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Telegraph: Chinese missile destroys satellite in space

The prospect of “Star Wars” between China and the West loomed last night after Beijing used a ballistic missile to destroy a satellite in space.

The missile, which hit a 4ft-wide obsolete Chinese weather satellite 530 miles above the Earth, is thought to have been launched from the Xichang space centre in -China’s Sichuan province.

It suggests that the Chinese have developed a major new capability that underscores the communist regime’s desire to use its military might as well as burgeoning economic power to expand its influence.

“The US believes China’s development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of co-operation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area,” said Gordon Johndroe, spokes-man for the US National Security Council, yesterday. “We and other countries have expressed our concern regarding this action to the Chinese.”

It is understood that Australia and Canada have also protested to China.

Remember last summer when China was firing lasers to interfere with United States satellites.

And what Flap said at the time:

China is an ADVERSARY. Make NO mistake about it.

China has been unwilling or unable to contain North Korea’s nuclear amibtions and ICBM program.

China has been the chief apologist for Iran developing/acquiring nuclear weapons.

China is undertaking a massive military build-up and now directly attacks United States Spy Satellites.

What can it ALL mean?

China is NOT our friend and a Bamboo Cold War which has been underway since the 1940’s is blossoming.

The United States MUST be prepared for the coming confrontation and embark on strategies to combat the “militarization of space” by the Chinese and possibly the Russians.

Possible solutions:

Since the mid-1980s, the United States has had the ability to take down satellites, but the Chinese don’t have satellites worth attacking, Pike said. The United States may have to develop alternatives to its current spy satellites — perhaps stealthy satellites or unmanned aerial vehicles, which are harder to detect than the current well-established U.S. satellite network.

Reconnaissance satellites in low-Earth orbit — “eyes in the sky” — are essential to how the United States fights wars.

“Our space assets are the first asset on the scene,” Pike said. “They are absolutely central to why we are a superpower — a signature component to America’s style of warfare.”

Stay tuned…….

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China Watch: Beijing Secretly Fires Lasers to Disable US Satellites

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Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, laugh with Bolivia’s President Evo Morales holds his hand during the inauguration of Rafael Correa as new president of Ecuador in Quito, Monday, Jan. 15, 2007.

AP: Iran takes tough stand over nuclear row

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed back over the U.S. military buildup in the Gulf, saying Thursday that
Iran is ready for any possibility in the standoff over its nuclear program.

The president made clear he was not backing down in his tough rhetoric toward the United States, despite criticism at home. Conservatives and reformists alike have openly challenged Ahmadinejad’s nuclear diplomacy tactics, many saying his fiery anti-Western remarks are doing more harm than good.

Ahmadinejad said their calls for compromise echo “the words of the enemy.”

At the same time, Ahmadinejad’s top national security official, Ali Larijani, sharply denounced U.S. policy in
Iraq, saying Washington is fueling Shiite-Sunni hatred.

And the United States position:

AP: Gates: Iranians ‘overplaying their hand’

The Iranians are “overplaying their hand” on the world stage in a belief that setbacks in Iraq have weakened the United States, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.

He said that now is not the time to negotiate with Iran because the U.S. lacks leverage but that talks probably would make sense at some point.

The U.S. has been applying growing pressure on Iran, blaming Tehran for providing bombs and other help used against American troops by militants in Iraq.
President Bush has warned the U.S. will “seek out and destroy” the networks providing that help.

In addition, American raids inside Iraq have netted Iranian prisoners, and the U.S. is sending a second aircraft carrier and missiles to the region.

Actions speak louder than words……

USS John C. Stennis

Tick Tock Tick Tock

The “NUCLEAR POINT OF NO RETURN” is imminent.

Stay tuned……….

Previous:

Cox & Forkum: Dead Ball

Iran Nuclear Watch: Russian Missiles Delivered to Iran: Ivanov

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran To Install 3,000 Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges

Iran Nuclear Watch: Next Target Tehran?

Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Has No Plan to Strike Iran?

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Arrests a Nuclear Spy

Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Submarine Collides With Japanese Ship

Iran Nuclear Watch: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Iran Will NEVER Abandon Development of Nuclear Technology

Cox & Forkum: Saber Rattling

Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Planning Nuclear Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?

The Iran Nuclear Files

The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

ABC News: Pelosi Won’t Block Iraq Funding to Stop Troop Surge

There may be a growing battle between Congress and the president over the Iraq War strategy, but new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she won’t block funding for additional troops.

Pelosi’s position, revealed in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, came a day after a group of senators announced a bipartisan resolution condemning the Bush administration’s plan to increase U.S. forces in Iraq by more than 20,000 troops.

While the Senate resolution would be non-binding, it would send a message to the president, and at least a dozen Republican senators have already offered their support.

Below is an excerpt from Sawyer’s interview, in which Pelosi said Democrats in Congress would not be held responsible for putting the soldiers in the troop surge in additional harm’s way by blocking funds

In other words, the Democrats do not want to be held accountable for foreign policy and military decisions that rightly belong to the President.

The Democrats will be happy to sit back and CARP………

A landmine/IED indeed…….

Mike Duhaime and Chris Henick

Hotline: Giuliani’s Team Prepares To Expand And “Revamp” His Committee

Political aides to ex-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) will reorganize his presidential exploratory efforts over the next two weeks, expanding his national finance team and adding staff in early primary states to try to transform the New York-centric operation into a credible national campaign.

Giuliani backers have run into resistance among major fundraisers and with activists in early primary states because these activists are not convinced that Giuliani actually intends to run, his aides said. In Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Giuliani lags behind Sen. John McCain and Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney in recruiting staff.

“A revamping and a ramping up of the finance operation is occurring and will continue to unfold in the days and weeks to come,” a Giuliani insider said.

In New Hampshire the Giuliani CAMPAIGN has recruited and a staff is assembling.

Union Leader: Granite Status: Assembling campaign teams

Giuliani’s New Hampshire senior campaign team will include:

• Jeb Bradley’s former outreach director, David Tille, as state political director. Tille had been with Bradley since 2002 and previously worked for Sen. Bob Smith and Rep. Charlie Bass.

• Jeff Semprini, the son of outgoing state GOP chairman Wayne Semprini, as a regional field director and youth and college outreach coordinator.

• UNH graduate Misty Haungs as state field director. A deputy regional political director for the Republican National Committee, she is a former Judd Gregg staffer and field manager for the GOP’s New Hampshire Victory 2004 organization.

• Veteran conservative organizer and strategist Chris Wood as coalitions director. He has long been active in the state GOP, the right-to-work movement and the anti-tax Citizens for a Sound Economy. He’s also worked for Presidential hopefuls Steve Forbes and Pat Buchanan.

Misty Haungs, New Hampshire Field Director

In addition, Giuliani’s team plans to announce senior level staff positions in early primary states. Also, the campaign is close to reaching an agreement with a pollster and media consultant. Aides to Giuliani declined to reveal the names of their expected hires.

The moves are “a recognition that things need to fall into place” in order for Giuliani to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate, the insider said.

This week’s announcement that ex-Rep. Jim Nussle would assist Giuliani in Iowa and the unveiling of four New Hampshire staffers to a Manchester political reporter are the first steps in that process.

“As we continue to expand our fundraising and finance team, the support we are getting is exciting,” said Roy Bailey, Giuliani’s finance chair.

Stay tuned for more staff announcements……

California Campaign Chair, Bill Simon and Hizzoner

Previous:

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rasmussen Poll – Giuliani Leads

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani and Edwards Top Latest Iowa Poll

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani’s Inner Circle

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani – The United States Should NOT Leave Iraq in Chaos

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Hires Former GOP Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle to Advise Presidential Exploratory Committee

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Soul-Searching, Waiting or Campaigning SMART?

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Tests Delaware Presidential Primary Waters

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Leading in North Carolina Poll

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani and Gingrich – GETTING IRAQ TO WORK

The Rudy Giuliani Files

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

Hollywood Hil’s? Barack is gaining

Hollywood has been a cash-spewing ATM for Sen. Hillary Clinton, but Sen. Barack Obama may challenge her top billing when it comes to Tinseltown cash.

Powerhouse agent Ari Emanuel, whose client stable includes A-listers like Michael Douglas, Martin Scorsese, Larry David and Paris Hilton, is set to throw a sure-to-be-star-studded bash for Obama (D-Ill.) next month.

A spokesman for the Endeavor agency head confirmed Emanuel “will be doing some sort of event [for Obama] in February.”

DreamWorks SKG moguls Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, along with activist actors George Clooney and Barbra Streisand, each forked over $2,000 to Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign, according to Newsmeat.com, a Web site that tracks celeb contributions.

And remember David Geffen said that “Hillary Can’t win”

Sen. Hillary Clinton should not count on help from Hollywood mogul David Geffen in her possible run for the White House in 2008.

Geffen, who was a generous supporter and pal of Bill Clinton when he was president, trashed Hillary’s prospects last night during a Q&A at the 92nd St. Y in New York City.

“She can’t win, and she’s an incredibly polarizing figure,” the billionaire Democrat told his audience. “And ambition is just not a good enough reason.”

Lloyd Grove reports in fresh editions of the NY DAILY NEWS the audience broke with “hearty applause,” over Geffen’s comments.

So, when does the politics of personal destruction start, Hillary?

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

Rasmussen: Election 2008: Giuliani 28% McCain 20%

Rudy Giuliani (R) remains the top choice of Likely Republican Primary Voters even as many inside the beltway pundits dismiss his chances. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll shows Giuliani with 28% of the vote, eight points ahead of John McCain (R). Newt Gingrich is the only other Republican in double digits, earning support from 14% of GOP voters. Mitt Romney (R) is in fourth place with 8%.

Those results are little changed over the past month in stark contrast to the Democratic competition where Senator Hillary Clinton (D) and Senator Barack Obama (D) are now virtually tied for the lead. Earlier, Clinton had held a substantial lead.

Rudy is leading yet another poll, while John McCain fades.

Is the race evolving into a two person race between Romney and Giuliani?

Perhaps……

Poor results for Hillary Clinton and the BUZZ around the blogs is: when will Hillary get started against Obama? Her Iraq War pronouncement yesterday was WEAK.

McCain and Giuliani continue to lead all Democrats in General Election match-ups at this time. All other Republican candidates struggle when matched against Democrat alternatives. See a summary of these match-ups along with favorability ratings and perceptions of the candidates’ ideology. A summary is also provided for Democratic contenders.

Stay tuned……

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, center, and his wife Judith, left, are received by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Rome’s Quirinale presidential palace, Wednesday, January 16, 2007.

Previous:

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani and Edwards Top Latest Iowa Poll

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani’s Inner Circle

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani – The United States Should NOT Leave Iraq in Chaos

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Hires Former GOP Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle to Advise Presidential Exploratory Committee

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Soul-Searching, Waiting or Campaigning SMART?

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Tests Delaware Presidential Primary Waters

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Leading in North Carolina Poll

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani and Gingrich – GETTING IRAQ TO WORK

The Rudy Giuliani Files

Boston Herald: McCain no longer rocks in Granite State

As Mitt, Hillary, Barack and a dozen others jump into the presidential stampede, something interesting is happening in New Hampshire.

For seven years, conventional wisdom has said that the state’s pivotal independent voters would line up behind maverick Sen. John McCain, as they did so famously in the 2000 GOP primary. But new polling data, to be released later this week, will suggest that might no longer be the case.

Manchester, N.H.-based American Research Group finds that McCain’s popularity among New Hampshire’s independent voters has collapsed.

“John McCain is tanking,” says ARG president Dick Bennett. “That’s the big thing [we’re finding]. In New Hampshire a year ago he got 49 percent among independent voters. That number’s way down, to 29 percent now.”

American Research Group, which is New Hampshire’s leading polling company and has been operating in the state since 1976, polled 1,200 likely Granite State voters in the survey.

And why?

McCain’s HAWKISH support for President Bush and the escalation “surge” of the Iraq War.

The main reason isn’t hard to find: His hawkish stance on the Iraq war, which is tying him ever more closely to an unpopular president. “Independent support for McCain is evaporating because they view him as tied to Bush,” says Bennett.

The McCain camp yesterday said the senator, who is pushing for a bigger troop surge in Iraq than the president, will stick by his guns. “He has been and will remain committed to achieving victory in Iraq,” a spokesman said.

New Hampshire is among the states that allow independents to vote in either party’s primary. It was their support that gave McCain his huge primary victory there over then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000.

And this television ad floating around the internet and New Hampshire by Moveon.org cannot possibly help McCain’s poll numbers.

So, where do these independent voters end up?

Rudy Giuliani on the GOP side? – some, but enough to win?

Possible

On the Democrat side?

Up for grabs……..

This has not been a good week for John McCain.

First, it was James Dobson.

Can anyone continue to think that McCain is a front-runner?

NOPE…….He is starting to fade……..

Stay tuned……….

Previous:

John McCain Watch: McCain Wants to Patch Things Up with Focus on the Family’s James Dobson

John McCain Watch: James Dobson – Cannot Support John McCain Under ANY Circumstances

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Leading in North Carolina Poll

Mitt Romney Watch: Another HYPOCRITICAL Moment? This Time Gay Marriage

Michael Ramirez on John McCain and Presidential Election 2008