If you only visit one website today, visit this one.
Hat tip: Stefania.
Please also visit this post on the real peace movement.
2004-12-26
Update
Shabbat in Portland was wet and quiet. Wet, as is usual for the Northwest at this time of year, and quiet, because it was also Christmas day.
I had an enjoyable Friday night dinner - and some very stimulating conversation - with some friends from shul. Saturday I stayed home, reading and resting up. Today I'm going to try to get a little more fresh air and AFK time, and expect to return to regular blogging tomorrow.
Meanwhile, many thanks - as always - to regular, new, and visiting readers. Please take a moment to view these links if you haven't yet:
Important sites:
Democracy for the Middle East
Debka
Iraq the Model
Armies of Liberation
The Belmont Club
Blog Iran
Winds of Change
Important posts at Dreams Into Lightning:
Doctorow and the Unfeeling Left
Disengagement: The Messy Divorce
State vs. Defense
Thanksgiving Day Post: Freedom and Responsibility
The Kabbalah
I had an enjoyable Friday night dinner - and some very stimulating conversation - with some friends from shul. Saturday I stayed home, reading and resting up. Today I'm going to try to get a little more fresh air and AFK time, and expect to return to regular blogging tomorrow.
Meanwhile, many thanks - as always - to regular, new, and visiting readers. Please take a moment to view these links if you haven't yet:
Important sites:
Democracy for the Middle East
Debka
Iraq the Model
Armies of Liberation
The Belmont Club
Blog Iran
Winds of Change
Important posts at Dreams Into Lightning:
Doctorow and the Unfeeling Left
Disengagement: The Messy Divorce
State vs. Defense
Thanksgiving Day Post: Freedom and Responsibility
The Kabbalah
2004-12-22
Posting Break
I'll be taking a break from new posting for the next few days. Morning Report will stand down. Expect to be back to regular schedule by New Year's.
2004-12-21
New in the Dreams Into Lightning Universe
Our World War II hero gives us an insider's view of six weeks in New Zealand - where the 37th Infantry Division had hoped to spend the duration of the war. We get the feeling that by the time combat came along, the cannoneers had a pretty good idea of how to fire their pieces. The soldiers endure the pomp and ceremony of military life and manage to keep a straight face for the generals and admirals. Besides the fun-filled frolic of the "cannoneer's hop", the men of the 37th enjoy music - not only the merry tune known as the "general's march" but also the nightly entertainment of "colors". One bugler gives it his all. Read the conclusion of Chapter 2 at Pacific Memories.
Marking the solstice, I've posted my father's solstice poem at Urban Renewal. Also newly posted poetry at Wilderness Vision.
I have organized the posts at The Iraqi Holocaust and Iraqi Holocaust Files. Currently I am not actively updating these sites; however readers are always encouraged to submit information for these blogs.
Dreams Into Lightning Amalgamated now features Morning Report archives for December and the complete New Republican series.
Enjoy, and as always, thanks for visiting.
Marking the solstice, I've posted my father's solstice poem at Urban Renewal. Also newly posted poetry at Wilderness Vision.
I have organized the posts at The Iraqi Holocaust and Iraqi Holocaust Files. Currently I am not actively updating these sites; however readers are always encouraged to submit information for these blogs.
Dreams Into Lightning Amalgamated now features Morning Report archives for December and the complete New Republican series.
Enjoy, and as always, thanks for visiting.
Update
With the Fadhils back home and back in action, I feel like I can relax just a tiny bit! Need to tear myself away from the keyboard now. This evening I hope to post on my visit to the mosque, and also I want to pass on a couple of really good articles that have been making the blogospheric rounds, and a couple of domestic issues I want to address. Meanwhile, I've got to go clear my head and get some fresh air.
Morning Report: December 21, 2004
Omar, Mohammed return to Baghdad and to ITM. Omar and Mohammed Fadhil have returned safely to Baghdad following their US tour with Spirit of America. They have resumed posting on the popular and influential Iraq The Model blog; however, their brother Ali has announced that he is leaving ITM. We wish him well. (ITM)
Allawi: "We are going to win definitely." Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi warned that enemy groups are trying to foment a civil war and subvert democracy in Iraq, but declared, "We are going to win definitely and the political process would continue in Iraq." The AP story at Fox continues: '"What is happening is that we are facing an enemy heavily supported even in some cases with superior weapons," Allawi said. "We will have setbacks, we are having setbacks, but we are determined to continue the fight."' (AP via Fox)
Iraq to restrict Iranian access. According to recent reports, the Iraqi government will tighten restrictions on Iranians visiting Iraq, apparently from concern over attempts by the Iranian regime to influence upcoming Iraqi elections. 'Iraq’s ambassador to Iran announced that presently the Iraqi embassy does not grant visas to any Iranian national, Iran’s Hamshahri Daily reported. Mohammad Majid Al-Sheikh added: “We will only provide those Iranians with visas who hold a permit from the Iranian Foreign Ministry or those Iranian traders who are a member of the country’s Commerce Chamber.”'
Allawi: "We are going to win definitely." Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi warned that enemy groups are trying to foment a civil war and subvert democracy in Iraq, but declared, "We are going to win definitely and the political process would continue in Iraq." The AP story at Fox continues: '"What is happening is that we are facing an enemy heavily supported even in some cases with superior weapons," Allawi said. "We will have setbacks, we are having setbacks, but we are determined to continue the fight."' (AP via Fox)
Iraq to restrict Iranian access. According to recent reports, the Iraqi government will tighten restrictions on Iranians visiting Iraq, apparently from concern over attempts by the Iranian regime to influence upcoming Iraqi elections. 'Iraq’s ambassador to Iran announced that presently the Iraqi embassy does not grant visas to any Iranian national, Iran’s Hamshahri Daily reported. Mohammad Majid Al-Sheikh added: “We will only provide those Iranians with visas who hold a permit from the Iranian Foreign Ministry or those Iranian traders who are a member of the country’s Commerce Chamber.”'
2004-12-17
Creating the World You Love
A few years ago, a woman I'd known since we were kids (and with whom I was madly, and quite hopelessly, in love) introduced me to a book called "Creating the Work You Love" by Rick Jarow. Trained in both Eastern and Western traditions, Jarow eschews the traditional career-track model for what he mischievously calls an "Anti-Career" - work that frees you rather than enslaving you. Jarow's method - derived from the chakra system - offers a framework for finding a path to a better livelihood. But the value of the system isn't limited to the 9-to-5 world; it can be applied to anything worthwhile. I've adapted Jarow's system here:
CREATING THE WORLD YOU LOVE
1. Abundance: "a visceral feeling of trust in life, self-esteem, and the value of being who you are in the world". Our enemies tell us: "You seek life, and we seek death." We do indeed seek life. We trust in life, in the world's abundance, in our own nature.
2. Feeling: "What do you care about? What makes you indignant enough to change yourself and/or the world?" Cynicism is our greatest enemy.
3. Focus: We are responsible for our own direction. Progress is not a straight line, nor a static, idealistic utopia. It is a path - a trajectory, perhaps - whose shape we can but dimly discern and whose destination is hidden from us by the Mysterious One. We can begin by setting goals for six months in the future - goals that, if we can achieve them, will give us reason to feel better about ourselves and the world.
4. Sharing: "The heart is the seat of prosperity." All of us - conservatives, liberals, neoconservatives, independents - can work together. We must. By sharing with others, helping the poor in our hometowns and in faraway lands, by sending "care packages" to our warriors who fight for freedom; and by networking, sharing ideas, building coalitions, talking with our neighbors, speaking up for what's right, learning from others - we become part of the whole even as we find ourselves.
5. Creativity: "If the job you want does not presently exist, you can create it! Have a vision of the world as it could be, not a concept (i.e. freedom, justice, equality) but an actual visceral sense of what could be." Our enemies - who worship brutal totalitarianism and abject anarchy - are especially weak here because they lack any positive vision of the future. That vision is what gives the struggle meaning and power - and brings responsibility.
6. Spirit: By opening ourselves to the higher Plan, we bring the Spirit into our struggle.
7. Mystery: "There are forces at work that we cannot even begin to conceive of." Authoritarianism believes in having all the answers. Civilized beings know that we will never have all the answers; we live by asking questions. And we live by faith.
This morning I spent a couple of hours at Fred Meyer shopping for care-packages for our troops. There is always more to do. But for now, it's time to let go of action and get ready for Shabbat.
CREATING THE WORLD YOU LOVE
1. Abundance: "a visceral feeling of trust in life, self-esteem, and the value of being who you are in the world". Our enemies tell us: "You seek life, and we seek death." We do indeed seek life. We trust in life, in the world's abundance, in our own nature.
2. Feeling: "What do you care about? What makes you indignant enough to change yourself and/or the world?" Cynicism is our greatest enemy.
3. Focus: We are responsible for our own direction. Progress is not a straight line, nor a static, idealistic utopia. It is a path - a trajectory, perhaps - whose shape we can but dimly discern and whose destination is hidden from us by the Mysterious One. We can begin by setting goals for six months in the future - goals that, if we can achieve them, will give us reason to feel better about ourselves and the world.
4. Sharing: "The heart is the seat of prosperity." All of us - conservatives, liberals, neoconservatives, independents - can work together. We must. By sharing with others, helping the poor in our hometowns and in faraway lands, by sending "care packages" to our warriors who fight for freedom; and by networking, sharing ideas, building coalitions, talking with our neighbors, speaking up for what's right, learning from others - we become part of the whole even as we find ourselves.
5. Creativity: "If the job you want does not presently exist, you can create it! Have a vision of the world as it could be, not a concept (i.e. freedom, justice, equality) but an actual visceral sense of what could be." Our enemies - who worship brutal totalitarianism and abject anarchy - are especially weak here because they lack any positive vision of the future. That vision is what gives the struggle meaning and power - and brings responsibility.
6. Spirit: By opening ourselves to the higher Plan, we bring the Spirit into our struggle.
7. Mystery: "There are forces at work that we cannot even begin to conceive of." Authoritarianism believes in having all the answers. Civilized beings know that we will never have all the answers; we live by asking questions. And we live by faith.
This morning I spent a couple of hours at Fred Meyer shopping for care-packages for our troops. There is always more to do. But for now, it's time to let go of action and get ready for Shabbat.
Osama
Earlier this week I saw the film "Osama" with my good friend Gila (who is a regular reader of this blog, and to whom I am deeply indebted for ideas and encouragement). I don't know how to describe this film other than to say it is simply harrowing. There is little or no graphic violence. There are few direct references to large-scale atrocities. Instead, the film drags you, day by day, through the relentless cruelties and humiliations endured by individual women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. You know, even though you don't want to know, that what you're being shown in the story of "Osama" - a young girl who disguises herself as a boy to survive - has been repeated millions of times in millions of lives.
Remember, too, that it is happening today, right now, in Iran and elsewhere. (There is hope for Afghanistan, but there is still a long road ahead for Afghan women.) When you read about people like Leyla, remember that what we are hearing is only a tiny shadow of the evil.
Remember, too, that it is happening today, right now, in Iran and elsewhere. (There is hope for Afghanistan, but there is still a long road ahead for Afghan women.) When you read about people like Leyla, remember that what we are hearing is only a tiny shadow of the evil.
Let's blogroll!
Michael J. Totten wins the "Best Post Title of the Day" award for this. I think it'd make a pretty good bumper sticker too.
Rachel Lucas is the Dorothy Parker of the blogosphere. She's back from the dead once again, this time in the incarnation of Blue-Eyed Infidel, and she'd like you to know that she will not, repeat NOT, be running Comments this time around. She likes Eomer from LOTR, but doesn't like babbling hobbits. (Hobblits?) Don't think she'd care for Shane's hairstyle in "The L Word" either, but she does approve of Lindsay Lohan, and I'm inclined to agree.
Rachel Lucas is the Dorothy Parker of the blogosphere. She's back from the dead once again, this time in the incarnation of Blue-Eyed Infidel, and she'd like you to know that she will not, repeat NOT, be running Comments this time around. She likes Eomer from LOTR, but doesn't like babbling hobbits. (Hobblits?) Don't think she'd care for Shane's hairstyle in "The L Word" either, but she does approve of Lindsay Lohan, and I'm inclined to agree.
Morning Report: December 17, 2004
Roh, Koizumi meet. Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi met with South Korea's Roh Moo Hyun Friday on the Japanese island of Kyushu. The leaders discussed North Korean issues including still-missing Japanese citizens kidnapped by the DPRK in the 1970s and 1980s, and North Korea's nuclear program. Reuters reports that the leaders agreed that it was too early to impose sanctions: '"I am not saying I am opposed to sanctions or that they are impossible. But even if they are to be carried out, the decision should be made cautiously and calmly," said Roh, speaking through an interpreter. Roh added that it was his hope that such measures would not have a detrimental effect on the six-party talks or Japan's efforts to normalize ties with North Korea. ' (Reuters)
Bug found at United Nations. A bugging device was discovered at the United Nations in a room used by officials for conferences concerning the Iraq situation. The device is said to be of apparent East European or Russian origin and at least 3 - 4 years old. The Scotsman reports that 'The art deco room [known as the Salon Francais] in the UN’s European headquarters hosts a teleconference meeting between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the head of the Geneva office, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, every Wednesday. ' (The Scotsman)
Tehran likely to try to foil Iraqi elections. The Iranian regime, frustrated by recent setbacks to its nuclear program, will likely stage an all-out offensive to try to sabotage upcoming Palestinian and Iraqi elections, some analysts believe. An important article available from Debka discloses that 'US agents foil Iran’s import of smuggled “laser guns” for uranium enrichment. They blew up components crated for shipment in source country'. Amir Taheri writes that Iran 'wants to bleed the United States as much as possible en route to eventual success in Iraq. The cost of success should be so high as to make it impossible for the Bush administration, or its successors, to win popular support at home for any similar venture, for example, in targeting Iran itself.' Michael Ledeen argues that Iran is 'the keystone of the terrorist edifice, and that we are doomed to confront it sooner or later, nuclear or not.'
Bug found at United Nations. A bugging device was discovered at the United Nations in a room used by officials for conferences concerning the Iraq situation. The device is said to be of apparent East European or Russian origin and at least 3 - 4 years old. The Scotsman reports that 'The art deco room [known as the Salon Francais] in the UN’s European headquarters hosts a teleconference meeting between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the head of the Geneva office, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, every Wednesday. ' (The Scotsman)
Tehran likely to try to foil Iraqi elections. The Iranian regime, frustrated by recent setbacks to its nuclear program, will likely stage an all-out offensive to try to sabotage upcoming Palestinian and Iraqi elections, some analysts believe. An important article available from Debka discloses that 'US agents foil Iran’s import of smuggled “laser guns” for uranium enrichment. They blew up components crated for shipment in source country'. Amir Taheri writes that Iran 'wants to bleed the United States as much as possible en route to eventual success in Iraq. The cost of success should be so high as to make it impossible for the Bush administration, or its successors, to win popular support at home for any similar venture, for example, in targeting Iran itself.' Michael Ledeen argues that Iran is 'the keystone of the terrorist edifice, and that we are doomed to confront it sooner or later, nuclear or not.'
2004-12-16
Update
As you may have noticed, I've been putting in a fair amount of time at the keyboard this past week. I still have a lot of ideas for Dreams Into Lightning and its affiliated blogs, and I will probably continue in "high gear" through next week. (Yes, I do have a life outside of blogging.)
Miscellaneous tech notes. My views may not always be PC, but I did break down and buy a Toshiba laptop with Windows XP. I do love my 17" iBook and my G5 desktop, but there are some things that Microsoft just does better - or that Mac won't do at all. (Sorry, Charles and Helen.) As a long-suffering Windows ME user, I found Mac to be a breath of fresh air. I've got to tell you, though, that I found myself growing tired of the "Spinning Beachball of Death" and the unapologetic announcement that "This application has unexpectedly quit." (Would I like to send a bug report to Apple? Honestly, I'd really rather they had fixed the problem before I bought the product. But I digress.) I never could get used to the Apple keyboards. The G5's keyboard sticks, and looks like a 20-year-old IBM keyboard. The notebook feels like an oversized pocket calculator; more problematically, it's much too easy to hit the shift key and the up-arrow key at the same time, thus highlighting (and, on the next keystroke, DELETING) a large block of text. And would it have killed them to include a forward-delete key? And there are so many little features that just don't operate on Mac - the formatting buttons on Blogger, for instance, and the AOL browser's handy drop-down mail preview. Reliablity? Well, it looks like old Bill has finally gotten his act together, that's all I can say.
This isn't a pro-Windows or anti-Mac post, although I know loyalties are very strong on both sides. I do like the sound and picture quality I get from my G5 - Apple is without peer in that department, for sure, and I wouldn't trust my RealMyst or Mathematica to a PC.
My own technical expertise is exactly zero, so I'm sure there are all kinds of geeky solutions and work-arounds that would make my computer life easier if I'd only take the time to learn them. Well, what can I say.
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 2. As some other ITM regulars have noticed in the past, Blog*spot pages don't always refresh right away on the AOL browser for some reason. (I've found this with both AOL/Mac and AOL/Windows.) The work-around seems to be to close AOL and open another browser (MSIE or Safari, for example) and then switch back to AOL again.
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 3. You probably grew up being taught to shut things down when you're finished using them; nowadays they say you shouldn't power down your computer too often (just put it on power saver) so you don't wear it out. There's a happy medium though; apparently it's best to shut down at least once a day because this gives the computer the chance to clear out garbage files. (Learned from experience: when I stopped doing that, my Safari browser began running very slowly and finally ground to a standstill - until I re-started, or powered down, the machine.)
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 4. My Toshiba never crashed until I installed a new HP printer. The crash reports from Microsoft identified the printer driver as the problem. After a couple of sessions with the HP help desk, I tracked down the problem - a bunch of applications that run automatically in the tray and don't really serve any useful purpose. The tech told me how to get them off of the startup menu (they're not on the regular menu, you have to run "msconfig" and uncheck a bunch of boxes). That solved the problem; since then, I haven't had a single crash with my Toshiba. So that's why I say it looks like Microsoft has cleaned up its act. I'm still not giving up my Apple gear though.
Back to the non-cybernetic world: after I get my blogs up to where I'd like them to be, I plan to take a short hiatus of a few days (a week at the most) to catch up on reading, outdoors time, social life, and other AFK stuff. After that, hopefully I'll be able to establish a regular schedule for the blogging end of things.
Miscellaneous tech notes. My views may not always be PC, but I did break down and buy a Toshiba laptop with Windows XP. I do love my 17" iBook and my G5 desktop, but there are some things that Microsoft just does better - or that Mac won't do at all. (Sorry, Charles and Helen.) As a long-suffering Windows ME user, I found Mac to be a breath of fresh air. I've got to tell you, though, that I found myself growing tired of the "Spinning Beachball of Death" and the unapologetic announcement that "This application has unexpectedly quit." (Would I like to send a bug report to Apple? Honestly, I'd really rather they had fixed the problem before I bought the product. But I digress.) I never could get used to the Apple keyboards. The G5's keyboard sticks, and looks like a 20-year-old IBM keyboard. The notebook feels like an oversized pocket calculator; more problematically, it's much too easy to hit the shift key and the up-arrow key at the same time, thus highlighting (and, on the next keystroke, DELETING) a large block of text. And would it have killed them to include a forward-delete key? And there are so many little features that just don't operate on Mac - the formatting buttons on Blogger, for instance, and the AOL browser's handy drop-down mail preview. Reliablity? Well, it looks like old Bill has finally gotten his act together, that's all I can say.
This isn't a pro-Windows or anti-Mac post, although I know loyalties are very strong on both sides. I do like the sound and picture quality I get from my G5 - Apple is without peer in that department, for sure, and I wouldn't trust my RealMyst or Mathematica to a PC.
My own technical expertise is exactly zero, so I'm sure there are all kinds of geeky solutions and work-arounds that would make my computer life easier if I'd only take the time to learn them. Well, what can I say.
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 2. As some other ITM regulars have noticed in the past, Blog*spot pages don't always refresh right away on the AOL browser for some reason. (I've found this with both AOL/Mac and AOL/Windows.) The work-around seems to be to close AOL and open another browser (MSIE or Safari, for example) and then switch back to AOL again.
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 3. You probably grew up being taught to shut things down when you're finished using them; nowadays they say you shouldn't power down your computer too often (just put it on power saver) so you don't wear it out. There's a happy medium though; apparently it's best to shut down at least once a day because this gives the computer the chance to clear out garbage files. (Learned from experience: when I stopped doing that, my Safari browser began running very slowly and finally ground to a standstill - until I re-started, or powered down, the machine.)
Miscellaneous tech notes, part 4. My Toshiba never crashed until I installed a new HP printer. The crash reports from Microsoft identified the printer driver as the problem. After a couple of sessions with the HP help desk, I tracked down the problem - a bunch of applications that run automatically in the tray and don't really serve any useful purpose. The tech told me how to get them off of the startup menu (they're not on the regular menu, you have to run "msconfig" and uncheck a bunch of boxes). That solved the problem; since then, I haven't had a single crash with my Toshiba. So that's why I say it looks like Microsoft has cleaned up its act. I'm still not giving up my Apple gear though.
Back to the non-cybernetic world: after I get my blogs up to where I'd like them to be, I plan to take a short hiatus of a few days (a week at the most) to catch up on reading, outdoors time, social life, and other AFK stuff. After that, hopefully I'll be able to establish a regular schedule for the blogging end of things.
Morning Report: December 16, 2004
Debka: Bush, Sharon compromise on settlements. According to the latest Debka bulletin: 'Bush administration has quietly dropped its demand for removal of dozens of illegal West Bank outposts, asked EU and Abbas for silence on issue. Sharon’s argument has been accepted that his government cannot tackle both outpost removals and pullout from Gaza Strip and northern West Bank at the same time - for lack of manpower resources and popular backing.' (Debka)
New bin Laden audio tape appears. CNN reports that 'A new audiotape purportedly from Osama bin Laden and referencing the December 6 attack on the American consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, appeared on Arabic Web sites Thursday. The voice on the tape says instability in Saudi Arabia is due to the regime there and not the action of the jihadis. "While the struggle in Saudi Arabia appears to be internal, it is part of the struggle between believers and non-believers" of Islam, the speaker said.' The CNN article links the tapes to the recent terror attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: 'A Saudi militant group with ties to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the December 6 attack in Jeddah, posting its claim on several Islamist Web sites often used by militants. Five consular employees -- four local staff members and a contract guard -- were killed. Four other local staff members were wounded. Saudi forces killed three of the gunmen and captured two others, both of whom were wounded, the Saudi Interior Ministry said. One of gunmen later died.' A breaking report from Fox announces: 'The CIA has "high confidence" that the voice on a new audiotape praising anti-U.S. attacks belongs to terror mastermind Usama bin Laden'. The MSNBC report adds: 'Also Thursday on the same Web site, an audiotape surfaced that was purportedly a recording of the sounds of the consulate attack transmitted via the attackers’ mobile phones. Sirens, machine gun fire and shouts of "God is Great!” can be heard. At the end, a man recites Quranic verses and then says: “Humiliation for America the infidel and its allies!”' (various)
Saudi police thwart protest. A scheduled protest by the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia was blocked on Thursday by police in riot gear, according to news reports. The CBC says that 'Calls from an exiled dissident for demonstrations against the Saudi royal family were met with an overwhelming police presence Thursday, with protesters being chased through the streets of the port city of Jidda and others arrested in the Saudi capital. There were reports of scores of arrests in Jidda and Riyadh but officials refused to confirm or deny those reports, saying a statement would be released soon. London-based dissident Saad al-Fagih, head of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, had called via his TV and radio stations and on his website for simultaneous anti-monarchy protests in Riyadh and the eastern seaport of Jidda. Al-Fagih could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday. ' (CBC, Arab.de)
New bin Laden audio tape appears. CNN reports that 'A new audiotape purportedly from Osama bin Laden and referencing the December 6 attack on the American consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, appeared on Arabic Web sites Thursday. The voice on the tape says instability in Saudi Arabia is due to the regime there and not the action of the jihadis. "While the struggle in Saudi Arabia appears to be internal, it is part of the struggle between believers and non-believers" of Islam, the speaker said.' The CNN article links the tapes to the recent terror attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: 'A Saudi militant group with ties to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the December 6 attack in Jeddah, posting its claim on several Islamist Web sites often used by militants. Five consular employees -- four local staff members and a contract guard -- were killed. Four other local staff members were wounded. Saudi forces killed three of the gunmen and captured two others, both of whom were wounded, the Saudi Interior Ministry said. One of gunmen later died.' A breaking report from Fox announces: 'The CIA has "high confidence" that the voice on a new audiotape praising anti-U.S. attacks belongs to terror mastermind Usama bin Laden'. The MSNBC report adds: 'Also Thursday on the same Web site, an audiotape surfaced that was purportedly a recording of the sounds of the consulate attack transmitted via the attackers’ mobile phones. Sirens, machine gun fire and shouts of "God is Great!” can be heard. At the end, a man recites Quranic verses and then says: “Humiliation for America the infidel and its allies!”' (various)
Saudi police thwart protest. A scheduled protest by the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia was blocked on Thursday by police in riot gear, according to news reports. The CBC says that 'Calls from an exiled dissident for demonstrations against the Saudi royal family were met with an overwhelming police presence Thursday, with protesters being chased through the streets of the port city of Jidda and others arrested in the Saudi capital. There were reports of scores of arrests in Jidda and Riyadh but officials refused to confirm or deny those reports, saying a statement would be released soon. London-based dissident Saad al-Fagih, head of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, had called via his TV and radio stations and on his website for simultaneous anti-monarchy protests in Riyadh and the eastern seaport of Jidda. Al-Fagih could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday. ' (CBC, Arab.de)
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