That's better. The Kurds. They know the deal.

And one of the reasons Mosul fell was because any and all actions had to come from Baghdad. The other reason is the Iraqi military had no clue what they were doing. "Here is my gun and I pull the trigger." Not exactly.

A central government will not work for Iraq. The government has to be decentralized. The Kurds know what they are doing and leave them alone. The Shia know what they are doing and leave them alone. Now it has to be determined if Saudi Arabia is actively interested in the insurgents in al Anbar and what is going to be done to stop any killing, if anything. If there is nothing Saudi Arabia can do to influence the vicious killings then decisions lie ahead about bombing, where and how.

June 24, 2014
VOA News

...In Kurdistan, (click here) Kerry thanked the Kurdish leader for helping battle the militants during their meeting. He went on to stress that resolving the current conflict revolves around forming an inclusive new government in Baghdad.

“As everybody knows, this is a very critical time for Iraq as a whole and the government formation challenge is the central challenge that we face," Kerry said. "In recent days the security cooperation between the forces here in the Kurdish area has been really critical in helping to draw a line with respect to ISIL and also to provide some support to the Iraqi security forces.”

But Barzani was cautious about cooperating with the Baghdad forces, saying it was impossible to fight the militants, "without a clear future, a complete agreement and a complete political solution."

Kerry told U.S. broadcaster CBS that President Barack Obama is not planning to help the government of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki with air support, due to the lack of political consensus among Iraqi leaders.  He said it would be a "total act of irresponsibility" for the president to order air strikes when the current Iraqi government is not unified.

Fly by wire. No different than depending on driverless cars and trucks. It will be a nightmare.

I told you so. I told you so. I told you so.

June 24, 2014
Bart Jansen
...Contributing factors (click here) included the complexities of the Boeing 777's autothrottle, which were inadequately described in the manufacturer's documents, along with inadequate pilot training and monitoring, the board said.

The board agreed to the cause and contributing factors by a series of 4-0 votes. To avoid future crashes. the board agreed to recommendations including enhancing training for the autothrottle and requiring pilots to land flights manually more often to remain familiar with it....

I am grateful for the endorsement by business regarding scientific findings. But, I may or may not have new insight regarding compliance.

By Meagan Clark - Global warming (click here) if unchecked could ruin businesses from tourism to construction, according to a report, Risky Business, released Tuesday by slew of politicians and economic figures from left, right and center political leanings, including former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, hedge-fund billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer and former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson....

Compliance to the EPA regulations regarding greenhouse gases is needed to achieve relief and reversal of this deadly warming trend on Earth. I am sure everyone would agree.

I have a source within the petroleum industry and this is the 'entire' of the petroleum industry which states the regulations are made mute by those within the industry scouring them for loopholes.

Here is just one. The petroleum industry uses a lot of ancillary equipment such as huge compressors to force air into drill sites to push all the oil out of any crack and crevasse and to push fracking materials into the deep recesses of Earth's crust to extract whatever they choose.

Perhaps, one might recall Catepillar shut down it's production of some of their engines. Well, it goes like this. The industry does not want to hire technicians to make field visits to monitor or maintain any of their equipment. See, to modify the ancillary equipment used in the oil and gas field it requires technological changes. Changes that would probably increase the USA work force. But, the industry doesn't want to hire anymore personnel they want to simply set up the equipment, drill the hole and let it run all by itself. No human beings needed.

So, let's just say the oil fields need an air compressor (value about a quarter million) with about 600 horsepower. The industry is making the decision to abandon the 600 horsepower engines and circumvent the regulations to use a 720 horsepower engine. The 720 isn't impacted by required technology. 

So, the petroleum industry is not only circumventing any regulations of greenhouse gases, they are producing more than it did before. I suggest those with a conscience divest of the petroleum stocks and instead invest those monies into...let's say..."Tesla" who is sharing their technology with other auto producers to increase the number of electric cars in use. Tesla absolutely has proven itself to be a 'high moral' content partner to defeat global warming. I can't thank them enough. To me it was enough they found the technology and never gave up on producing cars, but, to share the technology they developed is a commit to 'moral concept cars' I can not repay.

It is amazing the willingness the Western Media will go to propagate war.

by Taylor Luck and Omar Obeidat and Khetam Malkawi

Jun 23, 2014 | 23:22 

Extremist group ‘does not control Iraq border post’ sources (click here)

AMMAN — The Kingdom on Monday continued sending military reinforcements to the country’s border with Iraq, where business was as usual regarding the flow of passengers and goods, sources said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi tribal leaders based in Jordan confirmed reports that the western Iraq towns adjacent to the border with Jordan are controlled by fighters from Sunni tribes that are “on good terms with Jordan”, contradicting reports that the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over the border zone.

Officials said that despite the military build-up on the border, no threatening development has been reported up to Monday afternoon.

An informed source told The Jordan Times there had been no infiltration attempts recorded so far.

“However, we beefed up border defences to be prepared to deal with any emergency or any attempt to penetrate the borderline,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, who is also government spokesperson, told The Jordan Times that “there is no decision to close the border yet, but traffic is limited”.

The Agriculture Ministry reported on Monday that Iraq reopened its market to Jordan’s vegetable and fruit produce, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Even on the Iraqi side, the situation is normal, according to an Iraqi driver who arrived in Amman from Iraq earlier Monday (see separate story)....

On the lighter side The Jordan Times is reporting:

AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya on Monday (click here) called for creating a strict system to monitor the production and transboundary transport of hazardous waste in the Kingdom to protect public health and the environment.

The princess, president of the Royal Scientific Society, highlighted the growing global concern over the need for strict control of the movement of hazardous waste and goods, as well as for building the capacity of developing countries in the management of this type of waste.

Princess Sumaya made the remarks at a scientific day organised by the Jordanian Engineers Association (JEA) to discuss the impact of hazardous waste on the country’s environment...

Students with their principal at School 3 in the Zaatari Refugee Camp (Photo courtesy of UNICEF)

AMMAN — The end of the school term (click here) brought smiles to more than 10,000 Syrian children at the Zaatari Refugee Camp as they were awarded certificates on Monday for successfully completing the scholastic year, according to a UNICEF statement.

At a graduation ceremony in School 3, certificates were handed out by Northwest Badia Education Director Sayel Khreisheh, First Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to Jordan Ibrahim Laafia and UNICEF Deputy Representative Michele Servadei.  Sixty of the most distinguished students, aged six to 16, were recognised for their performance during the school year, the statement said.

At the event, Khreisheh noted that Jordan has opened its doors to Syrian children to ensure their future.

“In Zaatari, as well as at schools in Mafraq and across the country, we are committed to welcoming Syrian children and providing the best quality education possible.”...

The largest magnitude quakes are nearly on the same longitude.

Map (click here)

M6.9 - 96km 

SSE of Raoul Island, New Zealand

2014-06-23 19:19:16 UTC30.118°S, 177.670°W

Less than a degree difference. There has to be an underwater structure. 

Maybe not. It's just the plate. The depths don't even indicate a relationship. It is the trenches along the Pacific Plate. The plate is the only relationship between the two locations.

M7.9 - 24km SE of Little Sitkin Island, Alaska2014-06-23 20:53:09 UTC51.797°N 178.760°E depth=107.5km (66.8mi)
June 23, 2014By Brandon Mercer

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (CBS SF) — A massive 7.9 (click here) revised magnitude earthquake off Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands has triggered a regional tsunami, with reports of water already leaving some harbors including Adak Harbor, as the waves begin to come in.

California’s coastline is highlighted in the National Weather Service tsunami energy propagation map, however, no warning has been issued for the West Coast.

Seismologist David Oppenheimer stationed in Menlo Park said, “The message is simple: wait for the tsunami warning to say what’s going on, if there is a warning, NOAA will update their advisory.”

He added, “There’s report of a tsunami in Alaska, but it’s small. Had the earthquake been shallow, there could have been big waves and more displacement. NOAA is watching for tide gauges.”

With the small amount of sea floor movement, Oppenheimer was clear, “There’s nothing to be concerned about on the California coast....”

Republicans can ask "Where are the jobs?" They aren't doing a darn thing to protect the ones we have.

June 2, 2014
By John W. Miller

PITTSBURGH-- U.S. Steel Corp. (click here) said it would temporarily close plants in Texas and Pennsylvania and blamed illegally-priced imports, raising the volume on trade disputes with China and South Korea.

The steelmaker said Monday it would indefinitely idle plants in Bellville, Texas, and McKeesport, Pa., that make steel pipe and tube for the oil and gas industries, affecting 260 workers.

TMK Ipsco, which is among the largest U.S. producers of such lucrative tubular steel, is considering similar production cutbacks as well.

The U.S. Steel closures require 60 days advance notice under federal law so are scheduled for early August. That is also when a final decision is expected from U.S. trade officials on whether to impose tariffs on steel from South Korea, whose steel exports to the U.S. increased 73% in the first four months of this year from a year earlier....

The FBI did it again. First it was drug dealers across the country, now it is sex trafficking. Well done.

June 23, 2014

LITTLE ROCK, AR (News release) - During the past week, (click here) the FBI, its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners throughout the United States conducted Operation Cross Country 8 to address commercial child sex trafficking. 

The operation included enforcement actions in seven cities throughout the state of Arkansas and led to the recovery of two juveniles who were being victimized through prostitution and led to the arrest of six pimps. Additionally, 36 adult prostitutes were arrested in these efforts to rescue victims of child exploitation and/or human trafficking.

“Child prostitution and human trafficking exists in Arkansas as it does across our country,” said David Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Arkansas. “Sex trafficking of children offends our most basic instincts and strikes at our fundamental responsibility to protect our most innocent from the most despicable. We at the FBI are proud of the work our partners across Arkansas perform each day to protect our children. We appreciate their efforts with us on Operation Cross Country 8. This fight continues and we ask that all Arkansans join us and immediately report information about victims and human trafficking by calling 1-800-CALL FBI (1-800-225-5324).”...

10/30/2011 (click here)

What I wonder about is of those not reported, how many were actually sold by their families to sex traffickers?

FBI: 168 kids rescued, 281 pimps nabbed in sex trafficking crackdown (click here)

Nearly 170 victims of child sex trafficking, many of whom had never been reported missing, were rescued in the last week as part of an annual nationwide crackdown, the FBI said Monday.

Besides the 168 children rescued from the sex trade, 281 pimps were arrested during the same period on state and federal charges.

"These are not faraway kids in faraway lands," FBI Director James Comey said in announcing the annual enforcement push known as Operation Cross Country. Instead, he added, "These are America's children."

This is the eighth such week long-operation, which this year unfolded in 106 cities. The FBI says nearly 3,600 children have so far been recovered from the streets.

"There is no more meaningful work that the FBI participates in than rescuing children," Comey said.

He said one concerning trend is the increasing prevalence of children who are being prostituted online....

Jindal's Anit-American ranting is about waking up the base.

By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune 
May 13, 2014 at 9:17 PM, updated May 14, 2014 at 1:07 PM

WASHINGTON -- A new poll gives (click here) Gov. Bobby Jindala positive job performance rating by 48 percent of Louisiana voters, up 11 percent from one year ago.

The Southern Media & Opinion Research Inc. poll, released Tuesday, also shows Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu tied at 28.9 percent in a poll of candidates and possible candidates for the 2015 Louisiana's governor's race.

Vitter, now in his second term as Louisiana's junior senator, has already announced that he'll run. Landrieu, who was elected to a second term as mayor Feb. 1, with 64 percent of the vote, said during a mayoral debate that he would serve the entire four-year term if re-elected. But he wouldn't be the first candidate to reconsider a run for higher office after a re-election victory....

His approval rating in February was 35 percent. The Rebel Cry is the only means the Republicans have to achieve popularity. The sad truth is the base they wake up and the popularity they rant do want a violent revolution in the country. They do want to kill other Americans.

2.25.14 (click here)

What other news organization would be carry this trash, but, FOX? 

Published June 22, 2014

Associated Press

WASHINGTON –  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (click here) on Saturday night accused President Barack Obama and other Democrats of waging wars against religious liberty and education and said that a rebellion is brewing in the U.S. with people ready for "a hostile takeover" of the nation's capital....

What would happen if a governor of any state started a violent rebellion in his state? The closest the USA ever came to fighting a state's uprising occurred in Utah.

The Utah War, (click here) also known as the Utah Expedition, Utah Campaign, Buchanan's Blunder, the Mormon War, or the Mormon Rebellion was an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers in the Utah Territory and the armed forces of the United States government. The confrontation lasted from May 1857–July 1858. There were some casualties, mostly non-Mormon civilians, and the war had few notable battles, generally being resolved through negotiation.

There was never a shot fired.

The difference between then and now is we know the right wing extremists mean it and have demonstrated their strategy and willingness to kill other Americans. 

This is unsustainable debt.

Every hour taxpayers in the United States are paying $365,297 for Cost of War in Iraq Since 2003. (click here)

If there was a single word describing The "W" years it is hubris. He not only lied about the invasion into Iraq and it's promise to stabilize the region, but, he also cut taxes and increased spending astronomically. If the USA was to have a credit rating change it should have occurred as soon as the agencies realized how completely out of control the country had become.

But, all the unregulated and undisciplined Wall Street wanted to do was to ride whatever bubble presented itself.

"Dream On"

Where does any journalist get the idea the USA is returning to a country undefined by ability to support their own military?

The USA entered Iraq illegally to carry out an immoral oil war on March 19, 2003. We weren't invited to fight for an established democracy. "W" then went about PRETENDING he could establish a democracy and a Iraq military. It was the biggest joke going. He was hubris. Pure unadulterated hubris.

Where does this idea come from that states, "Oh, no, they ain't doin' so good and the USA has to back." That is not the deal. It was never the deal.

The reason Baghdad is still standing is because the USA built six barrier walls around that city. THAT WAS A CLUE as to what was coming.

Understand these words. 

"Bush lied. He lied alot. When Bush lied people died."

"We don't belong in Iraq."

"We never did."

And now there is proof.

June 22, 2014
By Peter Baker

...But as 2011 opened, (click here) the war had quieted down. After a troop increase ordered by Mr. Bush, a strategy shift by Gen. David H. Petraeus and a change of sides by Sunni militias, Mr. Maliki’s government seemed in a strong position. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the commander on the ground, developed proposals for keeping as many as 24,000 troops in Iraq after 2011, only to run into instant resistance.“The White House looks at the 20,000 number and was like, you’ve got to be kidding,” Mr. Kahl recalled. “This looks like a permanent Korea-style presence in Iraq, which nobody supported.” Mr. Obama’s appointees concluded that the military was trying to still do everything it was doing before, just with fewer troops, rather than changing the mission to reflect a more reduced role. At a meeting in the White House Situation Room, Robert M. Gates, then the defense secretary, made clear that was not acceptable....          

Totalitarianism

Get used to seeing this throughout the world. Russia is spreading totalitarianism in regions of turmoil. The best reaction to such oppression in the world is to send humanitarian aide and be sure those imprisoned have their health attended to by medical professionals. Imprisoned populations will grow with Russia promising what it has to in support of such regimes.

Take to Russia. The USA isn't looking for a global war with repressive governments.

Patrick Kingsley in Cairo
23 June 2014

Egypt's judiciary (click here) has dealt a shocking blow to the principle of free speech after three journalists for Al-Jazeera English were sentenced to between seven and 10 years in jail on charges of aiding terrorists and endangering national security.

The former BBC correspondent Peter Greste, from Australia, the ex-CNN journalist Mohamed Fahmy, and local producer Baher Mohamed were jailed for seven, seven and 10 years respectively. Four students and activists indicted in the case were sentenced to seven years.

The judge also handed 10-year sentences to the British journalists Sue Turton and Dominic Kane and the Dutch journalist Rena Netjes, who were not in Egypt but were tried in absentia.

The courtroom packed with journalists, diplomats and relatives erupted at the verdict which came despite what independent observers said was a complete lack of evidence.

Shouting from the defendants' cage as he was led away, Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian citizen, said: "They'll pay for this." Greste's reaction could not be heard, but the faces of his two younger brothers – both present in court – were grim....

Iraq is a lesson to the USA. There is no way of INSTILLING democracy and freedom in a country. Democracy is developed over time. Nation building is a completely bizarre idea.

The concept of nation building is hubris.

The Iraqi Army didn't learn a thing.

I happen to agree, the USA is meddling where it doesn't belong. How is it every time fighting somewhere in the world breaks out the USA and Russia stick their noses in it. Without fail. China never enters the military fray, it simply sends it's economic team to set up trade relations in the face of war.

After spending billions upon billions on training an national army for Iraq, this technique is nonsense. No USA soldier would stand in full exposure of their bodies to any enemy fire. No wonder the Iraqi units are going down like dominos. The USA is not to spend another dime on this. 

Iraq was never a sovereign country following the fall of Saddam Hussein. The country is divided into religious regions. It has been divided into religious regions since the beginning of time. Saddam oppressed the Kurds and Shia regions of the country with WMD and building mass graves. Once he was gone from power the country simply returned to it's ancient status.

Leave them alone. It will be what it will be.

June 23, 2014
By Kamal Namaa

ANBAR Iraq (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader (click here) accused the United States on Sunday of trying to retake control of Iraq by exploiting sectarian rivalries, as Sunni insurgents drove towards Baghdad from new strongholds along the Syrian border.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's condemnation of U.S. action came three days after President Barak Obama offered to send 300 military advisers to help the Iraqi government. Khamenei may want to block any U.S. choice of a new prime minister after grumbling in Washington about Shi'ite premier Nuri al-Maliki....

Ever since Russia began it's war on the Ukraine, it has returned to the old world paradigm.

2012 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor (click here)

In 2012, the Federation of Russia made a minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The Government approved a National Children’s Strategy until 2017 that covers issues such as child protection and access to quality education, and contains a listing of responsible agencies and timelines for its implementation. Russian law, however, still lacks provisions that criminalize the possession of child pornography. Russia also continues to lack a mechanism to coordinate nationwide efforts to combat the worst forms of child labor. Children in Russia continue to be found in the worst forms of child labor, including in work on the streets and in commercial sexual exploitation, and many of these children are victims of human trafficking.

When Russia becomes a place where children are safe it can start to offer residency to those abandoned by parents. USA does not permit child labor. Even the children of illegal immigrants are required to attend public school.

By Kateryna Choursina and Daria Marchak
June 22, 2014

...Putin said (click here) that while he supports the week-long truce that President Petro Poroshenko announced on June 20, the move shouldn’t be an ultimatum to militia groups and won’t be “viable or realistic” without “constructive steps” to start negotiations with rebel leaders  in southeast regions.

In regard to any child death in the Ukraine, Russia has the power to decent on the violence by the insurgents in Eastern Ukraine. Russia has not endorsed the current cease fire Ukraine has entered unilaterally. Russia has called for the insurgents to remain as a unified force.

That is double talk by Russia. It give permission to ignore the ceasefire. There was no ultimatum called by the Ukraine. Ukraine declared a unilateral ceasefire in order for the area to cool down, but, there was no ultimatum made by the Ukraine.

MOSCOW, June 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s Children’s Rights Ombudsman Pavel (click here) Astakhov said Friday at least five children had lost their lives as a result of the extensive military operation in eastern Ukraine.

“We know about five confirmed cases of children being killed [in the military operation] in the southeast of Ukraine. But there are probably more. All of them are casualties of Ukraine’s aggression and inhumane policies,” the rights activist wrote Friday on his Instagram page.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported in early June that seven children had been injured in clashes in eastern Ukraine since May 9. The watchdog organization said the crisis was having an increasing impact on children and urged all parties to stop the violence.

Astakhov has said Russian orphanages are ready to accommodate children trapped in war zones in Ukraine.

Since mid-April, Kiev authorities have been conducting a special military operation in the east of Ukraine to suppress the pro-independence movement. The violence intensified after the people’s republics of Luhansk and Donetsk declared their independence from Ukraine after holding referendums on self-determination. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have died in both regions over the past months.

"I was the youngest...I was the oldest...:

This is a bit of a primer to what sincerely is the status in the USA.

He has an addiction there is no cure for and that is the addiction to power. I am sure the taste is rather sweet, but, in Cheney's hands it spells death. There IS no such thing as a war on terror. The Mideast is a frustrating place unless one TRYS to understand it.

I did see this special on Mr. Cheney when it aired on Showtime. Maybe I was one of the few, but, it validated everything I have thought about his focus and very lengthy career. Sometimes I think those that make it into elected office believe it is possible to have a lifelong career, but, this is a democracy where power changes hands regularly under the US Constitution.

December 19, 2013

Dubai: Two Al Qaida supporters (click here) in Qatar and Yemen have been added to the US Treasury Department list of terrorists.

Abdul Rahman Bin Umair Al Nuaimi, 59, and Abdul Wahab Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Humaiqani, 41, were designated global terrorists for allegedly being “at the centre of global support networks that fund and facilitate terrorism.”

“Al Nuaimi was designated for providing financial support to Al Qaida, Asbat Al Ansar, Al Qaida in Iraq, and Al Shabab, and Al Humaiqani was designated for providing financial support to and acting on behalf of Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP),” the Treasury said in a statement released on Wednesday in Washington.

“Al Nuaimi is a Qatar-based terrorist financier and facilitator who has provided money and material support and conveyed communications to Al Qaida and its affiliates in Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen for more than a decade. He was considered among the most prominent Qatar-based supporters of Iraqi Sunni extremists,” the statement said...

While The West has a sincere objection to this type of generosity, it is cultural dating back centuries. Within the Muslim faith there is an understanding of 'need' vs 'greed.' It is understood the talented often find themselves with exceptional wealth. It is also understood through their morality wealth has a responsibility to others. Where that form of generosity draws fire from The West is illustrated with Abdul Rahman bin Umair al Nuaimi and Abdul Wahab Mohammad Abdul Rahman al Humaigani. 

December 16th of 2013 is not that long ago, haven't these men heard of "The War on Terror?" Don't they have reverence for life and don't they know the people receiving those monies will kill others?

Yes, they do know. They don't worry about it because that is not their responsibility. Their responsibility is defending the faith. No, they are not running terrorist networks nor are they interested in running terrorist networks. But, they do recognize someone coming to them deeply worried about the faith and honoring Allah. 

Takbīr is an Arabic phrase otherwise stated as Allāhu Akbar.  It is usually translated as "God is [the] greatest," or "God is great".  It is a common Islamic Arabic expression, used in various contexts by Muslims; in formal prayer, in the call for prayer, as an informal expression of faith, in times of distress, to express celebration or victory, or to express resolute determination or defiance.

It is safe to say this is an expression that takes on many definitions, but, it is similar to a short prayer.

Jihad is part of the faith. It is a legitimate word in the Quran. 

Each of the 164 Jihad verses (click here) in this list was selected based on how clearly and directly it spoke about Jihad, at least when considered in its immediate context. Most of the listed passages mention a military expedition, fighting, or distributing war spoils....

Unless there is a second coming of Mohammad it is a safe bet the word Jihad it not going to disappear from the Quran. And the Quran is not like Hebrew text where by Rabbis write commentary about modern ideas and applying them to Jewish life or as in Midrash which assists in explaining the text of the documents. The Quran to my knowledge is set in stone. Not very different than Christian text whereby the only change in belief/culture of the teachings in the Bible is through a Roman Catholic Pope or a convening of a council such as Vatican 2. As a side note I have been wondering if Pope Francis ever contemplated another ecumenical council. 

But, the point here is Jihad is a valid word in the Quran. It isn't going to disappear simply because The West wishes it so. The entire definition of "The War on Terror" depends on the definition of Jihad. The war of and on the individual. If there was ever such a thing as The War on Terror it would be a permanent aggression by The West of the Middle East Arab nations. It would never relent. 

The best way I can think of to illustrate this is with John Walker Lindh. He was in the right place at the wrong time. He didn't go to Pakistan and ultimately Afghanistan to kill Americans, however, he did to for the practice of Jihad. It was a spiritual journey for him. Unfortunately, when he met bin Laden in a meeting little did he realize there were attacks planned against the USA using passenger jets. He was in Afghanistan for his own reasons, not to wage Jihad against The West.

John Walker Lindh is not that unusual. There are many young men of the Muslim faith that seek their spirituality through such missions as Jihad. This isn't really a war on terror because The West finds killing an abhorrance in the manner of a suicide bomber. It is a war on extremists that carry out Jihad as it is asked of him in defense of their faith. 

At one time within the Israel-Palestine conflict it was known the families of suicide bombers have received substantial financial support after the death of their son in his devotion to his faith. That is all part of the generosity of the faith and not simply a pay off. It is more spiritual than that. 

The USA has to close the door of citizenship behind citizens that leave the country to fight Jihad in a foreign nation. The USA has to stay out of countries where it has aggressively killed indiscriminately for the sake of faux priorities. If the USA were to deploy again into Iraq it might be the forces on the ground would simply focus on destroying us and not each other. It is over for the USA in the Middle East. Support allies such as Jordan and Israel. 

So, close. So, very, very close. (click here)

In 105 degree heat.

Iraq can wait until later. No one is rolling out the welcome sign for the USA. It's all good.