after her divorce with Jaidev in 2004, Smita, 48, had continued to live in the Thackeray family home, Matoshree, underlining what many said was her special bond with her father-in-law.
But Smita has already spoken against the philosophy of the Sena and praised Sonia Gandhi, two unwritten conditions for joining the Congress.
IMO: I was left with the impression that Smita Thackeray's work was of artistic merit. This may not be an obvious situtation, certainly Rane and others do not seem happy with the situation, doubtless time will tell as to how important it is.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Gary McKinnon
Solicitors for Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon are planning a 11th-hour judicial review after Home Secretary Alan Johnson decided new medical evidence was insufficient reason for him to step in and block US extradition proceedings. Johnson's decision runs contrary to the findings of the Commons' Home Affairs Committee that McKinnon's extradition ought to be halted because of his "precarious state of mental health". The MPs also criticised the lopsided US-UK extradition treaty that means US authorities are not obliged to present any evidence when seeking the extradition of a British citizen.
IMO: The whole treaty was yet another of Tony Blair's mistakes. Whether Johnson is wise from his own standpoint to behave as he has, seemingly genuinely contradicting medical expertise, is another matter. Johnson seems to have been right enough about Nutt, but this is another matter and it seems most incorrect that McKinnon should be extradited or indeed that the present extradition treaty should remain. The problem is that if McKinnon really does commit suicide, as he may well do, it could badly - and irrelevantly - affect the politics/science interface.
IMO: The whole treaty was yet another of Tony Blair's mistakes. Whether Johnson is wise from his own standpoint to behave as he has, seemingly genuinely contradicting medical expertise, is another matter. Johnson seems to have been right enough about Nutt, but this is another matter and it seems most incorrect that McKinnon should be extradited or indeed that the present extradition treaty should remain. The problem is that if McKinnon really does commit suicide, as he may well do, it could badly - and irrelevantly - affect the politics/science interface.
Obama's ideas for India on global warming
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab will partner with India's Solar Energy Centre and Centre for Wind Energy Technology to map potential, develop technology and, ultimately, aid in its deployment—potentially allowing rural Indians to "leapfrog" directly to distributed solar energy, without the need for costly transmission lines. And there will also be enhanced cooperation in agriculture—helping to revitalize the Green Revolution in India that dramatically reduced starvation there in the 20th century. "India is important to the energy and climate change problem for several reasons," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during a visit to the country this month. For one, "eighty percent of the infrastructure in India has yet to be built. What we have today and what we are going to have by 2030. So this is an incredible opportunity for India to build its buildings, its cities, its highways, its infrastructure, its transportation in the most energy efficient way possible."
According to "The Hindu", India believes that there is recognition in the joint statement of the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support climate change action in developing countries.
IMO: Hopefully, an improvement in the electrification position in Vasai, and a more efficient Western Railways will result but I'm not yet clear how. Mamata Banerjee is already intending to make use of solar power to operate Indian railway stations. But it can also be hoped that increased and more efficient use of nuclear power will generally occur.
According to "The Hindu", India believes that there is recognition in the joint statement of the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support climate change action in developing countries.
IMO: Hopefully, an improvement in the electrification position in Vasai, and a more efficient Western Railways will result but I'm not yet clear how. Mamata Banerjee is already intending to make use of solar power to operate Indian railway stations. But it can also be hoped that increased and more efficient use of nuclear power will generally occur.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Afghanistan
The senior U.S. officer in Logar, Army Lt. Col. Thomas Gukeisen, tells Voice of America that he does not have enough soldiers to control all of the province, even with the help of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). Instead, he uses the troops that he has to occupy the most cooperative villages, and turn them into examples for neighboring villages to follow.
IMO: Hm, sounds a little like the old 'strategic hamlets' of Vietnam. Perhaps not a nice similarity.
In declaring on Tuesday that he would “finish the job” in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama used a phrase clearly meant to imply that even as he deploys an additional 30,000 or so troops, he has finally figured out how to bring the conflict to an end, perhaps by 2017. But Pakistanis may feel that if the US withdraws, India will fill the void in southern Afghanistan. So the United States is stuck, between not wanting to suggest it will be a presence in the region forever and showing enough commitment to encourage Pakistan to change its behaviour.
IMO: So, an element of any success for Obama and the undoubtedly economically strained USA is the co-operation of both Pakistan and India. India's Manmohan Singh will undoubtedly do his best, and it is hoped that Pakistan under its present leadership may do the same. I have just been to Turkey, which has strong Sufi elements and Turkey has been extremely successful now for many years, economically and in other ways. For the sake of Pakistan and Islam, I trust that the Sufi element in Pakistan may also prove successful . IMO Sufism is as like Wahabism as chalk is like cheese, not much alike, and things could conceivably turn out well for the subcontinent.
IMO: Hm, sounds a little like the old 'strategic hamlets' of Vietnam. Perhaps not a nice similarity.
In declaring on Tuesday that he would “finish the job” in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama used a phrase clearly meant to imply that even as he deploys an additional 30,000 or so troops, he has finally figured out how to bring the conflict to an end, perhaps by 2017. But Pakistanis may feel that if the US withdraws, India will fill the void in southern Afghanistan. So the United States is stuck, between not wanting to suggest it will be a presence in the region forever and showing enough commitment to encourage Pakistan to change its behaviour.
IMO: So, an element of any success for Obama and the undoubtedly economically strained USA is the co-operation of both Pakistan and India. India's Manmohan Singh will undoubtedly do his best, and it is hoped that Pakistan under its present leadership may do the same. I have just been to Turkey, which has strong Sufi elements and Turkey has been extremely successful now for many years, economically and in other ways. For the sake of Pakistan and Islam, I trust that the Sufi element in Pakistan may also prove successful . IMO Sufism is as like Wahabism as chalk is like cheese, not much alike, and things could conceivably turn out well for the subcontinent.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Two pieces of favorable news.
US President Obama and Indian PM Singh hold talks : Obama: "The United States and India can strengthen the global economic recovery". President Barack Obama has praised the United States' relationship with India as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century". Mr Singh began his visit to America on Monday. He is being received with pomp and ceremony which far exceeds that enjoyed by any previous foreign visitor to Mr Obama's White House. India hopes the talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.
Kashmir integral part of India: EU : The European Union leaders’ statement on Tuesday that Kashmir is an integral part of India has come as a major diplomatic relief for the country at a time when China and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) raised their pitch over the Kashmir to India’s dislike.
Kashmir integral part of India: EU : The European Union leaders’ statement on Tuesday that Kashmir is an integral part of India has come as a major diplomatic relief for the country at a time when China and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) raised their pitch over the Kashmir to India’s dislike.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Somali pirates
The crew of a Royal Navy vessel watched a British couple being kidnapped by Somali pirates, but were ordered not to open fire, it emerged last night.
An official account of the kidnap released last month said only that a Royal Navy vessel found the empty yacht, without disclosing that its crew saw the action unfolding. The full picture emerged when an anonymous crew member leaked the details to the press.
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the Wave Knight, which was carrying a helicopter, was within range.
A spokesman said: "Significant efforts were made by Royal Navy vessels and international maritime forces to locate the Lynn Rival. Everything possible was done without further endangering the lives of Paul and Rachel Chandler."
IMO: Surely they could have at least tracked the pirate boat, and if competent could have overcome them. It looks as if the Brits are sharing any rewards with the pirates. It makes you wonder how much the UK is trying to protect its nationals, e.g. in Afghanistan where it looks like things could be dealt with much better. Obviously the UK lie a lot to their own citizens, and even want to hand over power to Brussels to fill the pockets of their politicians and civil servants, as all major parties have even refused a referendum. It almost looks as if they are encouraging the Taliban in order to make further military efforts essential, again for personal profits. Even the Bofors case seems to involve much less corruption, compared to the current crooked bunch of British politicians - all parties - and bent and lazy 'civil servants'. Next we will have Somaliland and Yemen to worry about, apparently thanks to crooked UK MPs.
An official account of the kidnap released last month said only that a Royal Navy vessel found the empty yacht, without disclosing that its crew saw the action unfolding. The full picture emerged when an anonymous crew member leaked the details to the press.
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the Wave Knight, which was carrying a helicopter, was within range.
A spokesman said: "Significant efforts were made by Royal Navy vessels and international maritime forces to locate the Lynn Rival. Everything possible was done without further endangering the lives of Paul and Rachel Chandler."
IMO: Surely they could have at least tracked the pirate boat, and if competent could have overcome them. It looks as if the Brits are sharing any rewards with the pirates. It makes you wonder how much the UK is trying to protect its nationals, e.g. in Afghanistan where it looks like things could be dealt with much better. Obviously the UK lie a lot to their own citizens, and even want to hand over power to Brussels to fill the pockets of their politicians and civil servants, as all major parties have even refused a referendum. It almost looks as if they are encouraging the Taliban in order to make further military efforts essential, again for personal profits. Even the Bofors case seems to involve much less corruption, compared to the current crooked bunch of British politicians - all parties - and bent and lazy 'civil servants'. Next we will have Somaliland and Yemen to worry about, apparently thanks to crooked UK MPs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Afghanistan again
From MSNBC: Obama’s decision is likely to come at the end of Thanksgiving week or the week after. But the calendar is a real factor here: If the president orders all the troops McChrystal wants, it still will take more than a year to get them in to the country. But McChrystal said in his report that “failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) … risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.”
And the popular press insist Obama must act quickly.... and so on... What a bunch of assholes all these people are, with no interest at all in the people of the USA.
IMO: Actually if issues like the pipeline are what matters, bearing in mind that there may be a cumulative number of such issues, rendering the problem important in anybody's terms, UK has an easy answer. Show willing with the UK troops, get the EU to send even more if reasonably possible, but keep them out of important areas - and out of dangerous areas such as UK troops are at the moment - such matters are best left to the US. US can keep putting in drones and killing as many Afghans as they need to. Mainly more and better drones, presumably, but enough men just to keep down the enemy, and kill them when needed, probably the more the better. And my quick fix would still be neutron bombs.
And the popular press insist Obama must act quickly.... and so on... What a bunch of assholes all these people are, with no interest at all in the people of the USA.
IMO: Actually if issues like the pipeline are what matters, bearing in mind that there may be a cumulative number of such issues, rendering the problem important in anybody's terms, UK has an easy answer. Show willing with the UK troops, get the EU to send even more if reasonably possible, but keep them out of important areas - and out of dangerous areas such as UK troops are at the moment - such matters are best left to the US. US can keep putting in drones and killing as many Afghans as they need to. Mainly more and better drones, presumably, but enough men just to keep down the enemy, and kill them when needed, probably the more the better. And my quick fix would still be neutron bombs.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
UK to build robot stealth raygun jet/copter
Aerospace firms are competing for a "classified" UK MoD contract to build a robotic military stealth aircraft which would be able to hover like a helicopter or fold its rotors and fly as an aeroplane. The "novel air concept" would be able to operate "within urban canyons" and deploy radical new weapons such as microwave or laser rayguns.
IMO: Most readers seem to think that this would be very useful in say, Coldharbour Lane or Oxford Street when the honest working people get even more sick and tired of the way they are being imposed on by the UK Government of the day. Could be really quite serious to innocent voters and taxpayers. Probably of little use in Afghanistan, good for further repression in UK.
IMO: Most readers seem to think that this would be very useful in say, Coldharbour Lane or Oxford Street when the honest working people get even more sick and tired of the way they are being imposed on by the UK Government of the day. Could be really quite serious to innocent voters and taxpayers. Probably of little use in Afghanistan, good for further repression in UK.
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