The ISIS offensive in Iraq

[The Human Q-Tip]

After the "understanding" with Iran was reached, the Administration issued a "fact sheet" that stated sanctions would be lifted only after Iranian compliance was verified. Link to the official State Department release is at the WP link below.

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/world/parameters-of-plan-on-iran-nuclear-program/1507/

The Iranians came out almost immediately and said that it was a lie. Specifically, they said there was no understanding that sanctions would only be lifted after verified compliance, but rather that Iran was insisting that sanctions be limited immediately upon the signing of a deal.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/09/politics/iran-nuclear-bill/index.html

Which raises the issue of how much of an "understanding" there really was. So then, Senator McCain (generally don't like the guy, but....) then came out and accused Kerry of deliberately misrepresenting the deal.

"John Kerry must have known what was in it, and yet chose to interpret it in another way. It's probably in black and white that the ayatollah is probably right. John Kerry is delusional," McCain said on a radio talk show.

The Administration then came out and slammed McCain for believing the Iranians over Kerry and the Administration.

President Obama said Saturday that McCain's comments are "an indication of the degree to which partisanship has crossed all boundaries."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-nuclear-negotiations-whos-telling-truth/

But yesterday, the Administration basically caved, and said that whether or not sanctions will be lifted immediately upon the signing of an agreement not a hard and fast U.S. position, and is something that is to be negotiated. Seems pretty clear that the "understanding" has now become that sanctions will be lifted immediately upon the signing of a deal, but that we'll negotiate the right to reimpose them immediately if Iran doesn't comply. Which, of course, is a right we always had anyway.

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-surpris...vbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNjE5XzEEc2VjA3Nj

McCain's language was over the top -- the Iranian view wasn't in black or white -- , but in essence, he was correct that the Administration was not being completely honest about the nature of the "understanding."

This is a really terrible development, though, because it essentially shifts the burden of proof for compliance, and gives Iran the ability to whipsaw us back and forth. They'll drag their feet, argue, complain, and then if necessary, relent just enough right before sanctions are to be reimposed. Then start the whole thing over again.

 

[Jordan]

@The Human Q-Tip sorry for the delay. The main reason for it is my life has taken a weird turn the past week and I've been really busy lately. Right now, I'm not sure I can respond to your point without a re-hash of the entire debate and/or making bad arguments. I think the clear differences, in our views, are the impact of sanctions and whether or not to trust the Iranian people. I disagree with your viewpoints, but not to the degree that I feel you are wrong. I look forward to many debates, like this one, that improve our understanding of the issues.

 

[macbdog]

Paris extremist's misfire thwarts imminent attack on church

AP LORI HINNANT 1 hour 49 minutes ago
PARIS (AP) — An Islamic extremist with an arsenal of loaded guns was only prevented from opening fire on churchgoers because he accidentally shot himself in the leg, French officials said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old computer science student, who was also suspected in the death of a young woman whose body was found on Sunday just ahead of his arrest, had been flagged as a risk last year and earlier this year for intent to travel to Syria but there had been no specific reason to open a judicial investigation, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Wednesday.

A French security official, who was not authorized to publicly release details, said the suspect — an Algerian who had lived in France for several years — was arrested in Paris Sunday after he apparently shot himself by accident and called for an ambulance. He was waiting outside for first aid when police arrived at the scene. They discovered a blood trail leading to his car, which contained loaded guns and notes about potential targets.

"Documents were also found and they prove, without any ambiguity, that the individual was preparing an imminent attack, in all probability, against one or two churches," Cazeneuve said.

In the man's apartment, in southeastern Paris, more weapons were found as well as Islamic extremist material, the official said. There was no immediate evidence that the suspect had direct ties to any organized groups, the official said.

Aurelie Chatelain, a 32-year-old Frenchwoman visiting Paris for a training session for her work, was found shot to death on Sunday morning in her car. The security official said Chatelain appeared to have been killed at random and ballistics evidence linked her death to the suspect.

The man was treated for a leg wound and remained hospitalized on Wednesday.

An attack on a church would mark a new type of target in France, where Jewish sites have been under increased protection since both the 2012 attack on a Jewish school and the killings at the kosher supermarket. But extremists have targeted Christians in the Middle East, most recently on Sunday when a video showed Islamic State militants in Libya killing groups of captive Ethiopian Christians and another released in February showing the deaths of captured Egyptian Christians.

"The terrorists target France to divide us," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Wednesday after leaving a top government meeting.

France has been on edge since the Jan. 7-9 attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket left 20 people dead, including the three gunmen. In that case, at least two of the gunmen had been flagged to French intelligence — and the third had been recently released from prison after serving a sentence involving his ties to Islamic extremists — but surveillance was called off months before the attack.

 

[Sebastian]

Paris extremist's misfire thwarts imminent attack on church

AP LORI HINNANT 1 hour 49 minutes ago
PARIS (AP) — An Islamic extremist with an arsenal of loaded guns was only prevented from opening fire on churchgoers because he accidentally shot himself in the leg, French officials said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old computer science student, who was also suspected in the death of a young woman whose body was found on Sunday just ahead of his arrest, had been flagged as a risk last year and earlier this year for intent to travel to Syria but there had been no specific reason to open a judicial investigation, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Wednesday.

A French security official, who was not authorized to publicly release details, said the suspect — an Algerian who had lived in France for several years — was arrested in Paris Sunday after he apparently shot himself by accident and called for an ambulance. He was waiting outside for first aid when police arrived at the scene. They discovered a blood trail leading to his car, which contained loaded guns and notes about potential targets.

"Documents were also found and they prove, without any ambiguity, that the individual was preparing an imminent attack, in all probability, against one or two churches," Cazeneuve said.

In the man's apartment, in southeastern Paris, more weapons were found as well as Islamic extremist material, the official said. There was no immediate evidence that the suspect had direct ties to any organized groups, the official said.

Aurelie Chatelain, a 32-year-old Frenchwoman visiting Paris for a training session for her work, was found shot to death on Sunday morning in her car. The security official said Chatelain appeared to have been killed at random and ballistics evidence linked her death to the suspect.

The man was treated for a leg wound and remained hospitalized on Wednesday.

An attack on a church would mark a new type of target in France, where Jewish sites have been under increased protection since both the 2012 attack on a Jewish school and the killings at the kosher supermarket. But extremists have targeted Christians in the Middle East, most recently on Sunday when a video showed Islamic State militants in Libya killing groups of captive Ethiopian Christians and another released in February showing the deaths of captured Egyptian Christians.

"The terrorists target France to divide us," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Wednesday after leaving a top government meeting.

France has been on edge since the Jan. 7-9 attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket left 20 people dead, including the three gunmen. In that case, at least two of the gunmen had been flagged to French intelligence — and the third had been recently released from prison after serving a sentence involving his ties to Islamic extremists — but surveillance was called off months before the attack.

What an asshat.

France is becoming like Britain during the height of the IRA conflict. Except there is no one to make peace with. A few more attacks and it will be interesting to see what France's longterm strategy will be.

 

[Maximus]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html
Former terror suspect well known to the FBI is named as one of two gunmen shot dead by cops after attack on anti-Islam 'draw Muhammad' art contest near Dallas

• Elton Simpson, 30, and his roommate Nadir Soofi, 34, were gunned down after shooting a guard in the leg outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas on Sunday evening
• Simpson was convicted of lying to federal agents about traveling to Africa five years ago - but a judge ruled it could not be proved that he was going to join a terror group
• Their Phoenix, Arizona home has been surrounded and a bomb squad is carrying out a search
• The American Freedom Defense Initiative event had offered a $10,000 prize for the best caricature of the prophet; local residents had expressed their concerns about the event but organizers said they were exercising free speech
• The security guard who was shot, Bruce Joiner, was taken to hospital in stable condition and has been released
• One traffic officer shot both men dead and has been praised by cops for potentially saving many lives
• ISIS fighter claimed on Twitter that the shooting was carried out by two pro-ISIS individuals

By WILLS ROBINSON and TED THORNHILL and LYDIA WARREN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 19:39 EST, 3 May 2015 | UPDATED: 12:53 EST, 4 May 2015


A former terror suspect has been named as one of the gunmen shot dead by police after the two attackers blasted an unarmed security guard in the ankle during an anti-Islam art contest in Texas on Sunday night.

Elton Simpson, 30, who was previously the subject of a terror investigation, and his roommate Nadir Soofi, 34, were armed with assault rifles when they were killed by a quick-thinking traffic officer after opening fire outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Dallas, at around 7pm.

The shooting unfolded as the American Freedom Defense Initiative held an event inside the building where caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad were being displayed. Followers of Islam deem that any physical depiction of the prophet - even a positive one - is blasphemous.

Simpson, identified in court papers as an American Muslim, had been convicted of lying to federal agents about his plans to travel to Somalia five years ago, but a judge ultimately ruled it could not be proved that he was heading there to join a terror group. He was placed on probation.

Soofi, named as the second gunman by the Washington Post, shared an apartment with Simpson at the Autumn Ridge complex in Phoenix.

On Monday morning, FBI agents and investigators could be seen cordoning off and searching the apartment, as well as a white van believed to belong to Simpson. Investigators are also reviewing computer records from materials found at the home.

+22
Shot dead: Elton Simpson, pictured, was one of the two gunmen who stormed an anti-Islam event on Sunday evening in Texas

+22
Killed: FBI crime scene investigators look at the bodies of the two killed gunmen outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas on Monday. Police killed the two men after they opened fire at an anti-Islam event on Sunday

+22
Destroyed: Investigators destroyed some of the belongings found inside the back of the suspects' car, pictured, as a precaution

+22

Aftermath: An FBI crime scene investigator documents the area around the two deceased gunmen and their vehicle

+22
Search: Reporters gather near the home of Elton Simpson, one of the suspected attackers, in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday morning

+22
Raid: Police tape surrounds a vehicle, believed to belong to one of the two gunmen, in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday

+22

+22

Probe: Investigators pull belongings from the back of the truck and carry items inside the complex on Monday morning

+22
ISIS supporters claimed on Twitter that one of the gunmen was a man calling himself Shariah Is Light on the social media site

Investigators also searched the car that the two gunmen drove to the scene and found luggage and further ammunition inside. Some of the belongings were destroyed as a precaution but no explosives were found inside the vehicle, Garland Police Officer Joe Harn said on Monday.

On Monday, Simpson's father said that he believes his son, who had worked in a dentist's office, 'made a bad choice'.

'We are Americans and we believe in America,' Dunston Simpson told ABC News. 'What my son did reflects very badly on my family.'

Ahead of the attack on Sunday evening, several Twitter messages were sent out, and authorities believe Simpson was behind them. The last one was shared just half an hour before the shooting.

Followers of ISIS had been calling for an attack online for more than a week after learning that the competition in Garland would feature a 'draw Muhammad' art contest, with a prize of $10,000 for the best caricature.

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After the attack, the SITE Intelligence Group reported that an Islamic State fighter claimed on Twitter that the shooting was carried out by two pro-Isis individuals.



In a series of tweets and links, a jihadist named as Abu Hussain AlBritani, which SITE said was British IS fighter Junaid Hussain, claimed that '2 of our brothers just opened fire' at the Prophet Muhammad exhibition in Texas.

'They Thought They Was Safe In Texas From The Soldiers of The Islamic State,' added the tweet.


Other ISIS supporters claimed on Twitter that one of the gunmen was a man calling himself Shariah Is Light on the social media site, using the now-suspended account name @atawaakul, according to New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi.

He had posted a message earlier that said 'the bro with me and myself have given bay'ah [oath] to Amirul Mu'mineen [ISIS leader Al Baghdadi]. May Allah accept us as mujahideen #texasattack'.

The contest was just minutes from finishing when multiple gunshots were heard.

The two suspects had pulled up in a vehicle before getting out and firing at a security officer, 57-year-old Bruce Joiner, who was employed by the independent school district. He was later taken to hospital in a stable condition and was released on Sunday evening.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...depicting-prophet-Muhammad.html#ixzz3ZCKTT3RU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Maybe they should have more of those contests to draw out any other roaches that may be lurking about.

Good riddance.

 

[Maximus]

Why are we arresting people for trying to join ISIS? Why dont we offer free airfare for anyone that wants to join? Gather them all up, fly them on a bunch of C-5's over there and let them parachute down.

They can use these parachutes...

 

[RonG]

Why are we arresting people for trying to join ISIS? Why dont we offer free airfare for anyone that wants to join? Gather them all up, fly them on a bunch of C-5's over there and let them parachute down.

They can use these parachutes...

Can We strap C-4 to their asses as well? I mean once they hit the ground they are fair game right?

 

[Man Called X]

Hmm, was a lot of talk about an ISIS attack in Texas just before Jade Helm.

And here we are.

 

[Soda]

At some point, this thread will veer towards blaming the artists/competition and/or America/Americans. It's cyclical.

 

[Maximus]

REPORT: EMP DEVICE USED TO DISABLE POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVES FOLLOWING GARLAND ATTACK
Reporters told to disable electronics by police before "electronic pulses"


by MIKAEL THALEN | INFOWARS.COM | MAY 4, 2015

692840
Several reporters at the scene of Sunday’s terror attack in Garland, Texas, stated that police used an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device when examining the suspected shooters’ vehicle for explosives.

According to NBC 5’s Kevin Cokely, an explosion sound was heard from the suspects’ vehicle shortly after the police bomb squad told media personnel to disable all electronics.


“Garland police had warned of electronic magnetic pulse…” Cokely said on Twitter.

Following the explosion sound, NBC 5’s Jocelyn Lockwood, who captured the event on film, said that police refused to comment on the sound’s origin.

A separate reporter, Fox 4’s Zahid Arab, told Twitter followers that police had warned of further “electronic pulses” after the initial explosion.

Technology experts, including the ACLU’s Christopher Soghoian, debated on social media over whether Garland police or federal agents were responsible for the device.

Police later stated that no explosives were found in the vehicle but that several suspicious items were detonated. Since the incident, no comment has been made by law enforcement on the reported EMP device.

Infowars was unable to reach the Garland Police Department’s public and media relations representative for clarification at the time of publishing.

 

[macbdog]

LOL another FALSE FLAG and even InfoWars has fallen for it. They just want you to think they would give that technology to a local police department so the public remains afraid.

 

[Sebastian]

What rank amateurs. They try a frontal assault on a heavily armed target with inadequate weaponry.

These stupid bastards wanted to be martyrs without paying the price. Any self-respecting fanatic would have driven a VBIED into the building or would have worn an explosive vest to take out security and while the other guy hit the conference. They wanted to live. Cowards.

On another note, these American Freedom Defense Initiative folks are bigoted assholes. It is disturbing to think Geller wanted something like this to happen and is willing to spill blood to prove her twisted point.

 

[Jordan]

At some point, this thread will veer towards blaming the artists/competition and/or America/Americans. It's cyclical.

I hope you are wrong. These are clearly crazy people. As @King Stannis did say, though, Geller is a crazy bigot. Not blaming America or the competition but AFDI are really a bunch of assholes.

 

[Soda]

I hope you are wrong. These are clearly crazy people. As @King Stannis did say, though, Geller is a crazy bigot. Not blaming America or the competition but AFDI are really a bunch of assholes.

Agreed. It is pretty obvious that the whole event was inflammatory. I'm not into that type of action, but it's nothing that is illegal or unique to America.