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Onward! Forward to backwardness! An update on this story. "Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists 'bombed Abuja police HQ'," from BBC News, June 17: An eyewitness told the BBC everybody was scared after the bombing There's that subheading again. And yes, bombs will do that. The Islamist group, Boko Haram, says it carried out Thursday's bombing of Nigeria's police headquarters which left at least six people dead. The attack comes days after Nigeria's police chief visited the north-eastern town of Maiduguri, where Boko Haram is based and vowed to defeat the group. The police say one of those who died was a...

President Obama reached out to lawmakers by conference call Friday to "update" them on operations in Libya and will speak publicly about the mission soon. White House press secretary Jay Carney during his briefing with reporters would not give any details on when Obama would speak about Libya, but said it will be “in the very near future.” The president was scheduled to hold a call Friday afternoon to inform members of "what we've accomplished thus far" and update them on "the transition of command and control to NATO," Carney said. Obama was to speak Friday with House and Senate...

<p>Mobster wisdom tells us never to bring a knife to a gun fight. But what does political wisdom say about bringing a gun to a knife fight?</p> <p>That’s exactly what Barack Obama said he would do to counter Republican attacks “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama said at a Philadelphia fundraiser Friday night. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”</p>

‘Black Hawk’ Troops Persist in Bringing Peace to Haifa Street Attacks on coalition forces in area drop more than 50 percent. By Spc. Alexis Harrison2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division BAGHDAD, April 10, 2007 — Troops from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division patrol the Haifa Street area daily, shadowed by scores of children who greet them at every stop they make to ask for chocolate or a soccer ball.   Most of the soldiers don't mind handing out sweets for the children while walking through the war-torn neighborhood the children call...

Story and photo by Sgt. Tony White5th Mobile Public Affairs Det. An Iraqi soldier laughs as he hands out toys to children in the village of Mukashyfa Nov. 2 as part of Operation Toy Drop. SAMARRAH -- The grin on the Iraqi soldier’s face widened as a little girl ran back to her house holding up a new stuffed animal up and showing it to her parents. Children smiling and parading off with their new toys was a common sight Thursday as Iraqi soldiers took a break from their normal duties to pass out toys. Stopping in the village...

CPAC 2007 Registration is now Open CPAC Early Bird Registration Deadline Fast Approaching Register today for the largest gathering of conservative political activists in the country! The 34th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) will be held on March 1-3, 2007, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Join Invited Speakers & Panelists Vice President Dick Cheney – Ann Coulter – Gov. Mike Huckabee – Sean Hannity – Michelle Malkin – Senator Bill Frist – David Horowitz – Wayne LaPierre – David Keene – Newt Gingrich – and many more! CPAC will feature book signings by the nation's leading...

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2006 — Coalition medical teams have treated more than 64,000 Afghan patients since August 2005 as part of a joint Afghan-Coalition effort to bring medical and humanitarian aid to all regions of the country. Coalition medical efforts have focused on treating patients while at the same time helping Afghanistan rebuild its medical infrastructure, said Air Force Col. Donald Thompson, the command surgeon for Coalition forces in Afghanistan. He spoke to reporters during a media roundtable event at Camp Eggers here Aug. 4. The end goal, said Thompson, is to give the Afghanistan government the capability to...

7/10/2006 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Whether refueling a fighter, bomber or a cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker continues to play a vital role in military air operations and the war on terrorism. "Everything we do has a direct impact on the war on terror and how the (United States) is viewed elsewhere in the world." said Lt. Col. Dave Cohen, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander. In one month, tanker crews completed more than 100 sorties, 617 hours of flying time and brought 7 million pounds of fuel to the fight -- a task that is being accomplished...

HANAU, Germany (Army News Service, July 6, 2006) – Coping with the carnage of war is challenging in the best of circumstances. Arriving at a hospital in a foreign land weak, injured and separated from one’s friends or fellow Soldiers only increases the trauma. Members of the Soldiers’ Angels make it their mission to help service members being treated for injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan at the Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, as well as other military hospitals. They offer friendship, visits and donations ranging from clothes to backpacks. Founded by Patti Patton-Bader, the mother of a Soldier who...

Soldiers bring smiles and toys Story and photo by SGT Rachel Brune 101st Sustainment Bde Maj. Richard Lazik hands a piece of candy to a child during a humanitarian assistance drop in northern Iraq June 21. DAHUK– Soldiers from across the 142nd Corps Support Battalion brought smiles and toys to children in one of Iraq 's northernmost provinces during a humanitarian assistance drop here June 21. “The 142nd enjoys this just as much as the kids enjoy it,” said Lt. Col. Ronald Green, battalion commander. “This will stay in the minds and hearts of my Soldiers.” Soldiers handed out...

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2006--The following is a statement by Christopher Wolf, Proskauer Rose LLP, Counsel for Ambassador Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson We have become aware of the communication between Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Luskin concerning Karl Rove's status in the criminal investigation. We have no first-hand knowledge of the reason for the communication or what further developments in the criminal investigation it may signal. While it appears that Mr. Rove will not be called to answer in criminal court for his participation in the wrongful disclosure of Valerie Wilson's classified employment status at the CIA in retaliation against...

HANOI, Vietnam, June 6, 2006 – Aging witnesses and more urban areas are making it harder to find remains or evidence of missing American servicemembers in Vietnam, but a select group of experts here works year-round to fulfill the U.S. military's pledge to leave no man behind. A team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command along with several locally hired Vietnamese workers clean up a recovery site to prepare it to be photographed in 2004. The site is located in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. Photo by Sgt. Douglas Stubblefield, USMC    The seven-member team -- four servicemembers and three...

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2006 – Every day, officials at the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency track the status of efforts to find 20 Americans believed to still be alive but "isolated" outside the United States. In personnel recovery terminology, isolated personnel are U.S. servicemembers, Defense Department civilians, or contractors separated from their unit who are or may be in a situation where they must survive, evade, resist or escape, a specialist in these "SERE" techniques said here yesterday. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shawn E. Cross, a SERE specialist at the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va., described his unit's...

JIJIGA, Ethiopia (NNS) -- Members of the water well drilling unit of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 from Gulfport, Miss., are making a difference in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia by drilling wells that will produce clean drinking water for residents, as well as water for crops and livestock. The Seabees have been in the remote region since February drilling into known aquifers, or underground lakes, from which to draw the water. Their goal is to drill as many wells as possible and provide as much water as possible. “For the most part, the people of the region depended...

Sara, a Baghdad youngster, shows off her Beanie Baby, "Courage." The toy was a gift from Maj. Jim Barker, whose letter back home telling his family how much the child loved the toy resulted in the non-profit organization Beanies for Baghdad being founded in May 2003.Spc. Karl Johnson • Printer-friendly version ‘Beanies for Baghdad’ bring smiles to Iraq’s futureBy Spc. Karl Johnson February 10, 2006 BAGHDAD (Feb. 10, 2006) – In a country where having any kind of toy is a rarity, Soldiers passing out beanie babies to Iraqi children can become very popular. “The children’s faces just light...

Iraqi army soldiers assigned to 1st Platoon, Company D, march to the training area at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2006. U.S. Army photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin Iraqi Troops Bring Combat Experience to Training Iraqi soldiers finish a training cycle in which U.S. soldiers provided the course curriculum, and an Iraqi officer led the training. By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs AD DAWR, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2006 — The Iraqi army is gradually taking the place of coalition soldiers and "putting an Iraqi face on security,"...

Merkel's 'small steps' bring giant leap in popularity By Tony Paterson in Berlin (Filed: 22/01/2006) Angela Merkel, Germany's Chancellor, has confounded her critics by emerging as the country's most popular leader for more than a decade - only two months after being elected. Dismissed only six months ago as a humourless and dowdy East German, Mrs Merkel is riding a wave of unprecedented public approval that last week placed her at the top of Germany's key opinion poll rating for politicians. Angela Merkel's image has changed for good The monthly survey conducted by the ZDF television channel found voters rated...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Jan. 10, 2006) -- When out on the Station there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my car to see what was the matter. Roars of Chevy engines ringing out through the skies, and my eyes not prepared for such a grand surprise. The sun on my back, but the day still cold and the distant sound of helicopters on patrol. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but 41 shinning Corvettes, bringing holiday cheer. A familiar sight to Marines and families of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-26 as dozens of Corvettes...

U.S. Army soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, distribute needed supplies during a humanitarian assistance mission to bring food, water, clothes, toys and medical supplies to Iraqi citizens, Nov. 6, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Carr U.S. Soldiers Bring Food, Water to Iraqis Local residents joined the soldiers to help with the unloading,forming a human chain to carry the supplies. By U.S. Army Capt. Douglas Herrmann and Spc. Carlos Caro 1/10th Mountain Division BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 30, 2005 — Taking the fight aggressively to terrorists comes naturally for U.S. soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion,...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- Some Marines stationed in Iraq have had the unique experience of deploying or crossing paths with a relative or other loved one while here. For one Marine serving with 2nd Military Police Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), she had the opportunity to deploy with her best friend. Lance Cpl. Megan Leavey, 22, military police dog handler, arrived in Iraq late May with her partner Rex, a German Shepherd, to provide force protection for Camp Fallujah as well as security at entry control points in the city. Leavey and Rex began training together...

U.S. Army Spc. Melanie Williams, Charlie Company, 173rd Support Battalion (Airborne), shows an Afghan girl proper dental hygiene techniques during a Village Medical Outreach Mission in Atghar, Zabul Province, Oct. 21, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell   Village Medical Outreach Photos Part I Part II Troops Bring Medical Aid to Afghan Villages Combined Task Force Bayonet conducts medical outreach programs in three villages in the embattled Zabul province. By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell Combined Task Force Bayonet ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Nov. 2, 2005 — Coalition and Afghan doctors conducted a Village Medical Outreach mission...

Iraqi Army Sgt. Maj. Nameer Mohammed (left) and U.S. Army Capt. Roger Miick, a civil affairs officer assigned to the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, discuss a humanitarian aid mission in Baghdad, Oct. 26, 2005. U.S. Army photo Troops Bring Food, Water to Baghdad Neighborhood Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers conduct a humanitarian mission to residents of the Seven Palaces neighborhood. By U.S. Army Spc. Ben Brody 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs SEVEN PALACES, Iraq, Nov. 1, 2005 — Iraqi Army troops, in coordination with U.S. soldiers from 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, distributed food and water to residents of Seven Palaces...

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 26, 2005) -- Some service members walk away with a snack, maybe a can of soda or a pack of cigarettes, but one thing that everyone walks away with is a smile on their face. Traveling from Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, a small group of Marines loads up and heads out to various forward operating bases. Their mission -- to provide a small piece of comfort to service members who don’t have the luxury of an immediate post exchange at their location. Today’s stop is Combat Outpost, located in the heart of Ramadi and the center of...

U.S. Army Sgt. Tyson R. Rolland, an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, gives a piece of candy to a young boy while searching his family's home during a cordon and search mission in Tall Afar, Iraq, Sept. 27, 2005. Rolland is a native of Hopemills, N.C. U.S.Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt More Photos U.S. Troops Work to Bring Security to Iraqi City U.S. soldiers implement a plan to bring security to Tall Afar, amid insurgents fightingcoalition forces and each other and allegations of local corruption. By U.S. Army Pfc. James...

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2005 — The humvees descended on Salhiya in the blink of an eye. Roads were closed and cordons were established as armor-clad soldiers stepped from their vehicles, wary eyes hidden behind dark glasses. As the dismounted U.S. soldiers got closer to the crowd, their tight-lipped expressions suddenly turned into smiles as children circled around for hugs. The children were orphans excited about another visit from the soldiers of A Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor, 4th Brigade Combat Team. The orphanage fell under the company’s normal patrol route so the soldiers and the children were well acquainted,...

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNI) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are working together to help bring communications back to installations affected by Hurricane Katrina. According to Tina Donbeck, CNI’s Information Technology (IT) Program Manager, Applications Branch, “NRL has offered up their Infralynx Assured Communications System. It consists of two mobile communication vans, which will deploy to the Gulf Coast and provide classified and unclassified connections. The vans also have satellite capabilities that will help with radio communications,” she said. CNI’s IT Department is also helping to set up wireless connectivity for the ships in Mayport, Fla. “It...

NEW ORLEANS - To cries of "Thank you, Jesus!" and catcalls of "What took you so long?," a National Guard convoy packed with food, water and medicine rolled through axle-deep floodwaters Friday into what remained of New Orleans and descended into a maelstrom of fires and floating corpses. "Lord, I thank you for getting us out of here!" Leschia Radford shrieked amid a throng of tens of thousands of storm victims outside the New Orleans Convention Center. More than four days after the storm hit, the caravan of at least three-dozen camouflage-green troop vehicles and supply trucks arrived along with...

DENVER (Aug. 17) - If a group of prominent ecologists have their way, lions and elephants could someday be roaming the Great Plains of North America The idea of transplanting African wildlife to this continent is being greeted with gasps and groans from other scientists and conservationists who recall previous efforts to relocate foreign species halfway around the world, often with disastrous results. But the proposal's supporters say it could help save some species from extinction in Africa, where protection is spotty and habitats are vanishing. They say the relocated animals could also restore the biodiversity in North America to...

Famous DJ Cronauer now works to bring POWs home By EARL WATT Southwest Daily Times In 1979, Adrian Cronauer had an idea. "MASH" was the No. 1 television sitcom, and "WKRP" was extremely popular as well. Cronauer, an Armed Forces disc jockey during the Vietnam conflict, thought that combining the MASH and WKRP formats, and centering them around Vietnam, would be entertaining. "The problem was, in 1979, no one thought you could do a comedy about Vietnam," Cronauer said while visiting Liberal for the USO show, Command Performance," at the Mid-America Air Museum slated to begin at 7 tonight. His...

Many observers hold that the death of former Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and the subsequent election of Mahmoud Abbas to lead the Palestinian Authority have created a window of opportunity for the U.S. government to set a course for a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. For the Palestinians, this should mean a democratic Palestinian state under the rule of law and the right to pursue health, prosperity, and freedom. For Israel, this should mean national security and peace. For the White House, there are both practical and moral imperatives to encourage the Israeli and Palestinian people to...

MONTROSE - The political party with Front Range roots will be looking for fertile ground in Montrose this weekend. The state Libertarian Party, whose national organization was founded in Colorado Springs in 1971, will host its state convention in Montrose this weekend, with the heart of the gathering taking place all day Saturday at Friendship Hall. "It's terrific. We were lucky to be able to host it," said Western Slope Libertarian Party member and Montrose business owner Tim Jacobs. "We're looking forward to having the members from around the state come to Montrose and enjoy the Western Slope. We've got...

Campaign to bring 'Red Lady' back to Swansea after 180 years Dec 27 2004 Robin Turner, Western Mail THE chairman of Swansea's tourism association is backing an Elgin Marbles style campaign to secure the return to Wales of the Red Lady of Paviland. The skeleton of the "red lady", complete with jewellery and a mammoth's head grave marker, is regarded as one of the world's most important archaeological finds. It was discovered in 1823 at Paviland Cave on Gower. Later analysis showed the skeleton to be that of a man, probably a chieftain, but the Red Lady tag has stuck....

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

MIAMI - Along with their destructive force, hurricanes can have beneficial effects as part of the rhythm of nature. Storms that erode beaches, uproot trees and flatten wildlife habitats may also refresh waterways, revive dry areas and bulk up barrier islands with redistributed sand. "What we see is the damage it does to our structures, but it can actually renew areas," said Karen Westphal, a coastal scientist at Louisiana State University's School of the Coast and Environment. Hurricane Frances could help the Everglades, which is already undergoing a $8.4 billion environmental restoration. "Hurricanes are a vital part of the natural...

'Why did you bring us? This is a slaughter' Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Kufa Friday August 27, 2004 The Guardian (UK) They came one wave after another: Shia demonstrators with banners and pictures of their ayatollahs and imams running towards the hidden line of men who were marked only by flying bullets. Beating their chests and shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is most great) at first they appeared not to realise the barrage they were confronting. When two or three men fell injured their colleagues picked them up and retreated. Only when the gunfire became heavy and bullets started whizzing overhead, peppering...

Al-Qa'eda 'is planning to bring down Saudi royalty' By Robin Gedye, Foreign Affairs Writer (Filed: 11/11/2003) Al-Qa'eda is aiming to topple the Saudi government, America said yesterday. "It is quite clear to me that al-Qa'eda wants to take down the royal family and government of Saudi Arabia," said Richard Armitage, the US deputy secretary of state. "But the attack [on a residential compound at the weekend] is a sign of desperation and not of someone who is going to succeed in upsetting the political structure of the country." Security for diplomats and foreign workers has been increased after the explosion...

'Help bring these evil bastards to justice' By Sandra Laville and John Steele (Filed: 18/10/2002) In the depths of her grief, a mother yesterday condemned the "evil bastards" who had robbed her of a fun-loving and precious daughter in the Bali bombing. After four days of silence, Andrea Shearman learned from the police on Wednesday that her daughter, Emma Fox, 32, was among the dead who are filling the Sanglah hospital. Speaking from her home in Pinner, north London, Mrs Shearman said she wanted the lives of the perpetrators "extinguished". "Let the world know what these bastards have done," she...