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Iran Nuclear Watch: Rice – “United States Will Look at the Full Range of Options Available to the United Nations.”
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, seen here 12 April 2006, said the United Nations must take action against Iran’s nuclear programme and highlighted part of the UN charter that allows sanctions to escalate into military action.
AFP: Rice highlights ‘full range’ of weapons open to UN against Iran
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United Nations must take action against Iran’s nuclear programme and highlighted part of the UN charter that allows sanctions to escalate into military action.
Rice said that faced with Iran’s repeated refusal to halt activities that Washington suspects hides work towards making a nuclear bomb, the United States “will look at the full range of options available to the United Nations.”
“There is no doubt that Iran continues to defy the will of the international community,” Rice said, speaking after Iran’s hardline regime dismissed appeals from the UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei to freeze its controversial research.
No doubt that John Bolton and Condoleezza Rice will push for TOUGH United Nations sanctions against Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recent bloviations may, in fact, aid in pursuading recalcitrant China and Russia to agree. However, Flap believes it will be secret economic deals with these two permanent members of the Security Council that will pursuade them to sanction Iran.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed there was “no room for defeat and retreat” over the nuclear work he insists is peaceful.
But Rice declared: “When the Security Council reconvenes, there will have to be some consequence for that action.”
She suggested chapter seven of the UN Charter which sets out specific action that can be taken when there is a threat to international peace or an act of aggression.
“One thing the Security Council has, and the IAEA does not have, is the ability to compel, through chapter seven resolutions, member states of the UN to obey the will of the international system,” Rice said.
“And I’m certain that we’ll look at measures that could be taken to ensure that Iran knows that they really have no choice but to comply.”
A statement approved by the UN Security Council last month gives Iran until April 28 to comply with IAEA demands to suspend its programme. It will then consider follow-up action.
Chapter Seven resolutions have a number of articles that can apply:
Article 41 of the chapter allows for sanctions, including economic and transport measures or the severance of diplomatic relations.
Article 42 states that if those measures fail, the UN Security Council “may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security”.
Rice condemned the Iranian negotiating ploy which US official say is to secure concessions and then still refuse to end the nuclear research.
“There is no doubt that Iran has continued salami-slicing tactics — a little bit here, and then a little bit more, and then a little bit more — despite the fact that the international community has said very clearly, ‘Stop’,” said the secretary of state.
“I want to just note that the Iranian regime is, of course, isolating itself. It is doing this despite the great desire of the international community to engage and to reach out to the Iranian people,” said Rice.
Stay tuned…..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Could Produce a Nuclear Bomb in 16 Days
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran to Move to Large-Scale Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Cannot Confirm Uranium Enrichment Claim
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mark Steyn – Facing Down Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – “Iran Has Joined the Club of Nuclear Countriesâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Producing Enriched Uranium
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – “Iran Won’t Back Down ‘ONE IOTA’ in Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Bush – “Wild Speculationâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: White House Dampens Talk of Iran Military Strike
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran – “United States Engaged in Psychological Warâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Nuclear Attack on Iran – “Not on the Agendaâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Considers Use of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran – Redux
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Considers Use of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran
The 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, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
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South Park Watch: Comedy Central Pulls Plug on Showing Muhammed
***Scroll Down for Updates***
Muhammed from the Muhammed Caricatures
Michelle Malkin: “DO THE RIGHT THING! SHOW MOHAMMED”
Everyone’s buzzing about last night’s South Park episode. It’s currently the #1 search term at Technorati. So, did Comedy Central censor Mohammed or not?
Ed Morrissey and Jim Lindgren provide different views.
Bottom line from The Anchoress:
All in all, pretty funny in some places, dumb in others – I really want to know if Comedy Central caved – the message was clear: either it’s all fair game, or nothing is, and to appease is to concede valuable liberties. I concur.
Video highlights at Malcovision, Youtube, or right here
But, there have been updates and there is an uncensored version making its way around P2P internet sites.
***Update: Stephen Spruiell reports at The Media Blog…”I just got off the phone with a Comedy Central spokesman. I asked him about last night’s episode of South Park in which, at a moment right before the prophet Mohammed was supposed to make a cameo, the words, “Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network” appeared on the screen. I asked him whether this truly was Comedy Central’s decision or whether this was just another gag (with South Park, you never know). He said: ‘They reflected it accurately. That was a Comedy Central decision.’ Just in case there was any confusion, that settles it. Comedy Central censored the image.”***
***Update II: Reader Jason E. writes, “The uncensored version of the show is already available on various P2P file sharing sites. I just watched the bit with Mohammed. It’s the same Mohammed that is shown in previous episodes, he walks in, gives Peter a salmon helmet?, says jihad, jihad a couple times and leaves. OBTW don’t know if you are aware but apparently Mohammed is briefly visible during the opening credits. I was not able to confirm this myself even after several viewings.” (Ed. note: I didn’t see it, either, but several other readers have mentioned this)***
Michelle has the video clips here and here – the censored versions.
Flap will post a link to the uncensored version when he finds one.
***Update ***Shawn Wasson has a video clip of the “fake” uncensored version.
Brendan Loy has an analysis as to why this video clip is fakery.
And here is an image showing Muhammed in the opening credits to South Park:
***Update End ***As far as Viacom and Comedy Central, particularly since they wimped out to the Scientologists – Flap says Bleh…..
The creators of South Park, will parody and blaspheme just about any conventional social institution except a simple caricature depicting Muhammed. This comment from the Washington Post piece is most fitting:
A frequent “South Park” critic, William Donohue of the anti-defamation group Catholic League, called on Parker and Stone to resign out of principle for being censored.
“The ultimate hypocrite is not Comedy Central _ that’s their decision not to show the image of Muhammad or not _ it’s Parker and Stone,” he said. “Like little whores, they’ll sit there and grab the bucks. They’ll sit there and they’ll whine and they’ll take their shot at Jesus. That’s their stock in trade.”
“South Park” creators Trey Parker, left, and Matt Stone pose at their offices in Los Angeles on Oct. 14, 2005. Banned by Comedy Central from showing an image of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the creators of “South Park” skewered their own network for hypocrisy in the cartoon’s most recent episode.
Crap on Bush, Crap on Jesus, Crap on US. Are Parker and Stone Little Whores?
You betcha…..
Will Flap watch South Park, Comedy Central again or frequent their advertisers…..
NOPE……
Comedy Central can go suck GAS……..
Update #1
Kevin at Wizbang has a different explanation.
Really, what other explanation can there be?
South Park airs Part II of their Cartoon Wars storyline and there’s a bit about Comedy Central censoring the image of Mohammed from appearing in the episode. Immediately after that Jesus is shown pooping on an American flag and other people.
There’s all sorts of discussion in the blogosphere about the hidden meanings of the episode and the cowardice of the network. NRO’s Steven Spruiell even contacted the network about the censorship and proclaims their statement, as proof the network silenced the South Park creators – never mind that Mohammed has appeared in previous episodes and is in the intro.
I’m not buying it…
Matt and Trey, with the willing (or unwilling) participation of Comedy Central executives are experimenting with the blogosphere. While it may be true that the network refused to broadcast the image, it’s entirely possible that the they situated Mohammed in an image guaranteed to require censorship. Think bestiality, kiddie porn, goatse.cx, etc…
They’re probably watching the discussion unfold and getting a good laugh out of it… or some fresh material…
Flap doesn’t buy it but then he doesn’t buy Mary Katharine Ham’s APOLOGIA over at Hugh Hewitt’s Blog either.
Seriously, does he not get the joke? The statement that Comedy Central concedes it’s all right to show Jesus defecating on Bush and an American flag, but it’s entirely inappropriate to show Mohammed at all?
That is powerful, and Comedy Central should be utterly ashamed of itself. I’m proud of the South Park boys for going to extra mile to make them ashamed.
I always knew, from the first time I saw an 80-foot, alien-tracking satellite pop out of Cartman’s posterior in Episode 1, that those boys were gonna make something of themselves.
Please send feedback to Comedy Central about the show, here. Yes, they’re crude and lewd and inappropriate for children, but Trey Parker and Matt Stone are also fighting the good fight.
Flap supposes he doesn’t get it……
But, REALLY he doesn’t want South Park and the WHORES Parker and Stone…..
From the Blogosphere:The Volokh Conspiracy: Did Comedy Central Censor South Park?
NRO,
the Captain,
Iowa Voice,
Anchoress,
Political Pit Bull,
Right Wing News,Tammy Bruce,
Coalition of the Swilling,
You Tube,
Pretend Pundit
Previous:
South Park Watch: Issac Hayes Quits and Scientology Episode Cancelled
Technorati Tags: SouthPark, Muhammed, TreyParker, MattStone
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Global War on Terror Watch: Vets for Freedom
Washington Post: Troops in Support Of the War
By Wade Zirkle
In view of his distinguished military career, John Murtha has been the subject of much attention from the media and is a sought-after spokesman for opponents of the Iraq war. He has earned the right to speak. But his comments supposedly expressing the negative views of those who have and are now serving in the Middle East run counter to what I and others know and hear from our own colleagues — from junior officers to the enlisted backbone of our fighting force.
Murtha undoubtedly knows full well that the greatest single thing that drags on morale in war is the loss of a buddy. But second to that is politicians questioning, in amplified tones, the validity of that loss to our families, colleagues, the nation and the world.
While we don’t question his motives, we do question his assumptions. When he called for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, there was a sense of respectful disagreement among most military personnel. But when he subsequently stated that he would not join today’s military, he made clear to the majority of us that he is out of touch with the troops. Quite frankly, it was received as a slap in the face.
A John Murtha SMACKDOWN?
You betcha……
And a smackdown to all of the cut and run morons out there who say they support our troops and undercut them at every instance.
Wade Zirkle, Founder of Vets for Freedom
Wade is a former Marine Lieutenant who served two deployments to Iraq, first with Second Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (Camp Lejeune, N.C.) and most recently with the Camp Pendleton, California-based infantry unit Second Battalion, First Marines in 2004. He holds a Purple Heart. Wade is from Shenandoah County, Virginia and serves full-time with Vets for Freedom. Wade (and David Bellavia) are heading back to Iraq in May as civilians, to report on the training and efficacy of Iraqi Security and Police Forces, and to gauge the morale and combat effectiveness of US forces.
Learn more about Wade’s platoon here.
Hugh Hewitt has Veterans for Freedom: “Troops in Support of the War”
The seven founders are an impressive array of warriors, and I suspect this group is headed for the significance in the political debates which it deserves. Talk show hosts and producers –radio and television divisions– as well as newspaper editors now have a convenient way to sample veteran opinion on the ongoing war.
I expect the new media to make great use of this source, and MSM to only do so grudgingly.
Certainly every mention of Cindy Sheehan or Paul Hackett should be matched with a comment from this organization.
It is possible to donate online to the support of this organization, and I hope you join me in doing so today.Michelle Malkin has SMACKING DOWN JOHN MURTHA
Flashbacks…
A soldier takes on Murtha and Moran
Video: A veteran tells off Murtha/Moran
Video: Another vet tells off Murtha/Moran
Fighting the Murtha/Moran-itesPrevious:
Jack Murtha Watch: Wrong, Unhinged and a Crank
Iraq War Watch: Murtha – Would You Join Military Today? “NO!â€
Iraq War Watch: Murtha – The People Made Me Do IT
Iraq War Watch: Murtha Says Cut and Run Part Three
Iraq War Watch: Murtha Says Cut and Run Part Two
Iraq War Watch: Murtha Says Cut and Run
And from Chris Muir, March 7, 2006:
Technorati Tags: WadeZirkle, VetsforFreedom, JohnMurtha, VeteransforFreedom, JimMoran -
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Latest Field Poll Shows Tepid Support
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger , center, shakes hand with veterinary student April Miles, right, while touring the Gladys Valley Hall under construction at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, Calif., Wednesday, April 12, 2006. Schwarzenegger toured the new building to view the energy efficient aspects of the building. After the tour Schwarzenegger helped in presenting a $1 million California Clean Energy Fund grant to UC Davis, to create the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center to advance innnovation in energy efficiency. Also seen are veterinary students Carlos Borges, left, Karen Park, second from left, and Brian Veltni, third from left.
Sacramento Bee: Field Poll: Governor’s support tepid
Five months removed from the rebuke they gave him in last November’s special election, California voters are still not happy with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but some of that disdain might be softening, according to a new Field Poll.
Schwarzenegger’s approval rating remains in the danger zone at 39 percent, while 47 percent of registered voters disapproved of his performance. Another 14 percent had no opinion – a doubling of the undecideds since the governor’s tough times at the end of the special election.
The survey, taken April 3-10, also showed approval ratings for the Legislature remaining in the tank at 28 percent – down from the slight uptick lawmakers enjoyed in February.
Not good news for the governor. And rumblings in the California Republican Party are saying that there will be a depressed GOP turn-out in November.
On the good news front, Phil Angelides and Steve Westly are turning out the “light weights” that every California political pundit predicted.
Stay tuned….
Previous:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Rob Reiner Resigns – FINALLY
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: This is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s MESS Now
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Rob Reiner = “A Friendâ€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Alliance for a Better California – “We’re BACK!â€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: The New Majority
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Public Works Bonds are DEAD and so is Schwarzenegger’s Re-election?
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, RobReiner, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – “We Won’t Hold Talks With Anyone About the Right of the Iranian Nation (to Enrich Uranium)”
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during his visit to Taibad, near Mashad, 924 km east of Tehran, Iran April 12, 2006. Iran said it would ignore renewed international calls to halt uranium enrichment, casting a shadow over Thursday’s visit for nuclear talks by the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog.
ASSociated Press: Iran Vows Not to Back Away From Enrichment
Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Thursday that Iran won’t back away from uranium enrichment and said the world must treat Iran as a nuclear power.
The comments were made as Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrived in Tehran for talks aimed at defusing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
“Our answer to those who are angry about Iran achieving the full nuclear fuel cycle is just one phrase. We say: Be angry at us and die of this anger,” the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
“We won’t hold talks with anyone about the right of the Iranian nation (to enrich uranium).”
And this has been Iran’s consistent position for months but flies directly in the face of the United Nations Security Council which insists that Iran halt all enrichment by April 28.
Ahmadinejad is disrespecting IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei who has arrived in Iran for talks. The IAEA is to report back to the Security Council by April 28.In the meantime, security council members Russia and China are dispatching diplomats to Iran to discuss the latest uranium enrichment revelations.
The IAEA is due to report to the Security Council on April 28 whether Iran has met its demand for a full halt to uranium enrichment. If Tehran has not complied, the council will consider the next step. The U.S. and Europe are pressing for sanctions, a step Russia and China have so far opposed.
Flap doesn’t expect much from the international community and the United Nations. By stalling and obfusctaion, Iran has now established their uranium enrichment operation and fortified and hidden the facilities.
How naive can you be about Iranian intentions to enrich sufficient amounts of uranium for a nuclear weapon?
Stay tuned……
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Could Produce a Nuclear Bomb in 16 Days
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran to Move to Large-Scale Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Cannot Confirm Uranium Enrichment Claim
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mark Steyn – Facing Down Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – “Iran Has Joined the Club of Nuclear Countriesâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Producing Enriched Uranium
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – “Iran Won’t Back Down ‘ONE IOTA’ in Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Bush – “Wild Speculationâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: White House Dampens Talk of Iran Military Strike
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran – “United States Engaged in Psychological Warâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Nuclear Attack on Iran – “Not on the Agendaâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Considers Use of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran – Redux
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Considers Use of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran
The 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, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
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Day By Day by Chris Muir