Where Do Rights Originate? How Are They Stopped From going Away?

The Weekly Standard has an article on the Judge John Roberts confirmation hearings that has some intersting things to say about where rights come from .

The Democrats seem to subscribe to the notion that rights are actually created by the Constitution and can be expanded, or reduced, by changes to the Constitution.

...the Democratic position: "Our democracy, our rights, and everything we hold dear about America are built on the foundations of our Constitution," said Kohl. "Our Constitution is . . ." said Leahy, "the foundation of our rights and liberties." "Herein lies the crux of the debate I referenced at the outset," said Biden. "Whether we will have ever increasing protections for human liberty and dignity, or whether those protections will be diminished."

Republicans hold to the more, in my opinion, quixotic view that rights exist all on their own, and the Constitution simply codifies them.

...the Republican position, put most succinctly by Cornyn: "The Constitution does not guarantee everything that is good, and it does not prohibit everything that is bad." In this view, the Constitution doesn't grant rights--indeed, the Bill of Rights is a series of amendments to the original document. In this view, the Constitution is just a rule book, and we would still have rights if tomorrow it ceased to exist.

I believe that rights exist on their own but that a people must be strong enough, and wise enough, to wrest those rights out of the hands of the members of the group who have, through accident or manipulation, become the keepers of the levers of political power.

Once the revolution is fought, and the changes made, a written document is the best method of insuring that it stays that way.

Take THAT! Tom Delay Haters

Case against DeLay associate dismissed

HaHaHa and GOOD-ON-YA, Tom! This will cause the Haters to choke on their own bile. Ain't it cool?

A Texas judge dismissed a civil case against a major fundraiser for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) last Friday. The federal district-court judge dismissed the case brought by two Texas Democrats against John Colyandro, the former executive director of the Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (TRMPAC). The judge, Lee Yeakel, ruled that lawyers for the two Democrats failed to prove that Colyandro had knowingly broken Texas election law in using corporate contributions to fund campaign ads. Texas election law prohibits the use of corporate money in races for state office. In his opinion, Yeakel wrote that the petition against Colyandro and his three co-defendants “fails to allege any facts that Colyandro intentionally or even knowingly violated the applicable sections of the Texas Election Code.” In May, another Texas judge ruled against Colyandro and co-defendants Jim Ellis and Warren Robold in a separate civil case, ruling that the three had violated state election law by failing to report $684,507 in corporate donations. Colyandro and Ellis also face criminal money-laundering charges following indictments last year by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle.

Muslim Extremists Force Closing Of 35 Christian Churches In Indonesia

First it was Darfur in Africa, now it is Java in Indonesia. Next to Terrorism, the most worrying and infuriating aspect of Islam is the intolerance of other faiths required by the Koran. This article in the Christian Post reports instances of religious bigotry and persecution in West Java.

The most chilling part of the report is the Muslim cleric's characterization of Christianity as a "problem". This brings to mind the Nazi's "Final Solution" to their "problem".

Monday, Sep. 12, 2005 The accelerating trend of Christian church closures in predominately Muslim West Java, Indonesia, has recently raised nationwide concern, reported a prominent UK-based human rights watchdog last week. According to the report released on Sept. 8 by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), recent church closures in Indonesia share a common pattern and appear to be part of a wider scheme by militant hardliners, which can be traced to a previous report prepared by the World Evangelical Alliance’s Religious Liberty Commission (RLC). On Aug. 17, the RLC reported that thirty-five churches had been closed in West Java since the Indonesian Council of Muslim Clerics (MUI) discussed the "problem" of Christian expansion in Indonesia at a four-day national congress in late July. To solve the “problem,” the congress released an 11-point fatwa (edict) denouncing liberal interpretations of Islam, secularism and pluralism as un-Islamic. “Fueled mainly by the MUI, the drive for Islamization has increased in recent years, as has a growing concern over Muslim apostasy (leaving Islam),” the RLC reported. “This is evidenced in the Education Bill, the push for Sharia Law and the escalation in church closures, which are all part of an aggressive counter-measure to halt or reverse the spread of Christianity.” Another example, which CSW cited, is the high-profile court case of three Indonesian Christian women from the Christian Church of David’s Camp in Harguelis, West Java, who were accused of “Christianizing” Muslim children who attended their Sunday school program over the last two years. CSW pointed out that the accusation of “Christianization” came not from the parents but from the local chapter of MUI. MUI claimed that the three women offered the children gifts with a purpose of converting them to Christianity. But the CSW clarified that no evidence of this was given in court and, indeed, no children had converted to Christianity. "The case is symptomatic of the growing harassment faced by Christians in the area of West Java," CSW concluded. CSW's Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert said, "A huge injustice has been done to these three women. This in itself is a travesty but it is made all the more worrying by recent church closures and an observable strategy by militants over recent years to slowly chip away religious freedom across Indonesia. "Indonesia has a rich and long tradition of interfaith cooperation and we ask moderate Muslim leaders to condemn this court decision and to continue to work together with Christian leaders to restore harmony and religious freedom for all." In another example, CSW disclosed how one pastor was forced by Islamic militants from the vigilante group AGAP (Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance) to close the church. The militants reportedly threatened the pastor and forced her to close the church when she refused to sign a letter stating that the church would stop all religious activities. The pastor attempted to seek help from the local police. However, the police appeared to be siding with the militants. During a meeting arranged for a settlement in the next day, various representatives even continued to call for the church to be closed including the local officials, the local head of the MUI and the police and military commander. Amid the fear of the militants’ massive anti-Christian activity in the area, CSW's Advocacy Director called on the Indonesian government to take action to prevent militant activity in West Java, to investigate reports of the complicity of local government and security officials in this activity and to revoke legislation incompatible with international guarantees of religious freedom. On Sunday, local news agencies reported that Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pledged his government’s commitment to protect the religious freedom of all citizens. He also called on the community to help prevent violence against any faith. According to the Jakarta Post, the National Police chief has been instructed to enforce the law against those responsible for the closures of the churches, including those who took part in them. Eunice Or, eunice at christianpost dot com

"Crescent Of Embrace" Not Really a Crescent After All

Upon further inspection, the furor over the shape of the memorial to the Heroes of Flight 93 is beginning to look like a tempest in a teapot. As can be seen from this image (below) of the proposed design, the "crescent" began as a meandering, ragged semicircle. LINK to data.


And as can be seen in this image of the final design, the "crescent" is still a meandering, ragged semicircle, only less so. Notice area 4. It is the most important part, called "Sacred Ground", and it breaks the flow of the circle. Also,if a line is drawn between the middle of the two ends and the center of the circle, it does not point to Mecca. To liken this to the crescent of Islam could be construed as an insult by some Muslims. Of course, some Muslims are insulted by our existence on the planet anyway. LINK to data.

(clic on pic to enlarge)

Flight 93 To Be Memorialized by "Crescent Of Embrace"

The heroism of the 40 people on Flight 93, who crashed the airplane rather than have it be used as a missle, will be remembered by a structure built in the shape of an Islamic crescent. In what can only be interpreted as a further triumph of the Muslim hijackers, the crescent will also be oriented toward Mecca.

Malkin: Seeing Is Believing...

News Article: "Flight 93 marker design picked"

A 911 Remembrance and Promise

On this, the fourth anniversary of the kidney-punch-from-behind given to us by the Islamic fanatics. I think it is appropriate to re-print something I wrote last year. It was in response to articles by Annie Jacobsen about a flight from Detroit to Los Angeles that was terrorized by 13 Syrian musicians acting suspiciously. Whether or not the Syrians were up to no good, or just having fun at the other passenger's expense is not the point. The point is that the scenario invisioned by the passengers is one that may happen someday. The original links have gone dead. But "Terror In The Skies" has expanded into a series that can be found HERE. There is even a book, which can be found HERE.

After reading this (Note: Link now active, but it will take you to the Series) I have made a personal decision about what I will do if I ever encounter conditions like those described in Annie Jacobsen's article. This course of action will not be limited to Arab men. That level of suspicious activity from any group would set it in motion. First I am going to intrude myself upon their space. I am going to ask if I can cut in line to the bathroom 'cause I really, really got to go! I am going to take every opportunity to make friends with them and feel them out. If I am rebuffed, if none of this works, I am simply going to confront one of them and ask what's going on. Firmly and politely, I am going to ask if he knows these other men and if so, how so. I am going to ask him what's in the bag. If I don't get the response I want, which is a prompt and plausible explanation for my questions, I am going to start a fight and assume his buddies will jump on me too. From what I gather, the Air Marshals, and flight crew need an actual event, before they can take action. Their procedures are hobbled by Political Correctness. My goal will be to create enough of an incident to give the Air Marshals reason to take charge. And if the Air Marshals are not on the flight, give the captain and crew a reason to act, and time to call for help. While I get enough help from the other passengers to subdue them, I hope. My secondary goal is to screw up their plan, if indeed they are terrorists. A quick read of the Al Qaeda Manual, gives the impression that one of the things terrorists hate most is for a operation to be uncovered, or things not to go according to plan. If they are NOT terrorists, then I'll be real sorry about it and hope they understand why I couldn't take the chance. Plus, they will be able to take some comfort when they see me being lead away in 'cuffs. But this might not happen at all. Very likely, I would discover that they are simply airplane passengers, just like me. Or the guy could just answer my questions and no harm, or ruckus would be necessary. If the details of the story are correct, these guys were having fun at the other passenger's expense. They were playing the "Let's scare the Americans" game. A firm, straightforward question would probably have ended their fun and de-fused the situation. In any case the rights of everybody will be maintained and no rules will have to be changed. I am only one person and the chances of me getting in one of these situations is pretty remote, but if others decide to do the same thing, the likelyhood will increase that the terrorists will encounter one of us, and it will become harder for the them to succeed. By posting this I have taken the first step. The terrorists now know that at least one individual will be on the hyper lookout, and will not sit still if they attempt anything. He will be perfectly willing to go to jail, crash the airplane, kill, be killed, and endanger the lives of the other passengers as long as their plan does not get carried out. And they don't know who he is. He might even be a woman! Or dressed as one! Terrorists take note: your plans will be opposed with everything at my disposal! What? You are not afraid to die? Same here! The terrorists can always study the procedures of the airlines, and the FAM, and devise a plan that will overcome it. But I and others like me will be the unknown quantity that makes any plan they come up with just that much trickier. Terrorists will always strike at the softest target, and they will keep on trying until they succeed. But the most they are going to be able to do is crash one airplane at a time.

gowain

So Sorry, Again! Tom Delay haters

Sugarland Texas DA says he's gotten no indication charges are being pursued By R.G. RATCLIFFE AUSTIN - Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey Jr. said Friday he is not expecting to receive information anytime soon from the Travis County investigation into a political action committee founded by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle obtained a grand jury indictment Thursday against the DeLay-founded Texans for a Republican Majority on charges of violating state election laws that prohibit corporate money from being used to influence races for elective office. At a news conference announcing the indictment, Earle hinted he might have sought an indictment of DeLay if he had jurisdiction. Jurisdiction for election law violations is held by the home county of the accused person. DeLay, R-Sugar Land, would fall under Healey's jurisdiction. No talk of case's facts Healey said Earle called him after the news conference to say no referral against DeLay would be made at present. "I can tell you he told me his comments were not intended to signal he had anything imminent to send to me in regard to Tom DeLay," Healey said. "We did not talk about the substantive facts of the case." Healey said he felt certain Earle will handle the case properly. "Knowing Mr. Earle's reputation and having talked to him ... if there is a matter in reference to a case against anybody stemming from this investigation, if there is a case to be made, supported by the evidence and the law, he will either present it to a grand jury or refer the matter to the proper authorities outside of his jurisdiction." Healey said he did not know if Earle plans to give him any evidence in the future. "It would be reckless for any district attorney to make reference to the likelihood of an investigation coming one's way unless, of course, the target was talking about it," Healey said. Three indicted TRMPAC and the Texas Association of Business were indicted on charges of illegally using $2.3 million in corporate cash to influence 2002 Texas House races to give the GOP a legislative majority. Three of DeLay's political associates were indicted in the same investigation last year on similar charges: TRMPAC Director John Colyandro; fundraiser Warren RoBold; and Jim Ellis, the director of DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority. All three men are fighting the charges against them.

Story LINK.

So Sorry! Tom Delay Haters

"I have never said that Mr. DeLay is a target of the investigation," said Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. After months of speculation and millions of angry, accusatory words in the MSM, this is what it has come to: NOTHING!

Less than nothing. Had Earle spoken sooner, he could have prevented some of the more rank speculation in the MSM. But Ronnie Earle is a Democrat sleaze. We should not expect any better.

PAC's indictment isn't new peril for lawmaker, ethics experts say Friday, September 9, 2005 By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News WASHINGTON – The day after indicting House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's defunct political committee on charges of illegally using corporate money to help state candidates, an Austin prosecutor said Friday that he has not referred any information to the suburban Houston office with jurisdiction over Mr. DeLay. Congressional ethics experts also said the latest charges probably don't put Mr. DeLay, R-Sugar Land, into any fresh peril as he girds for an inquiry into his overseas travel and his dealings with a discredited lobbyist. "I have never said that Mr. DeLay is a target of the investigation," said Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. Last month, Mr. DeLay spent about 90 minutes with Mr. Earle, asserting that he played a limited role at Texans for a Republican Majority, serving on its advisory board and appearing at fundraisers. "Mr. DeLay assured the district attorney's office that he was not involved in the day-to-day operations of TRMPAC, and to his knowledge all activities were properly reviewed and approved by lawyers," said spokesman Kevin Madden. Three DeLay associates were indicted last year: TRMPAC director John Colyandro, fundraiser Warren RoBold and Jim Ellis, head of Mr. DeLay's leadership committee, Americans for a Republican Majority. All deny wrongdoing. On Thursday, Mr. Earle added two counts against TRMPAC itself, accusing it of illegally accepting $120,000 in corporate donations to help Republicans win control of the Texas House. The committee could be fined $40,000, although it was dissolved in July. Also charged was the Texas Association of Business, the state's largest business group. DeLay allies have long accused Mr. Earle, an elected Democrat, of pursuing a partisan vendetta. Announcing the indictments Thursday, Mr. Earle was somewhat vague on whether he was investigating Mr. DeLay, suggesting that one reason the majority leader hadn't been charged had to do with jurisdictional issues. Charges involving state campaign laws can be filed only in a person's home county. On Friday, the district attorney in Fort Bend County, John Healey Jr., said he had never investigated Mr. DeLay or TRMPAC and had spoken with Mr. Earle for the first time on Thursday. "He indicated to me that his comments were not intended to signal that he had anything imminent to refer to this office regarding Tom DeLay," Mr. Healey said. Mr. Earle confirmed that. "I'm not referring anything to his office," he said. Democrats cited the latest indictment as fresh reason for Mr. DeLay to step down as majority leader. But it's unclear whether the charges would affect an expected ethics investigation in the U.S. House. Last year, the House ethics committee declined to look into allegations of campaign violations at TRMPAC, citing the ongoing criminal inquiry in Austin. Jan Baran, a Washington lawyer who represented former Speaker Newt Gingrich before the ethics panel, said he doubts the indictment affects the DeLay case. "There's got to be an allegation," Mr. Baran said. "What is the allegation against Mr. DeLay vis-à-vis TRMPAC – that he had a title and that individuals who ran TRMPAC on a day-to-day basis allegedly violated Texas law?"

Bush Still Beats Kerry

George Bush is taking a beating. His job approval rating is now 41% according to a Zogby poll of 1157 likely voters. He is matched against every sitting president since Carter and loses, but even with all that going against him, he still beats John Kerry.

In a sign of just how severe the damage to the President’s standing caused by Katrina is, the Zogby America survey finds that, despite his re-election last fall, President Bush would lose to every modern president since Jimmy Carter, the one-term Democrat who left office amid record unpopularity and a presidency rated, at the time, dismally. He would also lose to his own father, who left office amid an economic recession triggered, in part, by a devastating hurricane. However, in one of the few bright spots for the President, he would still beat Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry, by a narrow, one-point margin.

Safe House, Bombmaker Blown up Near Syrian Border

Story LINK

September 8, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition air forces conducted an air strike against an al Qaida terrorist safe house in the vicinity of Husaybah,Iraq near the Syrian border at approximately 1:11 a.m. Sept. 8. A known bomb-making cell leader, Abu Mohammad, was targeted in the safe-house strike. Mohammad has been linked extensively to other al Qaida terrorists and foreign fighters in Husaybah and throughout the Western Euphrates Valley. Additionally, he is known to have worked directly for Abu Islam, the al Qaida Emir of Husaybah, who was killed by a Coalition air strike last week. Intelligence sources confirm that Abu Muhammad is known to have been involved in numerous vehicle-borne explosive device and improvised explosive device attacks on Coalition forces. He is also responsible for numerous direct attacks on Iraqi security and Coalition forces. Intelligence sources place Abu Mohammed in the tribal fighting that has occurred in Husaybah, where al Qaida terrorists murdered local Iraqis who opposed Iraqi al Qaida. The type of munitions used and the time the air strike was conducted mitigated risks to civilians in the local area.

U.S. SOLDIERS, IRAQI ARMY DETAIN 36 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS

You won't find this in the pages of your local paper.

September 1, 2005 FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Army forces and U.S. Soldiers detained 24 suspected terrorists during a cordon and search mission southwest of Iskandariyah Aug. 29. The Soldiers were from the 1st Battalion 155th Infantry, 155th BCT, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Additionally, Soldiers of the 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, detained 12 suspected terrorists in the village of Owesat Aug 29th. The 155th BCT is a U.S. Army unit assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Centcom News Release LINK

48TH BRIGAGDE DETAINS TERRORISTS, FINDS WEAPONS CACHE

Or this.

September 1, 2005 CAMP STRIKER, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers detained five suspected terrorists during a routine patrol on the evening of Aug. 27. The U.S. Soldiers were assisted by local residents who pointed out an unfamiliar white sedan which they said did not belong in the area. Soldiers from C Company, 295th Infantry Battalion, 48th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division cordoned off the area and searched the vehicle. Inside the car, they discovered a large weapons cache which included a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, two RPG rounds, four AK-47 rifles, a machine gun, six body-armor vests, 23 hand grenades, and other significant evidence.

Centcom News Release LINK

AIR STRIKE TARGETS TERRORIST SAFE HAVEN IN HUSAYBAH, IRAQ

Or this.

September 1, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – At approximately 1:00 p.m. Sept. 1, Coalition Forces conducted an air strike against an identified terrorist safe haven in the western border town of Husaybah. Over the past two days, numerous reliable sources have observed approximately 50 Al Qaeda (AQIZ) terrorists staging weapons at a train station to be used in continued attacks against local Iraqis and coalition forces. Marine Corps F/A-18s destroyed the building using precision-guided 500 pound bombs. Coalition aircraft attacked similar safe houses Aug. 26 and Aug. 30 in Husaybah after Iraqi citizens reported that a large group of AQIZ terrorists were using an abandoned hotel and house to plan and launch attacks on local Iraqis and coalition forces. For the past five months, Marines based at Husaybah have reported an escalation in fighting between AQIZ terrorists and local tribes and attacks upon the Marines. The number of terrorists killed in the air strikes is undetermined at this time.

Centcom News Release LINK

COALITION FORCES BOMB TERRORIST SAFE HOUSES

Or this!

August 31, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – U.S. Marines have launched precision air strikes on several Al Qaeda in Iraq positions during the past five days. All of the coalition strikes were directed against targets that were confirmed to have armed Al Qaeda in Iraq members present. These terrorists and their safe havens were threats to Coalition Forces operating in the area. Additionally, Coalition Forces in Husaybah have confirmed that local Iraqis in the Husaybah-Al Qaim region are fighting against Abu Musab Zarqawi in western Al Anbar. Local sources in the area have reported Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists killing unarmed male Iraqis who oppose their organization and ideology. Reports further indicate that terrorists have been trying to exert influence and control over the border region. This control would allow them a greater ability to move foreign fighters and weapons across the Iraqi-Syrian border. Coalition Forces will continue to attack Al Qaeda in Iraq targets and stand committed to fighting the extremist elements who desire to rob Iraqis of their freedom and their ability to choose how to be governed. There is no reliable information to confirm the number of foreign fighters taking part in this latest violence.

Centcom News Release. LINK

The Lost City of New Orleans?

Think the people of New Orleans did not know what they were in for if a hurricane should hit the city? This eerily prophetic article titled "The Lost City of New Orleans?" was written in 2000. Some of it's highlights are excerpted below.

Louisiana's marshlands, the only buffer for hurricanes that come out of the Gulf, are slipping into the ocean at an alarming rate. New search indicates that just one major hurricane could put New Orleans under water. ... Research by the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that New Orleans is sinking faster than many realize and could be under water within 50 years. The city is facing a series of issues--disappearing wetlands that protect from hurricanes, levees that are too low to hold back flood waters, rising water tables, to name a few--that if not addressed soon could have New Orleans suffering the same fate as Atlantis. ... New Orleans sits on a bed of silt, sand and clay, which historically has been rebuilt with each flooding; new silt and sand are deposited when the river floods. But the levees that protect the city from flooding also prevent the rebuilding of the silt. As a result, New Orleans is sinking at a rate of one-third of an inch per year, which is not good for a city that is already eight feet below sea level. ... Pumping water from the soil has become a standard requirement for new construction. Drainage canals must be constructed for most regions within New Orleans. Yet even taking the water away creates a problem. "By putting in the drainage canals, you begin to drain the area," says McManis. "As you lower that water level, it adds additional weight to the surrounding soil. As a result, the soil begins to condense and cause down movement in the soil itself." The ground sinks even more. ... If it were left to residents and city officials, the status quo would prevail. One city official says of the flooding and subsidence, "We are below sea level and we do get floods sometimes, but it's not a real serious problem. You can still purchase flood insurance." Another city official expressed faith in the current levee system. ... "We need to bite the bullet as a society and say that we have a problem. Our coastline has 40 percent of our nation's wetlands and 80 percent of the loss occurs here. New Orleans needs a wake-up call. The city is on the verge of becoming extinct."

How To Crop A Picture And Create Fake Solemnity

Problem: You have this wonderful picture buried inside a crass photo of Cindy Sheehan and Al Sharpton in a crowd of media types. What do you do?

Judicious cropping removes most of the reporters, cameramen, and media equipment. The one thing you can't cut out is the guy with a video camera right behind Al Sharpton's head. But, not to worry, he could be Al's personal camera guy saving this moment for posterity.

Thanks to YAHOO for the photos.

Terrorists Kill, Maim Iraqi Children

Iraqi children bore the brunt of a terrorist rocket attack in Fallujah, Saturday 27.2005.

See It Here

U.S. MARINES AID VICTIMS OF ROCKET ATTACK CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – U.S. Marines transported children to a local hospital following a terrorist rocket attack in Ferris on Aug. 27. Seven children were wounded and one was killed in the attack. The wounded children were treated by a local doctor. Marines are currently building an operating base in the city.

Good News: Radical Muslim Hate Spewing Cleric Gets Beaten Up.

Unfortunately, this is heartening news, that is if it becomes a trend. The radical Muslim clerics who preach hate need to begin suffering the consequences of their actions.
Australian News has an article titled "Masked gang attacks controversial cleric".

Melbourne Islamic cleric Nacer Benbrika has been kidnapped and bashed, fuelling fears of a co-ordinated hate campaign against the nation's radical Muslims. ...Mr Benbrika - who has described Osama bin Laden as a great man - was kidnapped and bashed last week by two carloads of men wearing balaclavas. ... The assault, which ended in Mr Benbrika being treated in hospital, came less than 48 hours after former terror suspect Mamdouh Habib claimed he was stabbed in a Sydney park, also by hooded assailants. It also comes amid a community backlash against radical Muslim clerics in Australia in the wake of the London bombings. Benbrika, who is also known as Abu Bakr, has raised the ire of Prime Minister John Howard by openly supporting jihad overseas and claiming that local Muslims must adhere to two sets of laws - Islamic law and Australian law. His claims have angered non-Muslims and moderate Muslims, and the Islamic community in Melbourne is abuzz with speculation about who carried out the attack. ... Mr Benbrika, 45, was driving in Melbourne's northern suburbs last Tuesday night when two carloads of men forced him to pull over. The men then dragged Mr Benbrika into a car and drove him to a remote spot where he was bashed, before being dumped back in his home suburb of Broadmeadows. The cleric then visited a local hospital to get treatment for his injuries, which are not believed to be serious. He did not report the attack to police. Victoria's most senior Islamic cleric, Sheik Fehmi Naji el-Imam, said yesterday that he had no idea who might have carried out the attack. "I heard that somebody had attacked him, and they were wearing balaclavas, but we have no idea who it might have been." Mr Benbrika could not be contacted for comment. Mr Benbrika's home has been raided by ASIO twice this year in connection with a suspected terror plot to blow up Melbourne landmarks, including Flinders Street train station. The assault on Mr Benbrika came after Mr Habib claimed he was stabbed while walking in a Sydney park with his wife. Mr Habib, who was only slightly injured, believes the men attacked him because of press reports that he had been claiming payments from Centrelink since he was released from US detention in January. The attacks on Mr Benbrika and Mr Habib appear designed to send a warning rather than cause serious injury.

Why Don't We See News About Our Accomplishments In The War On Terror?

Below is a copy of the "Iraq" page of the Fort Worth Star Telegram but it could be any major newspaper in the U.S. Notice something? Almost all the headlines are negative, only a few are neutral, and none are positive. No mention of the schools opened, construction projects finished, continued build up of the Iraqi Army, and successful security operations. Why is that? There is positive news. Why is it not offered to us.

A publisher who relays only bad news is breaking the social contract between readers and publishers. The contract states: "The publishers will report all of the news and the readers will continue to believe it". The overall news media is breaking this contract by pretending that there is no good news and, predictably, the readers are peeling away. Due to talk radio, and the Internet, the positive news leaks out and the readers become aware of it and lose confidence in the newspapers. This same principle applies to TV media too. Eventually, this will result in the American People simply disbelieving anything the media puts out.

TOP NEWS FROM IRAQ Iraq's highest-ranking Sunni Muslim Arab criticizes constitution By Hannah Allam, Knight Ridder Newspapers One of Iraq's two vice presidents criticized the country's proposed new constitution on Monday as a threat to national unity and said he's considering asking his supporters to reject it when it's presented to voters this fall. LATEST AP IRAQ STORIES * U.S. launches airstrikes near Syria border * U.S. launches airstrikes near Syria border * Heavy fighting erupts in western Iraq * How Iraq's constitution vote will be done * Journalists' group Iraq media death probe KNIGHT RIDDER SPECIAL REPORT Echo Company returns home In April, 12 Marines on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq, died when their company was ambushed. Nearly six months later, the rest of the troops returned home to Camp Pendleton, Calif. Read about their bittersweet homecoming, as well as the stories of their fallen comrades. » Read the stories | Watch the video » Listen to the audio | See all photographs » Q&A: David Swanson | Joe Galloway MORE FROM THE BAGHDAD BUREAU * Sunnis warn of split as Iraqi leaders accept draft of constitution By Tom Lasseter, Hannah Allam and Mohammed Al Awsy, Knight Ridder Newspapers The Iraqi parliament accepted a final draft of a new constitution Sunday as top leaders from the nation's Sunni Muslim minority warned that the document could tear the country apart along sectarian lines. * Oil revenues, Islam among sticking points for Sunni minority By Richard Chin, Knight Ridder Newspapers Iraq's constitution works against the country's Sunni minority in many ways. * Iraqi forces may need years of preparation By Tom Lasseter, Knight Ridder Newspapers American Sgt. LaDaunte Strickland, sweat pouring down his face, stared at the four Iraqi soldiers sitting in the shade of a truck. They were supposed to be helping Strickland and a group of U.S. Marines man a vehicle-control point. * Fighting unseen enemy creates psychological pressure on troops By Tom Lasseter, Knight Ridder Newspapers The inability of U.S. forces to hold ground in Anbar province has put the Marines and soldiers there under intense physical and psychological pressure. * Iraq misses another constitution deadline By Richard Chin and Tom Lasseter, Knight Ridder Newspapers Iraq's ruling coalition missed another deadline to complete a constitution Thursday, putting off until Sunday a national assembly meeting to consider the document. * Iran covers all its bets in neighboring Iraq By Warren P. Strobel, Knight Ridder Newspapers When rival Shiite Muslim factions battled in Iraqi cities this week in a worrisome new turn for the country's stability, neighboring Iran had little to lose: It supports both factions. * Insurgency concentrated in areas along Euphrates River By Tom Lasseter, Knight Ridder Newspapers Iraq's insurgency has concentrated much of its fight against U.S. and Iraqi forces in towns along the murky waters of the Euphrates River, beginning with Qaim on the Syrian border and running through towns such as Haditha, Haqlaniya, Hit, Ramadi and Fallujah. * U.S., insurgents locked in stalemate By Tom Lasseter, Knight Ridder Newspapers American forces in Anbar province, the center of guerrilla resistance in Iraq, are trying to hold on to a handful of population centers and hit smaller towns in quick-strike operations. * One day before crucial vote, fighting breaks out in Najaf By Hannah Allam and Mohammed al Dulaimy, Knight Ridder Newspapers BAGHDAD, Iraq - After months of silence, rebel Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr placed his militiamen on high alert Wednesday and asked his followers in the Iraqi government to suspend their work as Iraq descended into political chaos a day before a crucial vote on its proposed new constitution. * Sunni opposition could derail Iraq's proposed constitution By Tom Lasseter, Richard Chin and Mohammed al Dulaimy, Knight Ridder Newspapers Top Sunni Muslim Arab leaders lashed out Tuesday against a draft constitution given to the Iraqi parliament the day before, threatening to mobilize voters against it in an October referendum. * Key provisions of the draft constitution Knight Ridder Newspapers Excerpts from the Iraqi draft constitution: The republic of Iraq is an independent sovereign state. Its ruling system is republican, parliamentary, democratic and federal.

Separated At Birth? Or Newspaper's Mistake?

Is Democrat Paula Hightower of Arlington the long lost sister of Republican Jane Nelson of Grapevine? Or has the Star Telegram made a mistake? In a story titled "Incumbent has strong challenger" the picture at the bottom is purported to be Paula Hightower Pierson. But is it? The picture of Senator Nelson is from the Internet

Senator Nelson Hightower