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Iran Watch: Bush: Iran ‘Held Hostage’ by Clerical Elite
President Bush delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress while Vice President Dick Cheney (L) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) look on at the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 31, 2006.
Reuters: Bush: Iran ‘held hostage’ by clerical elite
President Bush said on Tuesday that Iran was “held hostage” by clerical leaders who repress their people, and urged the world not to allow Tehran to gain nuclear weapons.
In his State of the Union address, Bush also accused Iran of sponsoring terrorists in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon and said, “that must come to an end.”
“The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions — and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons,” Bush said.
“America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats,” he said.
A rationale for Iran regime change.
Stay tuned……
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Documents Point to Nuclear Warheads
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy
Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security CouncilIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns Britain and the United States
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Promises access to Lavizan Nuclear Site
Iran Nuclear Watch: Warming to Russian Compromise ProposalIran Watch: Iran Blames U.S. and Britain for Bombings
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Russian Nuclear Option STALL
Iran Nuclear Watch: John Bolton – “President Bush Won’t Tolerate Nuclear Iranâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Refer Iran to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns West Over UN Nuclear Referral
Iran Nuclear Watch: Winds of War – Talk of Military Action
Iran Watch: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Challenges Europe to Take Back Jews in IsraelIran Watch: Winds of War – Iran President Meets Anti-Israel militants in Syria
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Moving Currency As Pre-Emptive Move
Jacques Chirac Watch: Threats May Spur Iran’s Nuclear AmbitionsJacques Chirac Watch: France Will Respond to Terrorism with Nukes
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mohamed ElBaradei Rejects EU Call to Condemn Iran at February IAEA Meeting
Iran Nuclear Watch: IEAE to Hold Emergency Iran Meeting February 2nd
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Scorns EU 3’s Draft Nuclear ResolutionIran Nuclear Watch: France Rejects Iran’s Request for More Talks on Nuclear Program
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia and China Do NOT Support Sanctions Against IranThe Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi
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Cox & Forkum: Publication of Caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad by a Danish Newspaper
Cox & Forkum: Image Problem
From the International Herald Tribune: In Arab countries, rage growing over cartoons .
A long-running controversy over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad by a Danish newspaper boiled over in the past few days as a boycott brought sales of some Danish products to a halt in Arab countries across the Middle East, while Danish interests came under attack.
A diverse group of Muslim activists has stirred a consumer uproar in one of Denmark’s fastest-growing packaged-foods markets in a case pitting freedom of the press against religious sensitivity, and which is playing out in the arenas of diplomacy and global trade. …
The controversy has been simmering since September, when the Danish daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad, including one that shows him wearing a turban in the shape of a bomb with a lit fuse. Islam strictly forbids depictions of the prophet.
Technorati Tags: Jyllands-Posten, ProphetMuhammad, Islam, Cox&Forkum
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Cindy Sheehan Watch: Arrested at the Capitol Prior to State of the Union Address
***Scroll Down for Updates ***
Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed serving as a U.S. serviceman in Iraq, talks with security personnel in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber after arriving for the State of the Union address by U.S. President George W. Bush on Capitol Hill in Washington January 31, 2006. Sheehan was escorted back out of the chamber a short time later and there were unconfirmed reports that she had been arrested.
ASSociated Press: Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol
Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the anti-war movement, was taken into custody by police in the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush’s State of the Union address.
Police escorted Sheehan from the visitors’ gallery above the House chamber after causing a disruption, said a Capitol Police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the incident were sketchy.
Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., had invited Sheehan to the address as her guest.
“I’m proud that Cindy’s my guest tonight,” Woolsey said in an interview before the speech. “She has made a difference in the debate to bring our troops home from Iraq.”
Woolsey offered Sheehan a ticket to the speech _ Gallery 5, seat 7, row A _ earlier Tuesday while Sheehan was attending an “alternative state of the union” press conference by CODEPINK, a group promoting the end of the Iraq war.
She was arrested because she unfirled a banner and began a demonstration before the President’s State of the Union address. Both are against House rules.
Developing……..
Update #1
ASSociated Press: Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol
Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the anti-war movement, was arrested and removed from the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush’s State of the Union address, a police spokeswoman said.
Sheehan, who had been invited to attend the speech by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., was charged with demonstrating in the Capitol building, a misdemeanor, said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. Sheehan was taken in handcuffs to police headquarters a few blocks away and her case was processed as Bush spoke.
Schneider said Sheehan had worn a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan to the speech and covered it up until she took her seat. Police warned her that such displays were not allowed, but she did not respond, the spokeswoman said.
Police handcuffed Sheehan and removed her from the gallery before Bush arrived. Sheehan was to be released on her own recognizance, Schneider said.
Cindy cannot let it go……..
Technorati Tags: CindySheehan, PresidentBush, StateoftheUnion, LynnWoolsey
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Justice Samuel Alito Watch: CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE AND SWORN IN By Chief Justice John Roberts
U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (3rd R) at the White House January 31, 2006. Alito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate 58-42 on Tuesday and was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. Alito replaces retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and becomes the 110th member of the Supreme Court.
ASSociated Press: Alito Is Sworn in As Associate Justice
Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. was sworn in as the nation’s 110th Supreme Court justice on Tuesday after being confirmed by the Senate in one of the most partisan victories in modern history.
Alito was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court building across from the Capitol at about 12:40 p.m. EST, court officials said.
Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner, along with other members of the court and their spouses, attended the ceremony in the justices’ conference room. The 55-year-old New Jersey jurist took both the constitutional and judicial oaths so he can immediately participate in court decisions.
Alito will be ceremonially sworn in a second time at a White House East Room appearance on Wednesday.
“Sam Alito is a brilliant and fair-minded judge who strictly interprets the Constitution and laws and does not legislate from the bench,” President Bush said after the vote. “He is a man of deep character and integrity, and he will make all Americans proud as a justice on our highest court.”
Alito’s swearing-in came only hours after the Senate voted 58-42 to confirm Alito – a former federal appellate judge, U.S. attorney, and conservative lawyer for the Reagan administration from New Jersey – as the replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has been a moderate swing vote on the court.
All but one of the Senate’s majority Republicans voted for his confirmation, while all but four of the Democrats voted against Alito. Republican Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island voted no and Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia voted yes.
That is the smallest number of senators in the president’s opposing party to support a Supreme Court justice in modern history. Chief Justice John Roberts got 22 Democratic votes last year, and Justice Clarence Thomas – who was confirmed in 1991 on a 52-48 vote – got 11 Democratic votes.
Congratulations to Justice Alito and his family!
Technorati Tags: SamuelAlito, SupremeCourt
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New Media Watch: MSM Discovers Blogosphere
Tom Del Beccaro, a Lafayette attorney and chairman of the Contra Costa Republican Party, publishes PoliticalVanguard.com.
San Francisco Chronicle: NEW MEDIA Political Web sites for conservatives
Carla Marinucci and the San Francisco Chronicle are only a few YEARS late and few hundred blogs short.
Ted Costa explaining Proposition 77 at the Bear Flag League Conference, July 2005. Steve Frank and Boi From Troy in the background.
The California conservative blogosphere is more than Jon Fleishman, Steve Frank or Tom Del Beccaro.
The Bear Flag League comes to mind……….
Technorati Tags: California, BearFlagLeague, Blogosphere, SteveFrank, JonFleishman, TomDelBeccaro
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Documents Point to Nuclear Warheads
General view shows Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan, about 267 miles south of Iran’s capital Tehran, January 22, 2006.
ASSociated Press: Diplomats: IAEA Get Iran Nuclear Documents
Iran has given the International Atomic Energy Agency sensitive documents on nuclear warheads, diplomats said Tuesday.
The diplomats told The Associated Press that 1 1/2 pages describing how to cast fissile uranium into the spherical shape of warheads were given to IAEA inspectors last week.
At the same time, the U.N. agency passed to Iran intelligence provided by the United States that suggests Iran has been working on nuclear weapons and asked for a response, said the diplomats, who demanded anonymity in exchange for revealing the confidential information.
An Iranian technician inside the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan.
This is NO surprise. Of course, Iran is developing nuclear weapon capability.
However, does this mean Western intelligence has underestimated Iranian nuclear weapon progress?
Developing……..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy
Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security CouncilIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns Britain and the United States
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Promises access to Lavizan Nuclear Site
Iran Nuclear Watch: Warming to Russian Compromise ProposalIran Watch: Iran Blames U.S. and Britain for Bombings
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Russian Nuclear Option STALL
Iran Nuclear Watch: John Bolton – “President Bush Won’t Tolerate Nuclear Iranâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Refer Iran to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns West Over UN Nuclear Referral
Iran Nuclear Watch: Winds of War – Talk of Military Action
Iran Watch: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Challenges Europe to Take Back Jews in IsraelIran Watch: Winds of War – Iran President Meets Anti-Israel militants in Syria
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Moving Currency As Pre-Emptive Move
Jacques Chirac Watch: Threats May Spur Iran’s Nuclear AmbitionsJacques Chirac Watch: France Will Respond to Terrorism with Nukes
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mohamed ElBaradei Rejects EU Call to Condemn Iran at February IAEA Meeting
Iran Nuclear Watch: IEAE to Hold Emergency Iran Meeting February 2nd
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Scorns EU 3’s Draft Nuclear ResolutionIran Nuclear Watch: France Rejects Iran’s Request for More Talks on Nuclear Program
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia and China Do NOT Support Sanctions Against IranThe Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy
Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, prays, at the grave of the late revolutionary founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, shown in the picture, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006. At a London meeting that lasted into the early hours of Tuesday, envoys of Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States decided they would recommend that the International Atomic Energy Agency, when it meets Thursday, should report Iran to the U.N. Security Council. They also decided the Security Council should wait until March to take up Iran’s nuclear file after a formal report on Tehran’s activities from the atomic agency.
ASSociated Press: Iran Strikes Back at Big Five Decision
Iran struck back Tuesday at the Big Five’s decision to refer the country’s nuclear file to the Security Council, saying the move has no legal justification and would be the end of diplomacy.
At a London meeting that lasted into the early hours of Tuesday, envoys of the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia agreed to recommend that the International Atomic Energy Agency report Iran to the U.N. Security Council.
They also decided the Security Council should wait until March to take up Iran’s nuclear file after a formal report on Tehran’s activities from the U.N. agency, which meets Thursday in Vienna.
“Reporting Iran’s dossier to the U.N. Security Council will be unconstructive and the end of diplomacy,” said Iran’s leading nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani. State television quoted him as saying Iran still believes the issue can be resolved peacefully.
More BLOVIATING from Tehran.
There WILL be NO diplomacy or negotiation over Iranian possession of fissionable nuclear material used in the manufacture of a nuclear weapon .
Vice President Gholamreza Aghazadeh, who also runs Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, said it was difficult to predict how the IAEA meeting on Thursday would develop, the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency reported.
“The biggest problem for the West is that they can’t find any (legal) justification to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council,” ISNA quoted him as saying.
The United States has agreed for a small delay before the ultimate referral to the United Nations Security Council. However, it is unclear whether Russia or China would support sanctions against Iran.
War planning continues……..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security CouncilIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns Britain and the United States
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Promises access to Lavizan Nuclear Site
Iran Nuclear Watch: Warming to Russian Compromise ProposalIran Watch: Iran Blames U.S. and Britain for Bombings
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Russian Nuclear Option STALL
Iran Nuclear Watch: John Bolton – “President Bush Won’t Tolerate Nuclear Iranâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Refer Iran to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns West Over UN Nuclear Referral
Iran Nuclear Watch: Winds of War – Talk of Military Action
Iran Watch: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Challenges Europe to Take Back Jews in IsraelIran Watch: Winds of War – Iran President Meets Anti-Israel militants in Syria
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Moving Currency As Pre-Emptive Move
Jacques Chirac Watch: Threats May Spur Iran’s Nuclear AmbitionsJacques Chirac Watch: France Will Respond to Terrorism with Nukes
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mohamed ElBaradei Rejects EU Call to Condemn Iran at February IAEA Meeting
Iran Nuclear Watch: IEAE to Hold Emergency Iran Meeting February 2nd
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Scorns EU 3’s Draft Nuclear ResolutionIran Nuclear Watch: France Rejects Iran’s Request for More Talks on Nuclear Program
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia and China Do NOT Support Sanctions Against IranThe Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi
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Day by Day by Chris Muir