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Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
Reuters: U.S. missile defense maturing, latest test a success
Within a year, the U.S. missile defense system should be able to guard against enemy attacks, while testing new technologies, the deputy director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on Monday.
The United States activated the ground-based system last summer when North Korea launched one long-range and six short-range missiles.
North Korea’s intercontinental Taepodong 2 missile fell into the Sea of Japan shortly after launch but the short-range tests appeared successful, said Brig. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency.
O’Reilly said there would be no formal announcement that the system was operational. He predicted the capability to defend against enemy missiles and to continue testing and development work would be achieved within a year.
“It’s just a matter of maturation,” he told reporters after a speech hosted by the George C. Marshall Institute, a public policy group.
O’Reilly said work by North Korea and Iran on long-range ballistic missiles underscored the need for a viable U.S. missile defense system.
February 6 marks President Ronald Reagan’s birthday – What a present to the President with the forethought to begin national missile defense.
President Reagan Addresses the Nation from the oval office on National Security (Strategic Defense Initiative speech) March 23, 1983
Remember the Leftys and Democrats who opposed and continue to oppose the program? Some are still around – Senators Carl Levin, Slow Joe Biden and John Kerry.
O’Reilly said the missile defense system, which includes sea-based and ground-based interceptors, and powerful X-Band radar systems, achieved success in 14 of 15 flight tests.
Through the end of 2007, the program will focus on protecting the United States from threats from the Middle East and North Korea, expanding coverage to U.S. allies and boosting protection against shorter-range threats.
In 2008 and beyond, there would be increased focus on countering unconventional attacks and increasing the U.S. inventory of interceptors and sensors, O’Reilly said.
Ground-Based Interceptor Emplacement, Sea-Based X-Band Radar, In-Flight Interceptor communications sytem Data Terminal. L-R-Down.
On Saturday, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), built by Lockheed Martin Corp, intercepted a target shot from a barge. It was the first test of THAAD since its move to the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.
Two more THAAD intercept tests are planned for 2007, along with three tests of the Aegis Standard Missile-3 interceptors against short- and medium-range targets, O’Reilly said.
The agency also plans two tests of long-range ground-based interceptors in late spring and early fall.
The United States has 14 interceptors in Alaska and two in California, primarily to counter North Korea. O’Reilly said the number in Alaska would grow to 21 within eight months.
By 2011, plans call for some 40 interceptors in Alaska and four at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, he said.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
He said negotiations were just beginning with Poland to host up to 10 ground-based interceptors and with the Czech Republic about fielding an advanced radar station.
Asked about the concerns of Russian officials, O’Reilly said the United States was talking with Moscow and hoped to convince it that placing U.S. missile defenses in eastern Europe could also enhance Russia’s security as well.
He gave no timeline for completing negotiations with Poland and the Czechs, but said the United States was “always looking at all our options” if either country chose not to proceed.
“We’ll have to see how it unfolds,” O’Reilly said.
Reagan was certainly a visionary.
Stay tuned……
Previous:
China Watch: China Uses Ballistic Missile to Destroy a Satellite in Space
Missile Defense Watch: U.S. Missile Defense Agency Rolls Out the Airborne Laser (ABL) Aircraft
Missile Defense Watch: The LEFT’S Revisionist History on Missile Defense
Missile Defense Watch: Reagan’s Vision
Missile Defense Watch: Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld Tours Alaska Missile Defense Center
Missile Defense Watch: United States and Israel Collaborating on Missile Defense
Missile Defense Watch: “Concept of Operations†To Be Done by Fall
Technorati Tags: MissileDefenseAgency
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Latest New Hampshire Survey USA Poll
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
Survey USA New Hampshire Poll:
In a Republican Primary in New Hampshire today, Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain are tied among Republicans, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WBZ-TV Boston. Giuliani gets 33% of likely Republican primary votes today, McCain 32%. Mitt Romney follows with 21%. 11% would vote for some other Republican.
Interesting breakdown of demographics/policy:
- Giuliani leads in 18-34 age category
- No Gender Gap for any of the candidates
- No Pro-Life Gap
- No Pro-gun Gap
- Giuliani Leads in Union member voter group
- Romney lags on his Stem-Cell position
Patrick Ruffini has his breakdown here.
Looks like there will be a race in New Hampshire.
Flap would like to see polling later in the week to see how much of a BUMP Giuliani receives from this past weekend’s speech and events in the Granite State.
Stay tuned…..
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Los Angeles Times Hits Rudy’s “Prickly Styleâ€
Giuliani Notes: Dollars for Rudy
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Who Has the Vision and Who Can Perform?
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Scouting New Hampshire at Littleton Chamber of Commerce
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Bush Iraq Plan Should Be Given A Chance
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Paul Cellucci, Former Massachusetts Governor Endorses Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani Watch:Giuliani 30% Leads McCain 22% and Romney 10%
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Latest Time Magazine Poll Has McCain Leading Giuliani by 4 Points
Rudy Giuliani Watch: What Does a Mayor Know About Iraq?
Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Air America Watch: A Buyer Finally and Franken Finally Leaves
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
Comedian Al Franken smiles during his radio show in a Washington file photo from Feb. 10, 2005. Air America Radio, a liberal talk radio network, said Monday that it had reached a tentative agreement to be sold to the founder of a New York area real estate company. The network also said that Al Franken, its longtime headline personality, would depart next month.
Los Angeles Times: Air America Radio to be sold; Franken to leave
Air America Radio, a liberal talk radio network, said today that it had reached a tentative agreement to be sold to the founder of a New York area real estate company. The network also said that Al Franken, its longtime headline personality, would depart next month.
The agreement with Stephen Green, the founder and chairman of SL Green Realty Corp., appears to rescue the struggling network, which has been seeking a buyer since last fall when it filed for bankruptcy reorganization after reaching an impasse with one of its creditors.
No terms of the sale agreement were disclosed. Any sale would have to be approved by the bankruptcy court.
Green is the brother of Mark Green, a longtime New York politician who has also appeared frequently as a guest on Air America Radio.
The network said in a statement that Franken’s last day on the network would be Feb. 14, and that his 12pm-3pm ET time slot would be taken over by Portland, Ore.-based talk show host Thom Hartmann.
FINALLY
Air America, which does business as Piquant, LLC and is headquartered in New York City, currently produces 19 hours of original programming a day and is heard on 81 affiliates reaching 54 percent of the country. Air America affiliates reach 1.9 million listeners per week, Mon-Sun 6am-12m.
And Flap thought the LEFT were going to supplant Rush Limbaugh?
Guess NOT……
Flap looks forward to Al Franken’s Minnesota Senate Campaign. But, then again, the Minnesota voters elected Jesse Ventura, eh?
Stay tuned…….
Brian Maloney has the details about the SUCKER who bought this Titanic.
Previous:
Air America Watch: Finding a Buyer and Al Franken
Air America Watch: Al Franken is OUT at Air America
Air America Radio Watch: Al Franken Cancelled in San Francisco – Soon to Leave Air America?
Michael Ramirez on Air America’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Air America Radio Watch: The SPIN
Air America Radio Watch: Air America Radio Files Chapter 11 BANKRUPTCY
Technorati Tags: AirAmerica, AlFranken
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Iran Watch: Bush Warns Iran Against Action in Iraq
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
President Bush makes remarks to the House Republican Conference in Cambridge, Md. Friday, Jan. 26, 2007.
AP: Bush warns Iran against action in Iraq
Deeply distrustful of Iran, President Bush said Monday “we will respond firmly” if Tehran escalates its military actions in
Iraq and threatens American forces or Iraqi citizens.Bush’s warning was the latest move in a bitter and more public standoff between the United States and Iran. The White House expressed skepticism about Iran’s plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorism in Iraq and supplying weapons to kill American forces.
“If Iran escalates its military actions in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and – or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly,” Bush said in an interview with National Public Radio.
The president’s comments reinforced earlier statements from the White House.
“If Iran wants to quit playing a destructive role in the affairs of Iraq and wants to play a constructive role, we would certainly welcome that,” National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. But, he said, “We’ve seen little evidence to date (of constructive activities) and frankly all we have seen is evidence to the contrary.”
The President has made it clear to Iran.
And the military might to firmly respond is getting into position:
No more Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s al-Qods Force advising insurgents/terrorists how to kill American troops.
No more Iranian made IED’s killing Iraqis and Americans.
The President should seal the border and be prepared to take out Iranian munitions plants as well as Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: United States LINKS Five Iranians Detained in Iraq to al-Qods Force
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Has No Plan to Strike Iran?
Iran Watch: United States Led Forces Detain 6 Iranians in Iraq
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Michael Ramirez on the Iraq War and Congress
The Biden resolution comes up in the Senate tomorrow.
Have you taken the PLEDGE and made your calls yet?
Flap knows you will be glad you did.
Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirez, Iraq, IraqWar
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John Edwards Watch: A Hairy Macaca Moment?
This is too funny.
Is this Edward’s Macaca moment?
Doubtful but funny anyway…….
6 Million? Tort reform, baby!
Technorati Tags: JohnEdwards
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Giuliani Notes: Rick Wiley The Executive Director of the Wisconsin Republican Party to Work for Rudy
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
RPW Executive Dir. Rick Wiley and Brad Courtney
WBAY: State G-O-P official leaving to work for Giuliani
The executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party is leaving his post to work for Rudy Giuliani’s presidential exploratory committee.
Rick Wiley had worked for the state party the past six years and will leave in coming weeks. The party announced the departure today.
Wiley will become national deputy political director for Giuliani’s presidential exploratory committee.
State party chairman Brad Courtney praised Wiley, saying the Republican fundraising is solid and the outlook for 2008 is good.
The Giuliani staff is continuing its expansion.
Do the pundits continue to think that Rudy is not running?
Stay tuned……
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Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Giuliani Notes: California Dreaming and Fund-Raising Today
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (right) attended a 2002 news conference with California GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon.
Republican hopeful takes tour of Tinseltown
Variety: Inside Move: Giuliani’s trip to Hollywood
While much attention in the past week has been paid to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s courting of the entertainment industry, Republican presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani is planning to visit Los Angeles today for a fund-raiser.
Giuliani, who has not yet publicly declared whether he will run for president, will raise money for his exploratory committee at the Pacific Palisades home of Bill Simon, who ran for governor of California in 2002 and is spearheading the former New York mayor’s fund-raising efforts in the state. Giuliani is planning another fund-raising visit to the Los Angeles area in March.
Flap previously reported a February 15, 2007 fundraising event in Orange County on February 15th.
Although McCain has been courting industry donors and laying the groundwork for a run for quite some time, what will be interesting is to see the extent of Giuliani’s support in the entertainment industry. His moderate-to-liberal stances on social issues and conservative positions on national security and the economy could have some resonance among Hollywood centrists. Giuliani already has the support of former studio chief Frank Price and writer-director Lionel Chetwynd, among others.
Earlier this month, the New York Daily News obtained and published the contents of a strategy memo that showed Giuliani was looking to Brad Grey to help round up Hollywood support, even though the memo stated that the Paramount CEO is uncommitted.
Stay tuned……
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Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Giuliani Notes: Rudy Coming to Orange County, California
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
OC Blog: Rudy’s coming to OC
Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is coming to Orange County to raise some money
According the invite to the Feb. 15 event at a home in San Juan Capistrano, host committee members include Lincoln Clubber/New Majority/Fair Board Member Dyle Dykema, Donna Porter and Bill Simon.
All of the Presidential candidates will NOT only mine California for campaign funds but also troll for votes when California changes its Presidential Primary election to February 5, 2008.
Lefty Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton has the latest machinations within the California Legislature on the move.
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Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part V
Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll
In this photo provided by CBS, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., right, listens to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., before appearing on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation’ in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007.
Hugh Hewitt: McConnell On Cloture And The Dance Of The Resolutions
Senator Mitch McConnell’s appearance on Face the Nation signaled clear victory for the victory Republicans. No resolution –not Biden’s, Warner’s or McCain’s– will advance without 60 votes for cloture. The Minority Leader also reminded the audience that General Petraeus made it clear he’d prefer no resolution. And after some nice words about Senator Warner. McConnell also announced he’d be voting against Warner’s resolution.
The Pledge is nearing 30,000 signatures, and poll questions have been added on whether Senator Warner should step aside in ’08 and on presidential preference among Pledge takers. The key for victory Repubicans is to communicate with the Senate that they expect Republicans to support the troops, General Petraeus and victory, and that such support cannot be demonstrated by posturing through hair-splitting resolutions.
This is good news.
But, this is not the time to be complacent.
Please make your calls, faxes and e-mails today to the following:
Senator McConnell: Phone: (202) 224-2541 Fax: (202) 224-2499E-mail here.
Senator Lott: Phone: 202-224-6253 Fax: (202)-224-2262 E-mail here.
Senator Kyl: Phone: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207 E-mail here.
Senator Ensign: (202)-224-6244 Fax: 202-228-2193. E-mail here.
Senator McCain: Phone: (202)-224-2235 Fax (202)-228-2862. E-mail here.
Senator Warner: Phone: (202) 224-2023 Fax: (202) 224-6295. E-mail here.
Senator Cornyn: Phone:202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856. E-mail here.
Senator Smith: Phone: 202-224-3752 Fax: 202-228-3997. E-mail here.
Senator Coleman: Phone: 202-224-5641 Fax: 202-224-1152.E-mail here.
Ask them to FILIBUSTER or VOTE AGAINST CLOTURE on ALL Iraq War resolutions supporting FAILURE coming to the floor of the Senate tomorrow/this week/the coming week.
And Senator Warner – time to retire, sir.
There WILL be a GOP Primary election challenge.
The transcript of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Face The Nation yesterday is here.
Stay tuned…….
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Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part IV
John McCain Watch: DNC Criticizes McCain Contradictions on Iraq War
Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part III
Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part II
Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge
Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirez, IraqWar, JohnWarner, MitchMcConnell