Portland Quits Anti-Terrorism Task Force

Little Green Footballs has discovered the Portland/JTTF story but he’s wrong about the local paper’s position on it. Portland’s full of crazies, Charles, but the Oregonian was right on this issue. Just to be clear, Portland didn’t withdraw from the JTTF because of any sensitivity to civil liberties or fear of the PATRIOT Act, Tom … Continue reading “Portland Quits Anti-Terrorism Task Force”

Little Green Footballs has discovered the Portland/JTTF story but he’s wrong about the local paper’s position on it. Portland’s full of crazies, Charles, but the Oregonian was right on this issue.

Just to be clear, Portland didn’t withdraw from the JTTF because of any sensitivity to civil liberties or fear of the PATRIOT Act, Tom DeLay, or Jesus. The mayor, Tom Potter, is a former police chief and over-the-top micromanager. The two cops assigned to the JTTF have Top Secret clearance, and Potter doesn’t, so there are certain things they know that he doesn’t. This drives him batty because it makes it impossible for him to micro-manage them. Potter insisted on Top Secret clearance for himself and the FBI said “no”.

So it was simply a matter of petty personal politics, nothing more.

The last sane man in Portland

Portland city commissioner Dan Saltzman hasn’t lost his mind. He’s going to vote against Mayor Tom Potter’s welcome mat for terrorists at tonight’s city council meeting: One can be concerned about the far reach of the USA Patriot Act and still support the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I authored last year’s City Council resolution expressing … Continue reading “The last sane man in Portland”

Portland city commissioner Dan Saltzman hasn’t lost his mind. He’s going to vote against Mayor Tom Potter’s welcome mat for terrorists at tonight’s city council meeting:

One can be concerned about the far reach of the USA Patriot Act and still support the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I authored last year’s City Council resolution expressing concern about the Patriot Act and calling on Congress to fix its most disturbing provisions. We must continue to work to ensure that the Patriot Act and the rest of our homeland security laws adequately safeguard the civil liberties that are at the core of our American values. But that effort should not sidetrack critical cooperation among our law enforcement agencies.

A recent trip I took to New York City included paying respect to the innocent victims of 9/11. It was an awkward silence at the 16-acre hole that was the World Trade Center. Among New Yorkers there is a silent, palpable sense of apprehension, a post-traumatic stress for many who were there. It’s difficult to imagine looking a New Yorker in the eye and explaining our rationale for withdrawing from the terror task force. It would feel disrespectful to even attempt to do so. They, more than anyone, understand that barriers to cooperation among law enforcement agencies anywhere place all of us at risk.

President Kennedy spoke in West Berlin during the Cold War and proudly boasted, “Ich bin ein Berliner.” Meaning all free people, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. Wherever we may live, in our resolve to prevent terrorism, all Americans are citizens of New York. As such, we owe ourselves nothing less than to confront terrorism seriously and in collaboration with our partners.

That is what the Joint Terrorism Task Force is all about.

Unfortunately, Saltzman will be the only “no” vote on the mayor’s ill-considered move.

Potter’s opposition to the JTTF has little to do with the Patriot Act, and lots to do with his need to micro-manage every aspect of the police department. The man needs medical attention.

Outside Portland, Oregonians are worried about what Potter’s terrorist magnet will do to them:

But what a symbol this will be: If the vote goes as expected, Portland would become the first U.S. city to pull out of one of the FBI’s 100 or so task forces. The discussions have already drawn national attention, including a story in The New York Times and a recent editorial — opposing the city’s decision — in the Wall Street Journal.

“It sends a terrible message to federal officials, but also to the rest of the state,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican who represents Eastern Oregon. “And what message does it send to groups who might want to do us harm? Does it put out a welcome mat?”

“Welcome mat” Potter has a nice ring to it.

The incompetence of Tom Potter

What kind of a mayor would include the ACLU in discussions of terrorism but exclude his chief of police? Why Portland mayor Tom Potter, of course: When Portland Mayor Tom Potter, federal law enforcement leaders and representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union sat down earlier this month to try to find a way to … Continue reading “The incompetence of Tom Potter”

What kind of a mayor would include the ACLU in discussions of terrorism but exclude his chief of police? Why Portland mayor Tom Potter, of course:

When Portland Mayor Tom Potter, federal law enforcement leaders and representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union sat down earlier this month to try to find a way to keep Portland in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, one person was noticeably absent: Police Chief Derrick Foxworth.

He wasn’t invited.

Even for a haven of silliness like Portland this is too much. Some folks need to give this fool a piece of their minds at the council meeting Thursday night.

Two views of Iraq

In the interest of enlightened discourse, we offer two views of the war in Iraq. First, a letter of gratitude from Iraqi president Jalal Talibani to prime minister Tony Blair: Let nobody mislead you, the Iraq that we inherited in April 2003, following the British and American-led liberation, was a tragedy. The Ba’athist criminals had … Continue reading “Two views of Iraq”

In the interest of enlightened discourse, we offer two views of the war in Iraq. First, a letter of gratitude from Iraqi president Jalal Talibani to prime minister Tony Blair:

Let nobody mislead you, the Iraq that we inherited in April 2003, following the British and American-led liberation, was a tragedy.

The Ba’athist criminals had starved the country of an infrastructure and the people of their freedom.

Apart from the Kurdish safe haven, Iraq was a playground for thugs and a prison for the innocent.

Saddam’s war against the Iraqi people was on-going; we have evidence which demonstrates that the regime was executing its challengers until the last days of its rule.

It was that war, lasting almost forty years, which was the true war of Iraq.

We have all heard of the genocide, gassing, ethnic cleansing, mass murder and the environmental vandalism of the territory of Iraq’s historic Marsh Arabs.

We understand that there is no turning the clock back. Instead, we press ahead with democratisation and justice.

And counter-point, an article by Brown University student Liz Sperber supporting the resistance:

Rather, if we support the Iraqis right to self-determination, it must be because we identify a common, equal humanity between us; because we recognize that US occupation of Iraqi land and the US-sanctioned torture, rape, murder, and theft are unjust. That, in addition to the plight of our soldiers, which many of them argue is worsening every day, is why we must demand troops out now. For no other reason. Accordingly, since the Iraqi resistance is the force working to regain Iraqi sovereignty, we support them-unconditionally.

We must bring American troops home simply because it is not their place to stop the insurgents. Granted, even the most inspiring national liberation movements had their crimes and their tragedies. Many liberation struggles, fought under the watchful eyes of the Cold War superpowers, even failed, in the end, to achieve their objectives (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Algeria, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Chile, the list goes on). Yet, suffice it to say here that the limits or failures of a movement do not nullify its purpose, although they may hamper it. Past failures cannot justify the abandonment of our commitment to the right of people everywhere to self-determination.

Just to make things a little easier, we’ll note that Talibani fought and struggled against Saddam for forty years, and Ms. Sperber criticizes the US from within its circle of protection. Why isn’t she putting her life where her mouth is instead of opining from an enclave of progressive thought in Rhode Island?

Portland officially haven for terrorists

It’s official: Portland, Oregon is the best city in America for terrorists: The city of Portland is pulling its police officers from an FBI-led anti-terrorism team, after federal law enforcement leaders said they couldn’t go along with a suggested compromise that would have given the mayor more oversight over the kinds of cases Portland officers … Continue reading “Portland officially haven for terrorists”

It’s official: Portland, Oregon is the best city in America for terrorists:

The city of Portland is pulling its police officers from an FBI-led anti-terrorism team, after federal law enforcement leaders said they couldn’t go along with a suggested compromise that would have given the mayor more oversight over the kinds of cases Portland officers investigate.

This makes Portland the very first American city to withdraw from the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and will allow it to continue nurturing such folks as the Portland Seven, lead by convicted terrorist Maher Hawash.

Such a fine legacy would make this city attractive to, I don’t know, Ward Churchill maybe. Aha, guess where he was this Sunday?

Portland: the city that parodies itself.

Baseball Picks

OK, sports fans, here are my baseball predictions for this year: AL WEST AL CENTRAL AL EAST A’s Tigers Yankees Angels White Sox Orioles Mariners Twins Red Sox Rangers Indians Blue Jays Royals Devil Rays   Wild Card: Angels Pennant: A’s beat Yankees MVP: Eric Chavez Cy Young: Randy Johnson Rookie of the Year: Nick … Continue reading “Baseball Picks”

OK, sports fans, here are my baseball predictions for this year:

AL WEST AL CENTRAL AL EAST
A’s Tigers Yankees
Angels White Sox Orioles
Mariners Twins Red Sox
Rangers Indians Blue Jays
Royals Devil Rays

 
Wild Card: Angels
Pennant: A’s beat Yankees
MVP: Eric Chavez
Cy Young: Randy Johnson
Rookie of the Year: Nick Swisher

NL WEST
NL CENTRAL NL EAST
Dodgers Cardinals Braves
Giants Brewers Mets
Padres Cubs Marlins
Rockies Astros Nationals
D-Backs Pirates Phillies
Reds

 
Wild Card: Mets
Pennant: Braves beat Mets
MVP: Pujols
Cy Young: Schmidt
 
World Series: A’s

Last years picks here.

Matt Welch’s picks here.

Reality TV hits Iraq

A TV reality show featuring captured terrorists is a big hit in Iraq: BAGHDAD — Iraq’s hottest new television program is a reality show. But the players are not there by choice. And they don’t win big bucks, a new spouse or a dream job. Instead, all the characters on “Terrorism in the Hands of … Continue reading “Reality TV hits Iraq”

A TV reality show featuring captured terrorists is a big hit in Iraq:

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s hottest new television program is a reality show. But the players are not there by choice. And they don’t win big bucks, a new spouse or a dream job.

Instead, all the characters on “Terrorism in the Hands of Justice” are captured suspected insurgents. And for more than a month, they have been riveting viewers with tales of how they killed, kidnapped, raped or beheaded other Iraqis, usually for a few hundred dollars per victim.

Seated before an Iraqi flag, the dejected and cowed prisoners answer questions from an off-camera inquisitor who mocks their behavior. Some sport bruised faces and black eyes. Far from appearing to be confident heroes battling U.S. occupation, they come across as gangsters.

“I watch the show every night, and I wait for it patiently, because it is very revealing,” said Abdul Kareem Abdulla, 42, a Baghdad shop owner. “For the first time, we saw those who claim to be jihadists as simple $50 murderers who would do everything in the name of Islam. Our religion is too lofty, noble and humane to have such thugs and killers. I wish they would hang them now, and in the same place where they did their crimes. They should never be given any mercy.”

It’s funny what a little truth can do.

Arabs Lift Their Voices

My favorite member of the liberal elite, Tom Friedman, summarizes the UN’s latest Arab Human Development Report today: Meanwhile, the Arab peoples were told by their own leaders and state-owned intellectuals that democracy had to come later – after the nationalist struggle against colonialism or the liberation of Palestine or the creation of an Islamic … Continue reading “Arabs Lift Their Voices”

My favorite member of the liberal elite, Tom Friedman, summarizes the UN’s latest Arab Human Development Report today:

Meanwhile, the Arab peoples were told by their own leaders and state-owned intellectuals that democracy had to come later – after the nationalist struggle against colonialism or the liberation of Palestine or the creation of an Islamic state.

Well, the combination of 9/11, the Bush policies and the flattening of the world, whereby everyone can increasingly see how everyone else is living, changed all that – as evidenced this week with the publication of the third Arab Human Development Report, written by a courageous group of Arab social scientists under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program. This is one of the finest U.N. products under Kofi Annan.

The first report, in 2002, was about the poor state of Arab human development. The second, in 2003, was about the poor state of Arab education and science. The new one focuses on “the acute deficit of freedom and good governance” in the Arab world. It underscores how much Arab peoples crave, and need, freedom and good government – as much any other people. With the great news that Iraqis are finally forming a new government, it couldn’t appear at a better time.

You can download your own PDF copy for only $10 by clicking here.

Sexson sizzles in Seattle

Pretty impressive opening day for the hapless Mariners: Two at-bats with his new club, two home runs for Richie Sexson. If you’d have made that forecast to Seattle’s slugger a week ago, he wouldn’t have thought it was possible. Sexson homered twice and drove in five runs in his Seattle debut, and 42-year-old Jamie Moyer … Continue reading “Sexson sizzles in Seattle”

Pretty impressive opening day for the hapless Mariners:

Two at-bats with his new club, two home runs for Richie Sexson. If you’d have made that forecast to Seattle’s slugger a week ago, he wouldn’t have thought it was possible.

Sexson homered twice and drove in five runs in his Seattle debut, and 42-year-old Jamie Moyer pitched 5 2/3 strong innings Monday to lead the Mariners to a season-opening 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

“Not exactly the way you envision it,” Sexson said, smiling. “To do something like that is a little far fetched.”

Moyer’s pitching was unbelievable compared to his second half last year. I was ready to pull his feeding tube but he came back like a big-leaguer.

I’ve still got my doubts about Mariner pitching, but there’s no doubt Ichiro, Beltre, and Sexson are a force to be reckoned with and stuff. They should move Ibanez into the number two hole and give that poor rookie a break now that spring training is over, however.