Major Islamic countries total over a billion people have fewer patents in their entire recorded history than did the citizens of Utah last year.

The Dinocrat has been busy adding up the numbers and has discovered some curiously interesting facts such as:

• The Saudi Patent Regulations of 1989 established a patent registration system, covering any new article, methods of manufacture (including improvements in either of them) and product patents. In 1996, the Saudi Patent Office granted its first patents since its establishment in 1990.

• Iran in 2001, had only one patent, whereas U.S. in 1997 had 111805 patents…
• 
  
• Or finally Indonesia, which totalled 30 patents over the last five years. These are Arabs, Persians, and South Asians, different peoples with vastly different histories, but one thing in common among them today: a culture of and belief in submission.
• 
  
• Remember this pathetic performance the next time some bonehead tries to argue cultural equivalency to you. How dare these people try to impose their ways on us, or dictate anything about the way we should live. Theirs is a formula for poverty, stagnation and misery. Imagine: over a billion people, and they have fewer patents in their entire recorded history than did the citizens of Utah last year.
  

Dinocrat Blog Archive How does the modern world look when you have done nothing to help create it, and innovation is a threat to cherished beliefs?

1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Lance Cpl. Michael Surber, 19, of Kenosha, Wisc.,

The AP discovers blogging. The antique news media of almost fossilized dinosaurs tries to learn a new dog and pony trick. Antonio Castaneda AP is embedded with Regimental Combat Team 7 in western Iraq and he has a--mention of one of my favorite units the war pig drivers of hell and fury---First LAR.

SUNDAY, Feb. 26, 9:39 p.m. local

KARABILAH, Iraq---During a foot patrol, a few Marines explained those things that maintained their spirits. "Hot showers, hot food, TV, Internet," said one Marine. "Mail. Mail is definitely one of the biggest morale boosters you can get," added Lance Cpl. Michael Surber, 19, of Kenosha, Wisc., assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion. I'd seen dozens of troops tear open those standard white U.S. Postal Service boxes like Christmas gifts.

Chron.com | AP Blogs From Iraq

''We won't stop the protests until the world obeys Islamic law.''Muslim demonstrator in Toronto

Needing to wake up, West just closes its eyes

Long story short? Ok here it is. Mark Steyn has a column that reduces to basic news once again, one more time: Islamic Fascists are trying to take over the world. No, this is not James Bond stuff fighting the evil SPECTER-this is real time and remember this as you suit up your warrior stuff to take your 7 month turn in the sand box. Far fetched you say well check this out : In Seattle we already have Muslim women only swimming pools paid for by the taxpayers. What else? You think we might be going back to the whiltes only days. We are catching up to the Frenchies quick. We are sensitive to their sensitivities. But let Steyn tell you the rest:

Something very remarkable is happening around the globe and, if you want the short version, a Muslim demonstrator in Toronto the other day put it very well:

''We won't stop the protests until the world obeys Islamic law.''

Stated that baldly it sounds ridiculous. But, simply as a matter of fact, every year more and more of the world lives under Islamic law: Pakistan adopted Islamic law in 1977, Iran in 1979, Sudan in 1984. Four decades ago, Nigeria lived under English common law; now, half of it's in the grip of sharia, and the other half's feeling the squeeze, as the death toll from the cartoon jihad indicates. But just as telling is how swiftly the developed world has internalized an essentially Islamic perspective. In their pitiful coverage of the low-level intifada that's been going on in France for five years, the European press has been barely any less loopy than the Middle Eastern media.

What, in the end, are all these supposedly unconnected matters from Danish cartoons to the murder of a Dutch filmmaker to gender-segregated swimming sessions in French municipal pools about? Answer: sovereignty. Islam claims universal jurisdiction and always has. The only difference is that they're now acting upon it. The signature act of the new age was the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran: Even hostile states generally respect the convention that diplomatic missions are the sovereign territory of their respective countries. Tehran then advanced to claiming jurisdiction over the citizens of sovereign states and killing them -- as it did to Salman Rushdie's translators and publishers. Now in the cartoon jihad and other episodes, the restraints of Islamic law are being extended piecemeal to the advanced world, by intimidation and violence but also by the usual cooing promotion of a spurious multicultural "respect" by Bill Clinton, the United Church of Canada, European foreign ministers, etc.

The I'd-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing-in-perfect-harmonee crowd have always spoken favorably of one-worldism. From the op-ed pages of Jutland newspapers to les banlieues of Paris, the Pan-Islamists are getting on with it.

General Dynamics hasn't forgotten your old War Pig

Old War Pigs will get electric turret drives, after all. Gereral Dynamics Land Systems will provide 394 electric turret drives kits for your old LAV's scheduled to be installed by Mech's July next year. The up grade is part of the latest LAV A2 contract that will built the next generation war pig w/standard electric turret drive and auto-fire extinquishers.

Hadita Dam photos by Cpl James McCauley Lima 3/25

Dust Storm




















Flags at Hadita Dam





















Inside the Dam
















Dawn

Bow Gunner Dam Security Unit

Story/ Photo by Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

HADITHA DAM, Iraq
( Dec. 9, 2005)

Marines with the Dam Security Unit patrol the waters around the hydroelectric power plant everyday. Thanks to them, the dam continues to supply power to thousands of Iraqi people and safely house Coalition Forces operating in the area.

“We patrol the water around the dam at least once or twice a day to make sure there is no illegal boat traffic or vessel-born [improvised explosive devices] that could damage the dam,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Lockwood, a Galveston, Texas native and section leader for the unit.

The Marines’ boats operate on both sides of the dam. They have a team that operates on the Euphrates River and one that operates on the man-made reservoir called Lake Qadisiyah.

Currently attached to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, the unit is made up of mostly Reservists, hailing from Reserve Stations all around the country and from all different job fields, who volunteered to operate the boats.

“In this unit, we have trackers, gunners, mechanics, operators, supply guys, optics techs, lots of different talents,” commented 26 year-old Lockwood. “It is great because people also use their civilian careers to help the mission. We are a self-sufficient unit.”

The unit also has a few active-duty Marines that help the unit accomplish their mission. Four of them were actually part of an active-duty small craft unit that operated in Iraq before it was decommissioned a few months ago.

“The small craft guys bring expertise to the unit because they have been doing it for some time,” Lockwood said. “The same guys that are here with us were ones that taught at the school where we all learned how to operate the boats.”

Before the unit deployed to Iraq, they traveled from their hometowns to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., for training. They spent more than three months learning how to operate, maintain, and perform missions aboard the $750,000-dollar boats.

“We learned how to perform combat missions and do evasive maneuvers with the boats,” Lockwood said. “These boats are pretty amazing in the water.”

The boats come with twin, turbo-charged diesel engines that give the boats more than 850 horsepower. At full throttle with a combat load, the Riverine Craft can do a speed of about 40 mph.

“Even though the boats are really heavy, we can go from full throttle to a complete stop in three boat lengths,” added Lockwood

Story/ Photo by Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

RIVERINE ASSAULT CRAFT

A US Marine Corps (USMC) troop sits patiently manning an M2.50caliber Machine Gun onboard a RIVERINE ASSAULT CRAFT (RAC) during an exercise on Lake Al Habbaniyah, Iraq (IRQ), in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Camera Operator: LCPL SAMANTHA L. JONES, USMC

Bronze Star for Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan McDonell Corpsman Golf Two Five

Doc McDonell saved Cpl Mark O'Brien's life after a RPG blasted a hole in their vehicle causing serious injuries to O'Brien.

“When I came up after the blast, I saw Cpl. (Mark) O’Brien bleeding profusely through the white smoke,” recalled McDonell. “His wounds were bad, and my main concern was to stop the bleeding any way possible.”

While still under intense fire, McDonell applied tourniquets to the wounded Marine’s arm and leg and supervised his loading into the evacuation vehicle.

While driving at high speeds through narrow streets to reach the nearest medical facility, he began a second, more detailed evaluation of the wound. McDonell raised the Marine’s mangled leg and with his bare hands, reached inside the wound and grasped the femoral artery and pulled it through the damaged tissue far enough to apply a second tourniquet.

When this failed to control the bleeding, he reached inside the Marine’s leg and clamped down on the femoral artery, holding it with his fingers until they arrived at the medical facility."

McDonell attended O'Brien's wedding last July.

Lt.Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Medal Of Honor winner not good enough for University of Washington Students

A statue honoring Lt.Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, USMC, five time ace fighter pilot and Medal Of Honor winner was rejected by his alma mater sheep elected to the student senate of the University of Washington. Jill Edwards questioned the proprietary of honoring a killer and she did not believe a Marine was an example of the the sort of person UW wanted to produce. Ashley Miller added that there already many momuments on campus that commemorate rich white guys. Now before this fracas goes any further (some of the student sheep are already freaked by the wrath of Vets) this is a good time for all good sheep dogs to go here and read Bill Whittle's excellent essay on why the sheep will always hate the sheep dog.
Here is a bit:

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog that intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.

Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa." Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog. As Kipling said in his poem about "Tommy" the British soldier:

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that,
an' "Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir,"
when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys,
there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir,"
when there's trouble in the wind.

In the Entire World You Can't Fnd Another Site W/Translated Foreign News

There is a new kid in the world who translates world newspapers 24/7 Watching America

They are looking for translators, too, so if you have the glib of gab or just want to read what Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has to say about Cartoon Jihad check it out. Awesome.

"WatchingAmerica reflects global opinion about the United States, helping Americans and non-Americans alike understand what the world thinks of current issues that involve the U.S. This is done by providing news and views about the United States published in other countries.

It is not our purpose to find favorable or unfavorable content, but to reflect as accurately as possible how others perceive the richest and most powerful country in the world. We have no political agenda.

WatchingAmerica makes available in English articles written about the U.S. by foreigners, often for foreign audiences, and often in other languages. Since WatchingAmerica offers its own translations, regular users of our site will enjoy articles not available in English anywhere else. We are a unique window into world opinion.

In addition, by integrating the latest translation technology into the site, visitors are able to surf all of the content of foreign-language news outlets at the push of a button - in English.

The site is updated frequently."

Watching America

A letter from the Mayor of Tall 'Afar, Iraq describes Life with the Souless Evil Thug Predators via Mudville Gazette

Mudville Gazette: "Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi’s followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them."

Silver Star for Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers

Change of Command, on January 13th, ceremony for 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers passed the colors to Battalion Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Mennig after he received them from former commander, Lt. Col. Timothy S. Mundy. Photo by: Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

"“Protect the Marines, and then kill the enemy --pretty much in that order: Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers accounted for his actions that were awarded the Silver Star for gallantry under fire in Fallujah.

He declines to take any credit for the Silver Star awarded for his hell for leather heroic actions in which he once threw his body in between a grenade blast and two exposed Marines. Shaking off the effects of the blast Desgrosseillers then, a Major and the XO of 3/5, led his Marines against 15 evil thug terrorists hiding inside the house waiting to kill more Marines. The Fallujah thug predators, who had been preying on helpless civilians, were escorted to an exit outside the airlocker.

Two weeks later, Desgrosseilliers’ task force came under heavy fire from evil thug predators hiding inside a house. When a Marine was shot down in the house entrance, Desgrosseilliers and another Marine pulled the wounded man to safety, despite the intense enemy fire. Desgrosseilliers, leg bleeding from a gunshot wound, runs to a nearby Marine tank and orders cannon fire on the house. The blast sent 30 evil thug doers to their meeting w/ 72 virgins waiting outside the airlocker.

“Ask the Lt Col what his Star Star Medal is all about and he replies: "It'’s about the men. “I was doing what I felt was my job as an officer. (The Marines) ensured we were successful. We were a good team. Every man would fight to the death if he had to ensure the life of his comrades.

Silver Star for 1st Lt. Stephen J. Boada,

"Boada received a purple heart and a Silver Star medal for his gallant actions against the enemy while serving as a forward observer and forward air controller that day, but remains truly humbled by the experience.

"I think about what happened out there every day, and will for as long as I live," said Boada. "I think about what we could have done different. What we could have done to have those two Marines walk home with us."

Boada is now back with 1/12, but feels he should be going to Iraq with the Marines of 3/3.
"It just doesn't feel right and I regret not having the opportunity to deploy with them again," said Boada. "I try to keep in touch with all of the Marines I was with."

Campbell said he feels the award for Boada is a much deserved one.

"He is an artillery officer," said the Jackson, Tenn. native. "The things he did, he didn't have to do. He put himself in harms way and did everything he could do to try and save those two Marines. We all did everything we could do, and it was truly an honor to work with Lt. Boada."

Boada felt differently about his role in the situation when asked.

"The Marines I was with that day deserve the recognition," said Boada. "They all need to be talked about, talked about more than me, they are all amazing."

Marine Corps News> Marine recalls Silver Star actions

Zarqawi says: we'll stop kicking your butt when Islamic Law Rules Entire Earth

You want Peace I 've got your peace right here, Zarqawi says. The Big Z, aka Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, number two on the Hit Parade, said in an audio tape after rockets were fired on Isreal from Lebanon last month on orders from Big O, aka Osama bin Laden, number One on the hit parade. I was especially interested in this broadcast as I am still hot and pissed off from a neighborly discussion w/one of my deaf, blind and out to lunch neighbors who dropped the all we have to do is get out Iraq and all this bullshit will stop bomb. The "this is a Bush War" rant took me completely by surprise as he voted for Bush. Go Figure.

Middle East Online: "The Iraqi Al-Qaeda leader then laid down two conditions for giving up the jihad.

'First, chase out the invaders from our territory in Palestine, in Iraq and everywhere in Islamic land.

'Second, install sharia (Islamic law) on the entire Earth and spread Islamic justice there (...). The attacks will not cease until after the victory of Islam and the setting up of sharia,' he swore.

Zarqawi concluded: 'O young Muslims everywhere in the world, and in particular in the neighbouring countries of Iraq and in Yemen, I recommend jihad to you (...). O nation of Islam, America is today drawing its last breath.'"

Silver Star for Capt Brian R. von Kraus

"Mum and Dad, Roxane and Rudiger von Kraus congratulate son, Capt. Brian R. von Kraus after he was awarded the Silver Star Medal Feb. 8. Captain Von Kraus earned the Silver Star for his heroic actions on July 25, 2004 in which he dismounted his vehicle and entered the kill zone of a three-sided ambush by 20 thug terrorist to lead three separate assaults on several enemy strong points, personally destroying thugs with rifle fire and grenades. Von Kraus, then a Lt. was the CO of 1st Platoon, Company A., 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto)

A missed chance to teach a lesson�-�Nation/Politics�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

A missed chance to teach a lesson�-�Nation/Politics�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: ". Scott McClellan, the spokesman for President Bush, attempted a lecture yesterday but delivered the wrong rebuke. 'We support and respect the freedom of the press,' he said, 'but there are also important responsibilities that come with that freedom.'
This is wrong, and dangerously wrong. The guarantees of free expression (such as the First Amendment in our own country) include no 'if,' no 'also,' no 'but.' The guarantees do not ordain a 'responsible' press, but a free press. This is what the Muslims, who often show no respect for the beliefs of others, must learn even if they learn it the hard way. Followers of the prophet are entitled to believe that a caricature of the man they revere is wrong. If they believe that, they should neither draw such a caricature nor look upon one drawn by someone else. They have no right to impose that belief on anyone else, Hindu, Christian or Hottentot. This is what Kofi Annan and the bowed heads of Europe and spokesmen for the State Department and the White House, and George W. Bush for all that, should be telling the Muslims. And not forget to duck.

Wesley Pruden is editor in chief of The Times. "

Bronze Star for Major Ladd Shepard 2nd LAR

Tryon Daily Bulletin | Tryon NC:

"Major Ladd Shepard received the Bronze Star Medal for his recent outstanding service and leadership in Iraq. He was awarded the prestigious medal during a ceremony held last Friday at Camp Lejeune. Shepard is credited with helping to reduce by 50 percent the number of roadside bombs according to military officials during Operation Iraqi Freedom in which he served as the Operations Officer for 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion."

Two LAR and Iraqi Security Forces kicked thug butt hiding out in an area of 10,000 square miles in western Iraq bordering our friends the Saudi's, the Syrians and the Jordanians. Maj. Shepard, a hard core go-getter, also completed tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

"Our Religion Does Not Allow UNCONDITIONAL Freedom of Speech"

The Thug Wars have 'morped' into the 'Toon' Wars. Clarity is the winner. The Danish have done the western world a great service. They are the point men in front of the platoon that sound the alarm to the main body following.

Got Armor-Get Paid

Stars & Stripes: "The Marines announced Friday that servicemembers can now be reimbursed for the following additional items:

* Side plate body armor, up to $600 per set.
* Deltoid and auxiliary protectors, up to $285 per set.
* Elbow pads, up to $20 per set.
* Knee pads, up to $20 per set.
* Summer weight gloves, up to $18 per pair.

The items were added to the list of reimbursable protective gear on Dec. 10, 2005, according to the Web site.

The Defense Department has begun to send extra body armor to U.S. troops in Iraq after a May 2005 study by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology showed that several Marines whose deaths were analyzed received fatal wounds to exposed areas of their torsos, such as their shoulders."

Contact info

To submit a reimbursement claim, e-mail smbhqmcrfoexecution@hqmc.usmc.mil or contact:

Lt. Col. Michael Cordero at corderome@hqmc.usmc.mil or 703-692-5099, DSN 222- 5099.

Matthew D. Shaffer at shaffermd@hqmc.usmc.mil or 703-692-5406, DSN 222- 5406.

Other points of contact are:

Capt. Terrell Hood at Marine Corps Base Quantico Supply Office at terrell.hood@usmc.mil or 703-784- 6696, DSN 278-6696; Tim Florian, for equipment recovery and disposition, at florianta@hqmc.usmc.mil or 703-695-8926, DSN 225-8926.

Its in the Koran has moved

The original site that hosted the ditty aka "Justification of a Thug" shut Patrick Henry down because anti-free speech rights readers objected the song hurt their feelings( I think we may have discovered a center of gravity here). Mark Humphrys (http://markhumphrys.com/index.html)who is "Pro-free private life: Atheist. Pro-science. Pro-reason. Pro-free speech. Pro-liberal democracy.
Pro-free economic life: Pro-capitalist. Pro-West.
Pro-interventionist: Anti-isolationist. End tyranny everywhere. End communism. End Islamic law." gave Patrick Henry shelter. Dude his site is totally awesome. Hyperlinks up the Kudzoo River. Go thru every link and you can qualify for a PHD.

Its In the Koran
In our days of glory
Now centuries past
The kingdom of Islam
Stood mighty and vast
Then we failed our faith
And watched your power grow
But soon our greatness will return
And this is how we know

Because it's in the Koran
It's written in the Koran
A world united under Allah is
The future of man
How could it not be so
When most opposing us panic
And surrender once a few of them have bled

We're happy to torture
We're eager to rape
We savor your last screams
On videotape
We massacre children
We ransack a shrine
And all our acts are sanctified
By Suras 2 through 9

Because it's in the Koran
It's written in the Koran
That we should fight and slay the infidels
However we can
We'll blow ourselves to bits
If that gives us an advantage
Or we'll slit your throats while you're asleep in bed

Those heathens who scold us
Are wasting their breath
Over the millions we've butchered
And starved
We're men who would let girls
Be trampled to death
Rather than see them in public
Unscarved

So don't look for mercy
When you're at our feet
The justice we'll give you
Is harsh and complete
We danced in delight
When your Twin Towers fell
And you'll weep with your slaughtered
As you burn with them in Hell

Because it's in the Koran
It's written in the Koran
Your fate was settled long before
This latest battle began
We've found our holy purpose
And we'll never abandon it
As long as there's a sinner to behead

In other words we won't rest
Till everyone in the west
Is a slave, a Muslim or dead

Copyright 2006

"'You bet, we'll defend Israel":Jerusalem Post

Plain Talk From the Man From Texas


"'You bet, we'll defend Israel.'" "Israel is a solid ally of the United States, we will rise to Israel's defense if need be. So this kind of menacing talk is disturbing. It's not only disturbing to the United States, it's disturbing for other countries in the world as well," Dubya on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "I am concerned about a person that, one, tries to rewrite the history of the Holocaust, and two, has made it clear that his intentions are to destroy Israel.





Jerusalem Post

New Improved War Pigs on Order

The first down payment of $128 million on a total of $257 million for 130 war pigs has been paid to General Dynamics who will start delivery of the new, improved, enhanced LAV-A2 sometime in July 2007. The new pig will have improved suspension, automatic fire suppression instead of the old manual Halon 1301 crew and engine compartment fire suppression. An electric turrent drive is available for an additional $50 million so don't hold your breath Congress will let you have that bad boy. Those bad boys are too busy dealing each other pork. The rest of the new pig is identical to the old pig including the old 275 hp Detroit Diesel w/6 on the floor and one reverse and the option of 4wd or 8wd. Same same.



General Dynamics Awarded $257 Million Contract for Light Armored Vehicles

Saddle UP For Danish Super Bowl Sunday

Denmark Needs Our Help! Time to Cowboy UP! Right...let's go shopping

Email from Denmark

Hey Mike.

Just wanted to let you know how much your support means to me and other danes! Thanks for taking a stand in this important matter and not hiding. If we want to be able to have freedom of speech is so important that fellow thinkers support and make their voice heard when this is threathen and believe me it is, if the moslems win this one no telling what will happen next. Just a damn shame we are such a small country, thats also what the moslems think will make it easy for them to break us. We need all the support we can get in order to open peoples eyes to this threat for the free thinking world.

Thanks again for your support.

Bjarne.

French editor fired over You Know Who cartoons-Jacques Lefranc OUT! Mon Dui!

I'm shocked. Shocked. Dude, what the hell are you doing?

France Soir owner Raymond Lakah, a French Egyptian, said in a statement to AFP he "decided to remove Jacques Lefranc as managing director of the publication as a powerful sign of respect for the intimate beliefs and convictions of every individual".

You didn't respect mine. Put Jacques Lefranc back to work where You can look up to him as a Man with True Grit. This just pisses me off no end. Now we can't have french toast with our Danish Super Bowl Party!

BBC NEWS | Europe | French editor fired over cartoons

via Michelle Malkin--the forbidden cartoons the kingdoms of islam are ready to dump free speech rights

Here, for posterity and in solidarity with the paper's free speech rights, are the 12 forbidden cartoons:

In response to the notion that the West (or Islam) has ever followed the prohibition against depicting Mohammed, Zombie has created the "Mohammed Image Archive," which contains dozens of Mohammed images from throughout history. A must-read.

Zombie e-mails:

I think it's important that the West stands up on this issue: if we cave into Muslim demands for self-censorship, our freedom of speech will be taken away forever.

Civilized world to HAMAS: Put down your guns, and get a life.

The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: "So here's what the civilized countries should say: 'Given who you are, you don't deserve a sou. You have killed thousands of innocents and not only have no shame, but boast of demonstrating your manly prowess by killing children. Since no one believes anything you say, renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist by eliminating, immediately, the promise in the Palestinian constitution to destroy Israel. Make a public renunciation of suicide bombing, imprison everyone who encourages a suicide bomber. Put down your guns, and get a life. Reform your schools, eliminate textbooks with hateful references to Christians and Jews. Tell your teachers and imams to shape up or ship out. Do these things, and we'll decide when we think you're sincere.' "

Sgt. Major Moratalla awarded Bronze Star

Major General George J. Trautman III presents Sgt. Maj. Andrés M. Moratalla with the Bronze Star Medal Jan. 27 outside of Hangar 533. According to his award citation, Moratalla received the medal for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations in Iraq. . Maj. Gen. Trautman is the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Moratalla is the sergeant major of HMM-265. (Photo by Cpl. Sarah Maynard)