GRE Round Up for June 30

Here's the latest from my Gun Rights Examiner colleagues:

Ed Stone/Atlanta:

Filibuster Kagan!

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan should be filibustered. We have learned a lot more about Elena Kagan and her...
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Anthony Bouchard/Cheyenne:

The Disclose Act, why the NRA has it wrong

The Disclose Act goes against the one thing Wyomingites cherish even more than guns, PRIVACY. Aside from that, letting the political elite decide how...

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Mike Stollenwerk/DC:

Free market acceptance of customer gun carry grows

Last March experts were lauding Starbucks for its best business practice of accepting legal customer gun carry. Subsequently the Brady Campaign...

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Sean McClanahan/Des Moines:

Local preemption keeps gun rights secure

As Iowa transitions to a “Shall Issue” system of issuing the Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons, one area of concern is local preemption. In...

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Elena Kagan testifies as pro-gun advocates gear up to press for her rejection

Elena Kagan, President Obama's most recent appointee to the United States Supreme Court, is currently testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee...

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Dave Workman/Seattle:
Post-McDonald: Anti-gunners clearly will push the limit

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 · 2 comments

It hasn’t taken long for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to make clear his intentions to push the limit on how...
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Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

McDonald decision 'racist'?

To BuzzFlash editor Mark Karlin, the reason for the Supreme Court's McDonald decision is simple--racism: If you think the 5-4 partisan hack...

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Supreme Court's McDonald v. Chicago decision leaves much to be worked out

It is now a settled point of Constitutional law that the right to own firearms is one that must be honored by not only the federal government, but by...

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Chris Woodard/Tucson:

Open letter to: Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor.

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Dear Justice Sotomayor, May I humbly pose a question? Can a Supreme Court Justice be impeached? The...
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What does the McDonald decision mean to you or your state?

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 · 2 comments

The NRA is just one among several gun rights groups that are hailing McDonald as a landmark decision. Lets just...
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I do hope you realize the importance of sharing these links and show these guys your support by doing so...?

While you're at it, be sure and check out these other Liberty-oriented Examiners:

• Kent McManigal/Albuquerque Libertarian
• Kevin Wilmeth/Anchorage Libertarian
• Anthony Martin/Conservative

We're the Only Ones Going to the Dogs Enough

Kevin Michael Sianez, 53, of Fountain Valley was charged last week in a 63-count criminal complaint that includes three misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to commit a sexual assault of an animal by posting ads on Craigslist to have women engage in bestiality with his dog. [More]

Alrighty then...

But I guess in fairness he's not an "Only One":

Sianez is charged with...five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon due to a 1998 conviction for stalking...and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.

Just one of those "few bad apples" we occasionally hear about once in a blue moon...

[Via DJK]

Security Questions Raised

There are questions about security at the centerpiece of Indianapolis' convention business after an armed robbery in a restroom. [More]

I've got a question.

Couldn't the perp read?
[Via HZ]

Down in the West Texas Town of El Paso...

It does appear that the rounds may have come from an incident that occurred in Juarez. [More]

If only we would listen to Felipe...

[Via Harvey]

We're the Only Ones Blacked Out Enough

Why do they do this?

Because they can.

When won't they do this?

When they can't.

That's when you'll see the arrogance disappear. But not until then.

An Originalist Perspective

What Thomas has created, however, is a legal defense of the Second Amendment so thoroughly original...[More]

No it's not, Courtland Milloy. How could you not already know this stuff?

This information has been argued for many years, from Clayton Cramer's ground-breaking work to attempts by many, myself included, to get some of you ivory tower ignoramuses to take your knee-jerk prejudiced-against-guns blinders off and look at the damn facts--and it's always met with either silence or self-blinded denial.

I don't suppose you've heard of "No Guns for Negroes," either? Or of "Black Man with a Gun"?

Sheesh, Courtland, where ya been?

How you can call yourself a journalist, especially with the resources at your disposal and being paid good money to investigate and know what you write about is beyond me. Such demonstrable ignorance presuming to inform a substantial readership seems like malpractice at best.

Except I've come to expect nothing more from you "Only Ones"-promoting "Authorized Journalists."

Stark Raving

What a punk. [Read]

NRA's Cox calls RedState report 'a lie'

I see no good reason for NRA not making its objections known before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The "political capital" apologia does not wash--if there was ever a time to take a firm stand, it is now. If only certain authorized individuals can speak on behalf of the Association, why isn't Cox appearing? NRA presents itself as the leader, but the battle has begun and they're absent from the field, telling us their role is to be observers, not combatants. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at a denial of words against a denial of actions.

Share the link?

This Day in History: June 30

The Battle of Alligator Bridge took place on June 30, 1778, and was the major engagement in Colonel Elijah Clarke's third and final unsuccessful campaign to conquer East Florida. In a disastrous battle, Clarke's 300 Georgia militiamen went up against a far larger force composed of British regulars, Tories, and Indians. His defeat left the area firmly under British control. [More]

Editor's Note

I will be traveling abroad for the next 11 days. While this never stopped me in the past from blogging, I will unfortunately be in an area where internet access is impossible. Yes .... I am going to the ends of the earth.

If I have the chance to blog, I will. I have been writing and blogging regularly for years, but this is the first time that I will be away from the news that I crave, and the audience that I like to write for. In the meantime I have already posted a few stories that I will be running next week, starting on July 4, and .... I hope .... that they will create a discussion amongst yourselves.

I will be back on July 11, whereby once I have recovered from the jet lag and the time difference, regular blogging will resume.

Your WNU Editor who will miss you,
Victor

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 30, 2010

Video: Pentagon’s Shape-Shifting Bot Folds Into Boat, Plane -- The Danger Room

Even for the Pentagon’s science-fiction division, it seemed like a stretch. But in 2007, Darpa really did launch an effort to build programmable matter that could reconfigure itself on command. Then, two years later, Harvard and MIT researchers really did make progress building “self-folding origami” that just might be able to twist themselves into different shapes. Yesterday, Darpa-backed electrical engineers at the two schools released the stunning results: a shape-shifting sheet of rigid tiles and elastomer joints that can fold itself into a little plane or a boat on demand.

It’s “a first step towards making everyday objects whose mechanical properties can be programmed,” Harvard’s Robert Wood says in a statement.

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

DoD Adviser: Foes' Advances Might Lead to F-35 Fleet Shrinkage -- Defense News

Billions for Biodefense -- Armchair Generalist

THAAD System Intercepts Target in Successful Missile Defense Test -- Defence Talk

CMC Program to Define Future SSBN Launchers for UK, USA -- Defense Industry Daily News

Phantom Eye Plans -- Ares/Aviaiton Week

U.S. medevac crews treat Afghan civilians, win hearts and minds -- L.A. Times

The Frightening Failure To Fix Failed States -- Strategy Page

Former Prez Clinton Endorses Oil-Bomb Plan, Sorta -- War Is Boring

Spies Assigned to Gather Intel on U.S. Nuke Strategy for Russia, FBI Says -- Global Security Newswire

Smoking out Bin Laden from his "Deep Hiding". -- Raman's terrorism Analysis

"We need to think more about strategy..." -- Ares/Aviation Week

B-1 Bomber To Be Retired?

A B-1B Lancer flies a combat patrol over Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon / U.S. Air Force

Bombers Away? The B-1 Could Be Near Its Demise -- Time Magazine

Nixon launched it, Carter killed it and Reagan resurrected it. In its infancy, the Air Force's B-1 bomber was a quick and dirty military metaphor — Republicans wanted to buy weapons to defend the nation from the Soviet Union, and Democrats didn't. Now it could become a different kind of symbol: the Air Force is thinking of retiring its total 66-plane B-1 fleet to hit budget targets set by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Top Air Force officials met behind closed doors late last week to determine if permanently grounding the B-1 fleet makes sense.

Read more ....

More News On B-1

B-1B fleet could be retired early -- Reporter News
B-1B program on the chopping block? Report says maybe -- Reporter News
B-1B Lancer Fleet To the Boneyard? -- Defense Tech

My Comment: Not much coverage on this story from other media sources .... I suspect that this is a trial balloon to calculate opinion .... but if more coverage starts to increase, expect the B-1 to be on the chopping block within the year.

10 Top Generals Who Were Fired By Their Chiefs

10 Generals Who Got In Trouble With Their Chief -- Listverse

American General Stanley McChrystal was recently relieved of command by President Obama, for disparaging comments he made about the administration. He was the latest U.S. general to be sacked for crossing the Commander In Chief. Here, in alphabetical order, is a list of other generals from history who got into trouble of varying severity with their superiors.

Read more ....

My Comment: An impressive list .... but I know that this list could run in the hundreds .... correction .... tens of thousands.

The Best Plots At Arlington Cemetery Are Reserved For VIPs

Salon Exclusive: Choice Plots At Arlington Reserved For VIPs -- Salon

How top officials at Arlington National Cemetery violated Army guidelines -- and may have broken the law.

Officials at Arlington National Cemetery have been quietly reserving particularly desirable parts of the burial grounds for VIPs. This violates Army regulations and federal law, which bar special burial arrangements for the powerful and well-connected and require that service members be buried in the next available plot at Arlington, regardless of rank or other factors.

Read more ....

My Comment: Salon's investigative work (for the past year) on the mismanagement of Arlington Cemetery is deserving of a Pulitzer Prize .... with the above article a continuation of this solid reporting.

American Telescopes Are Told By The Military On Where They Can Point

Photo from The University of Hawaii

Asteroid Hunters Part-Blinded By The Military -- New Scientist

THE first of the asteroid-hunting Pan-STARRS telescopes is now on the lookout for threatening near-Earth objects, but its vision is impaired due to the US military.

From its perch atop the Haleakala volcano in Maui, Hawaii, PS1's mammoth, 1400-megapixel camera should uncover 100,000 new asteroids and identify any that are on a collision course with Earth. However, the US air force, which funded the development of the telescope, requires that software automatically black out a swathe of pixels to hide the trajectories of passing satellites.

Read more ....

My Comment: I have been an amateur astronomer for 35 years, but this is news to me.

Will Afghanistan Rules Of Engagement Change .... Or Remain The Same?

David Petraeus testifies during his confirmation hearing to become commander of US forces in Afghanistan. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

No Real Change Coming To Afghan ROE Or Tactical Directive: Petraeus -- Defense Tech

Incoming Afghan commander Gen. David Petraeus told senators today at his confirmation hearing that he has no intention of changing the rules of engagement or the “tactical directive,” which guides the use of air strikes, put in place by his predecessor.

What he will do is ensure that those rules are being uniformly applied by commanders in the field and that overly cautious officers at various levels are not imposing their own maximalist interpretation of the ROE and directive, and thus slowing the responsiveness of fire support when troops’ lives are on the line. “We have to be absolutely certain that the implementation of ROE and tactical directive is consistent across the force.”

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan's Rules Of Engagement

Petraeus Pledges Look at Firepower in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Petraeus says he will review Afghanistan rules of engagement -- Washington Times
Petraeus: Strategy won't change, but rules of engagement might -- Stars And Stripes
Afghanistan war: General Petraeus rethinking rules of engagement -- Christian Science Monitor
Petraeus would study uses of U.S. force if confirmed -- USA Today
Petraeus: I’ll Change Afghanistan’s Rules of War -- The Danger Room
The Side Effects of the Afghanistan Rules of Engagement -- Captain's Journal

My Comment: When it comes to rules of engagement in Afghanistan, the Captain's Journal has been one of the best in analyzing and dissecting the consequences (and ramifications) of such rules.

As to the question .... will the rules of engagement change if Petraeus is in charge? Everyone is saying yes with the exception of Defense Tech. As to who is right .... that is an easy question .... it is Defense Tech.

Defense Tech quotes Petraeus accurately .... that he has no intention of changing the rules of engagement or the “tactical directive,” which guides the use of air strikes, put in place by his predecessor.

Instead .... the rules will be applied uniformly, and commanders will not be permitted to implement their own maximalist interpretation of the ROE and directive

Sighhhh .... if this is the case .... nothing substantially is going to change.

Cold War Spy Pact Details Released

Harry Hinsley, Sir Edward Travis and Brig Tiltman, who helped negotiate the intelligence sharing agreement between Britain and the US, in Washington in November 1945 Photo: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

How A Secret Spy Pact Helped Win The Cold War -- Time Magazine

For drama, it couldn't quite compete with Monday's arrest by the U.S. Department of Justice of 10 people charged with spying — with eight of them allegedly carrying out "long-term, deep-cover assignments for the Russian government." But for armchair spy catchers and amateur historians, last Friday's revelations were of even greater historical significance. Britain's National Archives and the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) made public one of the most important documents in the history of the Cold War: the seven-page UKUSA Agreement, a secret pact that, since 1946, has allowed the two countries to share intelligence with each other. The agreement, released alongside examples of the kind of information that was passed back and forth, fills in significant gaps in the history of the Cold War and reveals one of the foundations of the special relationship that the U.K. and U.S. still hold dear.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. - U.K. Spying Pact

Original 'Echelon' secret UK-US spookery treaty published -- The Register
Document that formalised 'special relationship' with the US -- The Telegraph
Not so secret: deal at the heart of UK-US intelligence -- The Guardian
Details of British-US Cold War intelligence-sharing pact made public -- FOX News
Details of Cold War intelligence pact published -- AP
Cold War spy pact details revealed -- Press Association

Thousands Flee Renewed Fighting In Darfur

SUDAN: Thousands Displaced By Darfur Clashes -- IRIN

NAIROBI, 29 June 2010 (IRIN) - Ongoing clashes between various armed groups in western Sudan have intensified since May, displacing 725 households from Jebel Mara to Hassa Hissa camp in Zalingei, West Darfur, aid workers said.

An inter-agency verification exercise, conducted on 27 June, followed an appeal by the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to the parties in the conflict to cease hostilities. On 24 June, UNAMID reported casualties in clashes between the Rizeigat and Misseriya communities in Bugulay and Tereij villages, 28km southeast of Zalingei.

Read more ....

More News On Darfur

Thousands flee in renewed fighting in Darfur -- All Voices
Sudan to close border with Libya due to Darfur rebels -- BBC
Sudan closing border crossings with Libya, citing danger to travellers from rebels -- Canadian Press
Two rival Darfur tribes sign reconciliation agreement -- Relief Web
Arab tribes sign peace deal in Sudan's Darfur -- Reuters
Darfur: UN-African mission welcomes peace deal between warring tribes -- UN News Centre
Darfur Peace Talks ‘Not Serious,’ Says Rebel JEM spokesman -- Voice of America
JEM rebel group says no Darfur peace without it -- AFP
Darfur rebels threaten to attack Khartoum -- Gulf News
Doha forum is hardly conducive to resolve the crisis in Darfur -- Sudan Tribune
Darfur Rebel Leaders Face Judges at The Hague -- Voice of America
Aid Agencies Curtail Operations in Darfur -- Voice of America

Rwanda's Ethnic Fears And Conflicts Are Returning

Violence Rises In Rwanda As Election Nears -- Salon

Human rights groups say Paul Kagame's government is trying to exclude opposition parties from the political process.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton presented Rwanda's leader with a global citizen award last fall and lauded him for freeing the minds of his people. Now as an election approaches, critics fear Paul Kagame's government is instead smashing dissent.

A former dissident general has been shot, an opposition Rwandan journalist killed and an American lawyer jailed in the run-up to the August presidential vote. A top opposition political party says some of its members have been beaten by police while in detention and that one is missing.

Read more ....

More News On Rwanda's Growing Violence

Rwanda's Hutus live in fear of attacks, repression -- AP
Rwandan General shot by 'asylum seekers' -- IOL
Rwandan opposition faces crackdown ahead of vote -- AP
Rwanda: 2 Men Held in Killing of Journalist -- New York Times
Rwanda takes a strict line on genocide denial. The US should support that. -- Richard Johnson, Christian Science Monitor

General Petraeus Confirmed By U.S. Senate To Run The Afghan War

Gen. David H. Petraeus before his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Senate Committee Votes To Confirm Petraeus -- Washington Post

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Tuesday to confirm Gen. David H. Petraeus as the next commander of U.S. and foreign forces in Afghanistan after the general told senators he would insist on "an unshakeable commitment to teamwork among all elements of the U.S. government."

The Obama administration is seeking Petraeus's quick confirmation to replace Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who resigned last week after he and his senior aides made comments to Rolling Stone magazine criticizing Vice President Biden and other senior officials.

The committee vote clears the way for a vote by the full Senate.

Read more ....

More News On Petraeus' Confirmation Hearings

Petraeus Pledges Look at Firepower in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Petraeus says he will review Afghanistan rules of engagement -- Washington Times
Petraeus: Strategy won't change, but rules of engagement might -- Stars And Stripes
Afghanistan war: General Petraeus rethinking rules of engagement -- Christian Science Monitor
Senate panel backs Petraeus; swift confirmation expected -- USA Today
Senate Panel OKs Petraeus To Run Afghan War -- NPR
New U.S. Commander Backs Afghan Withdrawal Plan -- Wall Street Journal
Petraeus vows long-term commitment in Afghan war -- AP
Petraeus: Progress in Afghanistan, but Tough Times Ahead -- Voice of America
U.S. general says fighting in Afghanistan could intensify -- Xinhuanet
Petraeus' political skills on display before Senate panel -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Petraeus: exit strategy is not a rushed withdrawal -- Independent
Petraeus: Afghan withdrawals a 'process,' not an exit -- L.A. Times
Praise All Around for Petraeus' Unsung Hero -- FOX News
Petraeus Calls Afghanistan a Test of Wills -- U.S. Department of Defense
Biden to dine with Petraeus -- Politico

General McChrystal To Keep His Fourth Star

Image: General Stanley McChrystal. Photo AFP

Obama To Guarantee McChrystal A 4-Star Pension -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will guarantee former Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal a four-star pension despite firing him last week over comments disparaging civilian leaders.

McChrystal was sacked about a year after receiving his fourth star -- half the time normally necessary to qualify for a four-star general's retirement income of $12,475 per month, before taxes, according to Pentagon estimates based on his 34 years of service.

Read more ....

More News On General McChrystal Keeping His Fourth Star

Obama says McChrystal can keep fourth star -- AFP
Gen. Stanley McChrystal Will Retire With Four Stars, White House Says -- NPR
White House to let McChrystal retire with 4 stars -- CNN
White House: McChrystal to retire with 4 stars -- AP
Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank -- Washington Post
Obama will allow McChrystal to retire with benefits of four-star general -- USA Today

Cyber Terrorism Is Real

Cyber Terrorism Is Now Seen as a Real Threat -- Wall Street Journal

Quaint details such as letters written in invisible ink, rendezvous in parks and buried stashes of cash have made the alleged Russian spies now under arrest in the U.S. sound very old fashioned. Moscow chose to add to that impression, with the Foreign Ministry criticizing the U.S. action as being "in the spirit of Cold War-era spy stories."

Read more ....

My Comment: If cyber security/espionage/hacking/etc. is your thing, this article is a must read for you.

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- June 29, 2010

ZABUL PATROL - U.S. Army soldiers walk along the bank of a stream looking for weapons caches while on patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan, June 25, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. William Tremblay

The 30-Year War in Afghanistan -- George Friedman, Stratfor/Real Clear World

The Afghan War is the longest war in U.S. history. It began in 1980 and continues to rage. It began under Democrats but has been fought under both Republican and Democratic administrations, making it truly a bipartisan war. The conflict is an odd obsession of U.S. foreign policy, one that never goes away and never seems to end. As the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal reminds us, the Afghan War is now in its fourth phase.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Obama's muddled Afghan obsession -- Washington Times

Where Theories of Warfare Go to Die -- Robert Dreyfuss, Mother Jones

President Obama's detrimental deadlines -- Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post

'Russian spies' bungle was epic -- David Hearst, Guardian

Is Obama Failing Congo? -- Dana Goldstein, The Daily Beast

Obama's 5 foreign-policy victories -- Robert Kagan, Washington Post

Unfinished Business: For 65 years, Japanese corporations have escaped responsibility for abusing American POWs during World War II. -- Christian Caryl, Foreign Policy

Who's Weathering the Global Recession? -- Real Clear World

GRE Round Up for June 29

Been super busy and have not had time to do one of these for a few days. Here's the latest from my Gun Rights Examiner colleagues:

Howard Nemerov/Austin:

Statement of Glenn Hegar on Supreme Court's McDonald ruling

Austin, Texas--Today is a great day in American history! The United States Supreme Court affirmed today what a vast...
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From citizen to ‘smart ass’
Vice President Joe Biden is in Wisconsin to help raise money for Senator Feingold’s reelection bid. Real Politics posted a video of Biden in a...

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Paul Valone/Charlotte:

Gun rights legal battle shifts to North Carolina

Grass Roots North Carolina joins suit challenging constitutionality of gun restrictions in North Carolina “state of emergency” law....
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McDonald v. Chicago: Supreme Court 'incorporates' Second Amendment

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) today returned its Second Amendment decision in McDonald v. Chicago...
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Dan Bidstrup/Denver:

California town can actually mandate Crime Free Zones

As innovative as I thought I was with the invention of the Crime Free Zone, I was not the first. Incredible as it may seem, I have found a municipal...

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Sean McClanahan/Des Moines:

US Supreme Court finds for McDonald and upholds the Second Amendment

As most are probably aware by now, the U.S. Supreme Court today released the long-awaited decision in the McDonald vs. Chicago case. As expected, the...

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Waiting for the McDonald vs. Chicago decision to arrive

It is reported that the decision that gun rights activists have been waiting for all year will be released on Monday. At that time, the United States...

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John Longenecker/Los Angeles:

Safer Streets 2010: Safer streets finally underway again.

Once in a while, a Los Angeles Times Editorial surprises me on liberty and second amendment issues. Today's editorial finds the Times agreeing with...

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Safer Streets 2010: The Supremes Affirm The Second Amendment.

In a 5 to 4 decision handed down this morning, the United States Supreme Court repealed the gun ban in McDonald v....
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Safer Streets 2010: Leftists do not dispute second amendment facts.

Fox News' John Stossel has been a friend of the second amendment from the beginning. John is a great example of...
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John Pierce/Minneapolis:

Contempt of court George Wallace style

"To what purpose are powers limited, and to what purpose is that limitation committed to writing, if these limits may, at any time, be passed by...

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‘Substantive’ victory for gun owners

“I would follow what I believe was the original purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment-to extend to all the people of the nation the complete...

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Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kagan should be held to the Palin standard

As questioning continues today on the nomination of Elena Kagan to replace retired Justice John Paul Stevens on the...
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Anti-gun hysteria follows landmark ruling in Chicago gun ban case

One group says Monday’s Supreme Court ruling in McDonald v. Chicago will result in more homicides and another...
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Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Dissenting justices in McDonald decision illustrate extremism of anti-gun mindset

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's McDonald v. Chicago decision, the Wall Street Journal made an interesting observation: The majority...
Keep Reading »

Supreme Court's McDonald v. Chicago decision leaves much to be worked out

It is now a settled point of Constitutional law that the right to own firearms is one that must be honored by not only the federal government, but by...

Keep Reading »

Chris Woodard/Tucson:

McDonald v Chicago. A different point of view

Within the gun community there is great jubilation because of the decision on McDonald. My colleagues David...
Keep Reading »

I do hope you realize the importance of sharing these links and show these guys your support by doing so...?

While you're at it, be sure and check out these other Liberty-oriented Examiners:

• Kent McManigal/Albuquerque Libertarian
• Kevin Wilmeth/Anchorage Libertarian
• Anthony Martin/Conservative

World News Briefs -- June 29, 2010 (Evening Edition)

A defendant known as 'Anna Chapman' allegedly communicated with a Russian official in Manhattan in January Photo: Facebook

FBI Arrests 11 Accused Of Working As Russian Spies -- Washington Post

The White House said Tuesday that it does not expect the arrests of 11 accused members of a Russian espionage ring to affect relations between Washington and Moscow, shrugging off Russian denunciations of the busts as a throwback to the Cold War.

The FBI moved to arrest 10 suspects in the United States on Sunday in part because one of them was scheduled to leave the country, a Justice Department spokesman said. He did not specify which of the defendants was planning to leave.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli FM: No Palestinian state by 2012.

Obama, Saudi King discuss 2-state Mideast solution. King Abdullah wants to wipe Israel and Iran off the map.

Total stops petrol sales to Iran. Iran sees no risk to gasoline imports, official says.

Palestinian boycott of Israeli settlement goods starts to bite.

As war fears mount, Lebanese hunt spies.

Petraeus gives evidence to UK's Iraq war inquiry.

In Israel, Gilad Shalit's family launches 12-day march to Netanyahu's door.

ASIA

Kashmir security forces fire on protesters, killing 3. Curfew widened in Kashmir after civilian deaths.

27 Indian troops die in Maoist rebel ambush.

Reports: Kim's youngest son is NKorea legislator.

With shift in Afghanistan, talk turns to exit.

Taiwan and China set to sign historic trade accord.

U.S. says sinking of S. Korean ship not act of terrorism.

Kyrgyz vote wins 90 percent support, Russia wary.

AFRICA

Rwanda's Hutus live in fear of attacks, repression.

Sudan to close border with Libya due to Darfur rebels.

Guinea poll peaceful; voter turnout high.

The battle over Kenya's new constitution.

East Africa to begin economic integration Thursday.

EUROPE

Clashes in Greece as thousands protest in general strike.

The Pope vs. Belgium: A bad fight for the Vatican?

Le Monde accepts offer from trio, snubbing Sarkozy.

Noriega money-laundering trial begins in France.

Clashes at Athens protest against pension reform.

AMERICAS

Lawmaker sees panel voting to end Cuba travel ban.

Cuba's Castro meets with Syrian President Assad.

U.S. charges 11 as Russian agents.

Assassins hit leading candidate in key Mexican border state.

A year later, coup talk again rattles Honduras.

'Dudus' in drag: How accused Jamaican drug lord evaded arrest.

US issues Haiti travel alert after Americans slain.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Saudi-US alliance - an obstacle against war on terrorism?

U.S. missile strike kills 6 militants In Pakistan.

Guantánamo's `Closer' leaves new admiral, 181 prisoners behind.

European Union, U.S. to share banking data to fight terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fannie-Freddie bailout could cost taxpayers $1 trillion.

Wall St sinks on economic alarm.

Oil prices plummet on concerns about US demand.

Deficit worries trump fears of new recession at G20 summit.

Gargantuan financial reform bill: It's not just for banks.

G20: Paving the way for a new Great Depression?

Fighting Between Indian Security Forces And Maoists Rebels Flares Up Again

27 Indian Troops Die In Maoist Rebel Ambush -- Washington Post

PATNA, India -- Maoist rebels killed at least 27 paramilitary troops in an ambush in eastern India on Tuesday, the latest in a series of bold attacks by the guerrillas, a senior police official said.

A 50-strong patrol of the Central Reserve Police Force was ambushed Tuesday evening on a routine patrol in a densely forested area in the Narayanpur district of Chhatisgarh state, said Sunder Raj, a senior local police official. Ten other troops were wounded, he said.

Read more ....

More News On India's War Against It's Maoist Rebels

Naxals ambush, kill 26 CRPF men in Chhattisgarh -- Hindustan Times
26 Indian police killed in Maoist ambush: police -- AFP
26 troopers killed in suspected India Maoist assault -- CNN
26 paramilitary troops killed in ambush in eastern India -- L.A. Times
26 CRPF personnel killed in Maoists attack in Chhattisgarh -- Sify News

Maoist leader, four activists arrested -- The Hindu
Trooper, Maoist rebel killed in clash in eastern India -- Earth Times
Five Maoist leaders arrested in West Bengal -- Sify
India struggles with development in Maoist citadel -- Reuters
India’s poorest stuck between Maoists militants and big business -- RT
Maoists call 48-hour shutdown in five states -- Hindustan Times
India: Maoists Targeting Economy - South Asia Intelligence Review -- Eurasia Review

U.S. Operations Against Taliban Commanders And Their Leaders Are Having An Impact

ANTENNA SETUP - U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Limon sets up a tactical satellite antenna while on patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan, June 25, 2010. Limon is assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. William Tremblay

Quest To Neutralize Afghan Militants Is Showing Glimpses Of Success, NATO Says -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Despite deepening pessimism back home and disarray in the top American military ranks, officials insist that the buildup of soldiers in Afghanistan is beginning to show results: Commando raids over the last four months have taken scores of insurgent leaders out of action, in a secretive operation aimed partly at pressuring the Taliban to reconcile with the Afghan government.

About 130 important insurgent figures have been captured or killed in Afghanistan over the past 120 days, about the time that commanders turned their attention from the fight around Marja to a much more complex campaign around Kandahar, according to NATO military statistics. The targets have included Taliban shadow provincial governors and military commanders, as well as district-level financiers, trainers and bomb makers.

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My Comment: David Ignatius at the Washington Post has more news on the effectiveness of these "decapitation" strikes. As a follow-up to these operations, U.S. forces have now launched major ground operations against Taliban forces in the Kunar region of Afghanistan. For more news on this operation, go here, here, and here.

Now We Know Why The U.S. Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Was In Israel A Few Days Ago

ASPEN INTERVIEW - David Sanger, right, New York Times chief Washington correspondent, interviews U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colo., June 28, 2010. In its inaugural year, the forum brought together top-level government officials, industry leaders, and others for two days of in-depth discussions on national security. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

'Strike On Iran Would Be Destabilizing' -- Jerusalem Post

US joint chiefs of staff says Washington, Jerusalem in sync.

A military strike against Iran would be "incredibly destabilizing" to the region said the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. He believes Iran will continue to pursue nuclear weapons, even if sanctions against the country are increased.

Speaking Monday at the Aspen Security Forum, Mullen said it would be "incredibly dangerous" for Iran to achieve nuclear weapons, and that there's "no reason to trust" Iran's assurances that it is only pursuing a peaceful nuclear program, especially after the discovery of a secret nuclear facility near the holy city of Qom.

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My Comment: It is all going to come down to this. Will the Middle East be more unstable if Iran has nuclear weapons .... or if Israel decides to strike Iran before it has the means to manufacture significant quantities of nuclear material for a bomb.

Decide.