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Obama Administration Fails Attempt To Manipulate MSM And FOX News
Friday, October 23, 2009
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* FOXNews.com brings us the following report today and it starts off like this...The Obama administration on Thursday failed in its attempt to manipulate other news networks into isolating and excluding Fox News, as Republicans on Capitol Hill stepped up their criticism of the hardball tactics employed by the White House... The Obama administration on Thursday tried to make "pay czar" Kenneth Feinberg available for interviews to every member of the White House pool except Fox News. The pool is the five-network rotation that for decades has shared the costs and duties of daily coverage of the presidency... But the Washington bureau chiefs of the five TV networks consulted and decided that none of their reporters would interview Feinberg unless Fox News was included... The administration relented, making Feinberg available for all five pool members and Bloomberg TV... The pushback came after White House senior adviser David Axelrod told ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday that Fox News is not a real news organization and other news networks "ought not to treat them that way."... Media analysts cheered the decision to boycott the Feinberg interview unless Fox News was included, saying the administration's gambit was taking its feud with Fox News too far. President Obama has already declined to go on "Fox News Sunday," even while appearing on the other Sunday shows...
Former Vice President Dick Cheney: “We cannot protect this country by putting politics over security and turning the guns on our own guys” Post date: Thursday, October 22, 2009 . * FOXNews.com brings us the following report and it starts off like this...Former Vice President Dick Cheney returned fire on the Obama administration Wednesday over an allegation that the Bush White House did not ask any key questions about the war in Afghanistan, forcing Obama officials to form a strategy from scratch and leaving the war "adrift."... Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday that the Bush administration had developed a new strategy on the war in Afghanistan before leaving office -- a strategy that he said "bears a striking resemblance" to the one announced by President Obama in March... In a speech to the Center for Security Policy, Cheney said the Bush administration handed Obama's transition team a policy review of the Afghan war conducted last fall to meet the new challenges posed by the Taliban... "They asked us not to announce our findings publicly, and we agreed, giving them the benefit of our work and the benefit of the doubt," Cheney said... Cheney's comments countered a recent claim by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel that the Obama administration had to form an Afghan war strategy from scratch because the Bush administration hadn't asked any key questions about the war and left it "adrift."... Read the full report at link below... Cheney: Obama's Afghan War Strategy 'Bears Striking Resemblance' to Bush's ... ............................................................ . Dick Cheney: Obama "Putting Politics Over Security"
About this video: On Wednesday night, October 21st, former Vice President Dick Cheney received the Center's Keeper of the Flame Award. He was introduced by Senator Jon Kyl and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Read his prepared remarks in full HERE This video posted on YouTube by securefreedom . ..................................... . Thank you for your past service... and your continuing efforts to stand up for this great country of ours, Mr. Cheney. In my opinion... your speech last night was spot-on! AubreyJ......... . Past White House file photo by David Bohrer
....................................................... . * Karl Rove has the following article posted up on The Wall Street Journal website today and it starts off like this...In an interview with CNN's John King on Sunday, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said President Obama is now asking tough questions about Afghanistan "that have never been asked on the civilian side, the political side, the military side and the strategic side." It was a not so subtle dig at Mr. Obama's predecessor and was meant to distract from the White House's mishandling of the war... The Bush administration did in fact conduct a top-to-bottom strategic review of Afghanistan in 2008. That review was provoked by two developments... Read Mr. Rove’s article in full at link below... Obama Goes Wobbly on Afghanistan . ..................................... . Updated Friday, October 23, 2009 . * CSMonitor.com brings us the following article early this Friday afternoon and it starts off like this...Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, disagrees with former Vice President Dick Cheney’s charge earlier this week that President Obama is “dithering” over the path forward in Afghanistan... “Dithering is probably not the right description, but I think that the policy they are currently adopting is a reckless policy and that is a policy of wait and see,” Representative Price told a Monitor-sponsored breakfast for reporters on Friday... Read the rest at link below... Obama’s Afghanistan policy isn’t ‘dithering.’ It’s ‘reckless.’ .
* Photo for the Day *The Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team talks with the Afghan National Police about the village security and pay issues of their workers while assessing the construction of a road in the Nangaresh Village, October 18th. The PRT routinely visits local villages in order to promote governance and help rebuild the community. Photo by Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins - Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
No. 825-09 October 22, 2009 DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Kyle A. Coumas, 22, of Lockeford, Calif., died October 21st in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. For more information media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152 or (253) 967-0147.
. U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
Israel: On Ground Updates Joint Two-Week U.S., Israeli Maneuvers, (Dubbed Juniper Cobra), Kicked Off Today Wednesday, October 21, 2009 . About above photo: Exercise intended to improve the coordination and cooperation between the two armies Photo by IDF Spokesperson . US Army and IDF Begin Joint Air Defense Exercise Original IDF post date: October 20, 2009 .
A joint exercise between the IDF and U.S. Army, called Juniper Cobra 10, will be held this year for the fifth time and will be the largest of its kind ever conducted in Israel. . Tomorrow will begin a joint exercise between the IDF and the United States Army, called Juniper Cobra 10, intended to improve the coordination and cooperation between the two armies with the focus on air defense. . The exercise, which is held every two years, is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Israel and is based on a long-term cooperation agreement between the armies. It will be held this year for its fifth time. . Over a thousand staff members of the US Military's European Command (EUCOM) will take part in the exercise, as well as a similar number of officers and soldiers serving in the IDF. This is an important opportunity for both armies in mutual learning and to improve their integrated operation capabilities. . During the exercise, a limited number of U.S. troops will be temporarily positioned near populated areas and will be leaving Israel at the end of the exercise.
Above article by IDF – Israel Defense Forces . .........................................................................
. * Reuters.com has the following report...Israel and the United States launched a major air defense drill Wednesday as part of what Israeli public radio called preparation for a faceoff with Iran... During the two-week maneuvers, dubbed Juniper Cobra, some 1,000 American personnel will mesh ground- and ship-based missile interceptors like the Aegis, THAAD and Patriot with Israel's Arrow II ballistic shield, defense officials said... Spokesmen on both sides insisted the biennial drill was unrelated to world events, but Israel Radio quoted an unnamed commander as saying it served “to prepare for a nuclear Iran”... Read the rest at link below... Eyeing Iran, Israel tests missile defenses with U.S.
* Photo for the Day *U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Taylor, with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides security for a helicopter carrying Brig. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie on Forward Operating Base Cherokee in the Helmand province of Afghanistan Oct. 15, 2009. McKenzie, deputy to Dutch navy Rear Adm. Matthieu Borsboom, the deputy chief of staff for stability, International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan, is leaving the base after visiting with the unit’s Marines. The Marines are assigned to one of the combat elements of Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Sgt. Freddy G. Cantu, U.S. Marine Corps
No. 822-09 October 21, 2009 DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced todaythe death of a soldierwho was supportingOperation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Bradley Espinoza, 26, of Mission, Texas, died October 19th in Qwest, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. For more information the media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.
No. 821-09 October 21, 2009 DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. David R. Baker, 22, of Painesville, Ohio, died October 20th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. For additional background information about this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at (760) 725-8766.
. U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan . * Pakistan’s Mother Of All Battles * -Post 2 - Day 3- Battle Continues With 30,000 Troops Deployed During- Operation Rah-e-Nijat Post Date: Monday, October 19, 2009 . In the last 24 hours, the Pakistan Military is reporting that at least 18 terrorists have been killed in the latest round of Operation Rah-e-Nijat [which means ‘Path to Deliverance’... I’ve also seen it translated as meaning ‘Way to Good Riddance’]. Pakistan had two soldiers killed, 12 injured in the same time period. . In Short -- The Battle continues, none abated, throughout South Waziristan... Here are a few of the latest news reports out of Pakistan today... . .................................................. . Daily ISPR Update Rawalpindi - October 19, 2009: .
1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijat In last 24 hours, reportedly, 18 terrorists have been killed during Security forces operation in SWA. Security forces losses are two soldiers shaheed and twelve injured. Details of operations are as follows: a. On Jandola – Sararogha Axis (1) Security forces have made an envelopment maneuvers around town of Kotkai. Troops have reached Kaskai feature, which is north of Kund, and west of Kotkai. Forces have also secured Tor Ghundai feature (east of Kotkai) and Shishwarm (north-east of Kotkai), overlooking town of Kotkai. (Kotkai is home town of Qari Hussain, known as Mentor of suicide bombers). (2) 2 ammunition cache sites have been blown along with 1 x 14.5 mm and 1 x 12.7 mm gun positions at Spin Ghara. b. On Shakai-Ladha Axis (1) Positions are being consolidated after securing Sherwangi. Perimeter of security is being enhanced around Wuzi Sar and Boya Narai. Stiff resistance was faced by security forces in Sherwangi. After heavy fighting, number of terrorists were killed and their positions captured. One post of 12.7 mm Anti Aircraft gun was vacated by terrorists without fighting. (2) Security forces are consolidating their positions in the south and south west of Razmak. Rocket fire is being received from the direction of Makeen, resultantly 1 soldier was injured. (3) Arms and ammunition dumps made in the caves between Ladha and Makeen have been destroyed by precision air targeting. (4) Terrorists fired rocket at Shakai Fort. No loss. . 2. Swat- Malakand - Operation Rah-e-Rast a. Security forces during search operation found and demolished a disused terrorists training camp at Jamalasar, near Bartana and arrested 15 suspects. b. 11 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Miandam, Chuprial, Shangla, Kabal and Manglour. c. Security forces conducted search operation at terrorists commander Farman’s House at Shakardarra and neutralized 4 IEDs and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.
Taken from Press Release #428/2009-ISPR - Daily ISPRUpdate . ..............................................
* WSJ.com brings us the follow report this Monday afternoon and it starts off like this... Pakistani forces closed in on the hometown of the Pakistan Taliban's leader Monday as top U.S. officials met the country's leaders in a bid to ease concerns over conditions attached to a $7.5 billion American aid package... Refugees continued to stream out of the South Waziristan tribal region as a long-awaited offensive there entered its third day. The invasion is aimed at dismantling a Taliban mini-state in the area that has become a magnet for jihadis from around the region and a base for al Qaeda. U.S. officials have said they are providing surveillance and intelligence feeds to aid the Pakistani effort... Since the start of the operation before dawn Saturday, the army has killed 78 militants and lost nine soldiers, said the spokesman for Pakistan's military, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas... Read the rest at link below... Pakistan Offensive Enters Third Day . *Bloomberg.com reports today’s news out of Pakistan this way...Pakistan’s army said it was targeting the hometown of the architect of the Taliban’s suicide bombing campaign as it presses an offensive against up to 10,000 militants... Soldiers have advanced up to 15 kilometers (9 miles) into the mountainous area, where militant leaders remain, army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said. The town of Kotkai, home to Taliban commander Qari Hussain, who Pakistani officials say heads the militants’ suicide-bomb operations, has been “enveloped,” Abbas said in Islamabad. Guerrillas “have taken positions on mountains,” said Abbas. “It is somewhere between a conventional and an unconventional operation.”... Read this report in full at link below... Pakistan Army Targets Hometown of Taliban Suicide-Bomb Trainer . * BBC.co.uk had the following report up on their website earlier today and it starts off like this... The Pakistani army has said it has pushed deeper into South Waziristan as it battles to wrestle control of the region from the Taliban and al-Qaeda... On the offensive's third day, the army said it had captured important strategic heights in the mountains... Read this report in full at link below... Pakistan 'push into Taliban area' . * CSMonitor.com brings us this report... Gen. Petraeus and Sen. Kerry met Pakistani leaders Monday as Pakistan launches a massive offensive against the Taliban's base in South Waziristan... As the Pakistani Army continues its massive offensive against the Taliban's base in South Waziristan, top US officials including CENTCOM chief David Petraeus and Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts, are meeting with military and civilian leaders here. While the Army's action is in line with US encouragement to rout out the militants, key differences appear to remain between the US and Pakistan on how to tackle the insurgency... Read the full report at link below... US, Pakistan agree to disagree on Waziristan offensive . *MSNBC has this GREAT read on their website today and it starts off like this... The negotiations took weeks. The tribal council was called to try to convince Hafiz Gul Bahadar, the 42-year-old militant commander of North Waziristan, not to send his fighters to support the Taliban militants in the south... Elusive and cunning, Gul Bahadar would be a key government ally in any effort to dislodge Taliban militants from the region. The army needed the consent of this bearded, religious scholar before taking on the Mehsuds, a neighboring, but rival tribe, who are loyal Taliban supporters. Without him, there could be no hope of a military success in routing out the militants... Read this report in full at link below... Tribal Deals Open Doors For Pakistan Army .............................................. . Displaced Register As Pakistan Fights Taliban
About this News Video: Hundreds registered as displaced on Monday, after fleeing their homes because of fighting in South Waziristan. A Pakistan army spokesman said troops were fighting on three fronts in the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold.(Originally posted Oct. 19, 2009) This video posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress . ............................................................ . POST UPDATE: Tuesday evening - 8:00pm CDT October 20, 2009 . Daily ISPR Update Rawalpindi - October 20, 2009:.
1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijat In last 24 hours, reportedly, 12 terrorists have been killed during Security forces operation in SWA. Security forces losses are 4 soldiers embraced shahadat and 3 were injured. . Details of operations are as follows: a. On Jandola – Sararogha Axis (1) Security forces are consolidating their positions and extending perimeter of security around Kaskai and Shisanwam. Terrorists from surrounding heights are engaging security forces with rockets and small arms. Fire fight is continuing. As a result, 4 soldiers embraced Shahadat and 3 were injured. (2) Security forces recovered 21 mortar bombs, 22 grenades during clearance operation at Spinkai and Nazarkhel. (3) Security forces recovered 1 RPG - 7 and material used for preparation of suicidal jackets during clearance operation at Tarakai Ridge. (4) Security forces recovered 1x 12.7 heavy machine gun along with 100 rounds during clearance operation at Sagarzai. (5) Security forces recovered 1 x 14.5 heavy machine gun along with 500 rounds during clearance operation at Spin Ghara. (6) Security forces destroyed 3 vehicles used by terrorists and recovered 2 x 12.7 with 38 rounds, 1 x 75 mm RR, 10 x 107 mm SBRL rockets, 27 x 82 mm mortar bombs, 100 rifle rounds at Kund. 12 terrorists were killed in the process. (7) Security forces recovered 4 RPG - 7 rockets, 4 x 107 mm SBRL rockets, 900 machine gun rounds and 11 IEDs at Kalkalle village. b. On Shakai - Ladha Axis (1) Security forces are consolidating their positions at Sherwangi and perimeter of security is being extended. The important heights surrounding Sherwangi have been secured and terrorists have vacated their positions leaving behind arms and ammunition. (2) On this axis the village of Khasura which was by passed earlier on 18th October is now being cleared. Terrorists had planted a number of IEDs and mines along the main route which are being cleared. . 2. Malakand - Operation Rah-e-Rast a. 8 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Bar Shaur, Chuprial, Devlolai and Shadhand Banda. b. Security forces conducted search operation at Salhand and Devolai and apprehended 3 suspects. . 3. Relief Activities - DI Khan and Tank Since 13 October 2009, 4477 families have been registered at six IDP camps in district Dera Ismail Khan and district Tank. 5 x IDP camps have been established in Nairela, Runhpur, Sheikh Yousaf, Mufti Mehmood and Muryali in district Dera Ismail Khan, while an IDP camp has been established at Tank. 11,080 families which were registered at D I Khan and Tank before 13 October 2009:- a. Before start of operation on 17 October, 11080 families (80,000 individuals) were registered at D I Khan and Tank IDP Camps. b. Since start of operation 4477 families (41289 individuals) have been registered in IDP Camps at D I Khan and Tank.
Taken from Press Release #430/2009-ISPR – Daily ISPR Update . .................................................. . About above photo: Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) United Kingdom (UK); called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid at Joint Staff Headquarters on Tuesday. (10-20-2009) Photo by ISPR
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) United Kingdom (UK); called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Tariq Majid at Joint Staff Headquarters and shared views on bilateral defense cooperation and regional security situation with special emphasis on situation in Afghanistan as well as ongoing operations in South Waziristan Agency (SWA). . Appreciating the efforts and contributions made by UK in Afghanistan, Chairman JCSC stressed on the need to effectively seal the border on Afghan side to prevent cross border movement and flow of weapons, synchronization of effort on both sides and sharing of real time intelligence with reference to the ongoing operations in SWA. . Expressing solidarity and full support for Pakistan, the visiting dignitary stressed on the need for Pakistan to remain cognizant of the possibility of negative fallout of current operations on Balochistan. Taken from Press Release #431/2009-ISPR – Daily ISPR Update
