• Kurt Westergaard,  Muhammad Caricatures

    Kurt Westergaard Cuts Short Norway Visit Due to Possible Attack

    Danish Muhammad Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard

    The Islamists will never leave Kurt Westergaard in peace.

    A Danish cartoonist targetted by Islamists for his 2005 caricature of the Prophet Mohammed cut short a visit to Norway after police caught wind of a possible attack against him, he said Tuesday.

    Kurt Westergaard, 76, has already been the victim of a murder attempt and numerous death threats after drawing the most controversial of the 12 cartoons of the Prophet that appeared in the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten, depicting his turban with a lit fuse in it.

    Westergaard had been scheduled to attend the launch in Oslo on Tuesday of a children’s book for which he provided the illustrations, but he cancelled and returned to Denmark late Monday after Norway’s intelligence agency PST was informed of a possible plot against him.

    “I was told to return home immediately, the official version being that I had heart problems,” he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

    “It’s something that was decided by the Norwegian and Danish intelligence agencies (PST and PET) and so I returned home immediately,” he said, adding that he had no health complaints in reality.

    Westergaard lives with 24 hour security after an axe-wielding Somali broke into his hon=me in January 2010.

    All of this for a cartoon of Mohammed.

  • Methamphetamine

    United Nations Says Methamphetamine Use Surging in Southeast Asia

    Thai Malay Muslim drug users drink 4×100, the popular cheap narcotic drink on September 1, 2011in Narwathiwat, southern Thailand. Translated as ” sii khun roi,” 4 x 100 is a mix of the illegal kratom leaf, cough syrup and Coca-Cola with added ingredients like tranquilizers and marijuana

    Not a good development.

    “Over the past five years, ATS manufacture has spread to new regions which previously reported little or no manufacture,” the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s 2011 Global ATS Assessment report said.

    “ATS are attractive to millions of drug users in all regions of the world because they are affordable, convenient to the user and often associated with a modern and dynamic lifestyle.”

    The UN’s last assessment on the illicit production and trade in ATS, including ecstasy and methamphetamines, was published in 2008.

    The illicit manufacture of methamphetamines in South-East Asia has continued apace despite a significant rise in seizures from 32 million pills in 2008 to 133 million last year.

    While Myanmar remains the main source of methamphetamine production, new bases have emerged.

    Over the past five years, Indonesia has become a major producer of ecstasy, threatening to replace the Netherlands as the main regional supplier of the up-market party drug.

    In Europe, there is growing evidence of the spread of methamphetamine production replacing less expensive amphetamines.

    Illicit methamphetamine laboratories have been seized for the first time in Austria, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal, according to the UN report.

    “In Germany, more methamphetamine laboratories have been reported than amphetamine since 2008,” it said.

    Africa, which appeared to have escaped the ATS menace for years, is now on the map.

    The US government last year indicted members of a large international cocaine trafficking ring for alleged intent to establish a methamphetamine laboratory in Liberia.

    As recently as June, a methamphetamine laboratory was discovered in Nigeria, on the outskirts of Lagos.

    The question remains: Where are they getting the precursor chemicals to manufacture these amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)? There are only nine manufacturing sites world-wide and can they not be tracked and shut down if they divert the chemicals?

    Somebody is dropping the ball here or intentionally looking the other way.

  • Michele Bachmann,  Mitch Daniels,  Mitt Romney,  President 2012,  Rick Perry,  Rick Santorum,  Sarah Palin

    President 2012: CNN/Tea Express GOP Debate Winners and Losers

    David Brody interviews former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum

    After watching last night’s GOP Presidential debate, I am wondering how and where the GOP got to this place with the top two candidates being Rick Perry and Mitt Romney with an assorted supporting cast. The field could use another candidate or two – calling Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels or Representative Paul Ryan – PLEASE RUN.

    The current GOP Presidential field is very weak, each candidate has a track record that can be exploited in the primary elections and by the Democrats in the general election. But, with that said, Sarah Palin has said it is a time for choosing and choose we must.

    Winner: Mitt Romney

    Mitt Romney appeared Presidential, looked good in his skin and his suit was impeccable. Romney shows that he is a cool, calculated character who is not easily rattled. His experience in running for the Presidency these past 6-8 years shows. RomneyCare looms in the background and is very exploitable by the Obama team – they can hardly wait as a matter of fact. But, it might not help Obama and Axelrod with this very poor American economy.

    Romney was able to attack Rick Perry with a smile on his face and the nasty direct mail in his back pocket. The attack television ads, especially in Nevada and Florida are just a few months away. Everyone knows they are coming. The issue will be Social Security and Romney will drive Perry into the ground with the term Ponzi Scheme.

    Biggest Loser: Rick Perry

    Rick Santorum’s quote in the video above is the most telling, “The more I find out about Rick Perry the more concern I have.” This was my feeling and that of the Twitterverse last night. This morning the MSM is piling on Perry.

    The Texas Governor continued his folksy way, but did not answer the Social Security Ponzi Scheme questions. Perry has put forward no entitlement reform plan. Romney attacked the issues and the others piled on.

    The Gardisil, “government injection” flap was devastating to Perry. We all knew it was coming and exploitable, but Michele Bachmann thrust in the knife and Rick Santorum twisted it. Perry made a poor policy decision, and certainly not a one that will endear him to conservatives – or anyone for that matter. Bachmann’s framing of the issue as “crony capitalism” and a pay off from lobbyists will be replayed time and again.

    Next, was the illegal immigration issue and the Texas Dream Act. Perry signed the bill giving the children of illegal aliens an entitlement paid by American citizen taxpayers and was booed by the Tea Party crowd. Immigration is not a primary issue because the GOP controls the House, but conservatives and the Tea Party have to be wondering if this former Al Gore supporter will not be another Bush and/or McCain pushing comprehensive immigration reform. Being booed by the Tea Party is NOT a good thing for Rick Perry.

    None of these single issues are fatal to the Perry campaign, but voters have to be wondering, why is Rick Perry considered the front-runner?

    Losers: All of the rest

    Michele Bachmann did OK and I can see her doing well in Iowa. But, her vision is narrow, has no executive experience and her voice grates on me after a few minutes.

    Jon Huntsman – made wise-ass jokes about Nirvana and immigration (to Perry) and has revealed him as the rich, arrogant ass that he is. Huntsman is through with his Presidential run for this year and all time. Done – put a fork in him.

    All of the rest have NO chance and debate organizers should limit the number of participants to 3 or 4, plus any newcomers.

    Another candidate:

    The GOP Establishment must be scrambling this morning after Rick Perry’s implosion. There are better GOP candidates out there and they should be asked to run. Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, Paul Ryan are all better candidates, than any in the field. Sarah Palin probably won’t run, but she could beat these characters.

    If this is the best field, then you go with Romney, run the Senate races hard and keep your fingers crossed that Obama is so weak that Romney can manage a small win. The GOP will hedge its bets by winning the U.S. Senate and effectively blocking the lame duck Obama.

    I was very disappointed in this debate and am certainly not as optimistic that Obama will be a one term President as I was prior.

  • Twitter

    @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-09-13

    • @sjreidhead enforce the law at the agricultural fields and meat plants will be very successful – agree you cannot build everywhere in reply to sjreidhead #
    • @meredith_turney OK, illegal immigration is a weak part of Rick Perry's policy – not fatal but weak in reply to meredith_turney #
    • @sjreidhead You are correct but in some areas it has been and will be successful. Need a multi-tier approach in reply to sjreidhead #
    • Ok I eered next debate = Romney, Perry and Bachmann only – the rest can go write books #
    • @sjreidhead A wall and troops and aeriel and E-Verify = a start in reply to sjreidhead #
    • @meredith_turney 10th amendment is a lame excuse for Texas Dream Act Meredith in reply to meredith_turney #
    • @sjreidhead Probably – ever been to Mexicali/Juarez and/or tijuana? in reply to sjreidhead #
    • All of these GOP candidates have a history of sucking on illegal immigration but Perry sucks worse than some of them #
    • I am enjoying this vetting of Perry on illegal immigration because if elected I am afriad he will sign on to an amnesty plan like Bush #
    • @SuePalmers Not sign the Dream Act surely in reply to SuePalmers #
    • Perry is going to suffer on his immigration answers – clearly trying to pivot but conservatives know he is weak on the issue #
    • Bachmann says the Dream Act is not the American Way and is cheered by the tea party crowd #
    • Rick Perry not apologizing for his signing of the Dream act and is booed by the tea party crowd. #
    • Rick Perry is weak on illegal immigration and it is becoming readily apparent to the Tea party audience #
    • Romney is responding to RomneyCare better than Perry answered HPV vaccine #
    • Bachmann coins term of the debate: government injection #
    • HPV Vaccine as is Social Security an achille heal for rRck Perry. Get used to it because Obama and Dems will exploit them #
    • Perry dodges the question about his relationship with Merck and his staff affiliated with the drug company who made HPV Vaccine #
    • Santorum now piling on Perry about HPV. Driving the Bachmann knife in way deep #
    • Bachmann twisting the HPV knife deep into Perry – government injection #
    • Mitt Romney flubbed the Fair Tax answer and sounded like a Democrat extolling the Middle Class. Perry clearly the favorite in this crowd #
    • @maggidaly Easy answer = the polls in reply to maggidaly #
    • I think Perry should appoint Romney as the Secretary of the Treasury #
    • Michele Bachmann looked pretty good when she beat up on Tim Pawlenty against Perry not so much #
    • After almost an hour, nothing has changed – still a two candidate race Perry Vs. Romney – so team up and end the primary season #
    • Let's see ho is underperforming this debate: Bachmann, Cain, Huntsman, Santorum – 4 left and 4 should be at next debate #
    • Perry campaign e-mails: setting the record straight on social security – take that Mitt #
    • Rick Perry was stiff at the beginning of the debate and has loosened up now and on a roll —> slapped romney on the poker comment #
    • Will Rick Perry manhandle Ron Paul again? He definitley does not like his criticism of his Texas economic record #
    • Good Rick Perry line on poker – turns it around on Romney on his four aces comment –> goes after Obama and not Romney #
    • Rick Perry snickers at Romney's pay phone and Obama jamming quarters metaphor on economy #
    • RT @TheFix: "People are tired of spending money on programs we don't want." — Perry to big applause. #cnnteaparty #
    • Only one POL lectures more than Obama and that is Newt….keep it short Newt and make this your last debate – please #
    • They are still talking about social security when Americans need jobs and economic growth. endorse the Ryan Plan or a mod thereof & move on #
    • Huntsman channels Kurt Cobain on social security then Newt comes to the rescue. #
    • Rick Perry is steaming under the collar. Gives the stink eye to Romney. Perry still does not have the right answer #
    • Romney is sticking it to Perry and the Texas governor is looking rather badly. Romney is twisting the knife #
    • Rick Perry looks very wooden tonight – very stiff. Was he over rehearsed? #
    • Wolf says Ponzi scheme – not Bachmann = amazing #
    • Romney wins opening statements – looks the most Presidential – Newt is second. What is Perry wearing? #
    • This debate is 10 minutes in and still has not started = wasted time for the candidates. The introductions were unnecessary. #
    • After this debate, the GOP and organizers should cut the field down to 4 #
    • CNN's Wolf Blitzer is announcing the candidates like an NBA line-up -and in the middle Jon Huntsman and at right forward is Rick Perry #tcot #
    • Welcome to the GOP Presidential debate, I will be commenting for as long as I can stand it. #tcot #teaparty #
    • Watching the CNN debate on CNN-HD here in Thousand Oaks. Who is making book on who will say Ponzi Scheme first? #tcot #
    • @ShaneGoldmacher Dentistry was like this prior to Dent-Cal ending but worse now. in reply to ShaneGoldmacher #
    • President 2012: CNN/Tea Party Express GOP Presidential Debate at 5 PM Tonight http://t.co/BHtBClB #tcot #catcot #
    • Obama Seeks to End Tax Breaks to Pay for Jobs Plan http://t.co/4P374cn #
    • Obama Plans to End Tax Breaks to Pay for Jobs Program http://t.co/tUNl8BC #
    • EPA Regulation forces closure of Texas energy Facilities, eliminates 500 Jobs http://t.co/xsEjG3E #
    • Flap’s Links and Comments for September 12th on 15:03 http://t.co/qnx2fz7 #tcot #catcot #
    • Dilbert September 12, 2011 – Full Benefit http://t.co/SkwvEHZ #
    • Ok, one more bizarre dental story….: http://t.co/hig1RQv #
    • Indian Toothpastes Come With an Extra Kick – Nicotine? http://t.co/jI3SAML #
    • More than an oops!: http://t.co/Aly3944 #
    • U.K. Dentist Extracts Wrong Tooth And Then Sews It Back In? http://t.co/jI1Pclf #
    • Yeah, this makes news for Rick Perry – the Bobby Jindal endorsement: http://t.co/dTq3VTa #tcot #teaparty #
    • Wow, it is up from 13% in August. I would not want to be running for Congress next year as an incumbent.: http://t.co/JgUPuqt #
    • Poll Watch: Congressional Approval at 15% http://t.co/F3obo7S #tcot #catcot #
    • CA-30: Clash of the Titans – Howard Berman Vs. Brad Sherman http://t.co/GReWqz7 #
    • Is Perry going to walk back his Social Security rhetoric? http://t.co/kCxuHx6 #
    • Rick Perry Walks the Third Rail http://t.co/zQ7Ea9P #
    • Flap’s Links and Comments for September 12th on 08:30 http://t.co/SY4OcNm #tcot #catcot #
    • How well Perry answers the Social Security Ponzi Scheme question tonight may well determine his success in GOP primaries #tcot #teaparty #
    • Pawlenty on FNC – Tim go away – we don't need you telling Republicans how to vote in a competitive primary election #
    • Should have been 50K RT @BreakingNews: Serena Williams fined $2,000 for verbal abuse during US Open women's singles final – USTA #
    • Flap’s California Morning Collection: September 12, 2011 http://t.co/hKqy19t #
    • Today's Top California Headlines: http://t.co/bb9d4z3 #
    • President 2012: Mitt Romney Delivers Labor Policy Speech – Backs Boeing | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/pKtAMWV #
    • Virtual Colonoscopy to Become the Standard to Detect Colon Cancer? | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Te… http://t.co/xpqlxrW #
    • Flap’s Links and Comments for September 11th through September 12th | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/hKBGrxj #
    • @bfrein Oh I see – trying to impress the ladies with your daredevil skills again. But, better u than me – I hate heights! in reply to bfrein #
    • @bfrein That is what you get for dropping Road Chickie @merider on your 50 milers. But, watch your step <wink> #
    • Romney to give labor speech Monday after touring Boeing in North Charleston http://t.co/PZXB9ym #
    • President 2012: Mitt Romney Delivers Labor Policy Speech – Backs Boeing http://t.co/o2ypQcJ #tcot #catcot #
    • Virtual Colonoscopy to Become the Standard to Detect Colon Cancer? http://t.co/xpqlxrW #
    • Flap’s Links and Comments for September 11th through September 12th http://t.co/1Ixrbyj #tcot #catcot #
    • National poll on government regulations http://t.co/qYKjrM8 #
    • Glenn Beck Online Network Set to Make $20 Million This Year http://t.co/tUufhqh #
    • RT @mashable: Glenn Beck Online Network Set to Make $20 Million This Year [REPORT] – http://t.co/Ii4QOhf #teaparty #tcot #
    • It is the colon prep that is the worst of the procedure.: http://t.co/9lnUWj2 #
    • California Redistricting for Congressional Districts referendum cleared for circulation of signatures http://t.co/UGahWHB #catcot #
    • I am wondering if Joe Biden will tell Obama that this is a big frakking deal after he finishes his teleprompter speech on jobs bill? #tcot #
    • Day By Day September 12, 2010 – RhinoTastic http://t.co/cUih80H #tcot #catcot #
    • Howard Jarvis Killed Jerry Brown Tax Plan? http://t.co/66Te0h4 #
    • The Feds are bankrupt, California is bankrupt, people are out of work and there is simply no funding to provide care…: http://t.co/okBOI4v #
    • California Reduces State Dental Medicaid Benefits and Patients Suffer http://t.co/zrsbnqK #
    • No, Jerry Brown tried to ram it through the Legislature at the last minute = standard.: http://t.co/p4TaQbd #
    • @Tejanarusa But, then there is a availability problem, out of area libraries do charge for their cards, plus transportation costs in reply to Tejanarusa #
    • So, do more senior internet users use the mobile internet during work hours?: http://t.co/viv9oBE #
    • Nielsen’s Social Media Report: Users Over 55 Driving Growth of Social Networking Through the Mobil… http://t.co/qBuoozu #tcot #catcot #
    • Is this race over?: http://t.co/wXePZAw #
    • President 2012: Perry 31% Vs. Romney 21% Vs. Paul 12% http://t.co/IBAidty #tcot #catcot #
    • @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-09-12 http://t.co/3iFYXwr #tcot #catcot #
    • Study: Cigarette Smoking Causes More Aterial Damage in Women | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) … http://t.co/RqXHskG #
    • Dilbert September 11, 2011 – Terrific » Flap's California Blog http://t.co/Gk6Ni2h #
    • Day By Day September 11, 2011 – Free Will | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/sNQOTGO #

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