The latest information from Fox News:
Islamic Group Claims Attacks
Blasts Have Stamp of Al Qaeda
Timeline: Terrorism in England
Transit Cams May Aid Probe
Video: London Mayor Defiant
Chaos on, Below Streets
Timeline: London Attacks
Photos: Timeline of Attacks
G-8 Leaders Rally Behind Blair
Video: Blair Condemns Blasts
Video: Giuliani Reacts
Witnesses Describe Horror
Photos: Blasts Rock London
Video: Scene of Terror
U.S. Tightens Transit Security
Video: U.S. Officials React
Stocks Plunge, Rebound
Oil Prices Rise, Then Fall

Group lays claim to blasts
'Al Qaeda in Europe' warns other nations
07/07/05 09:07 AM, EDT
A previously unknown group calling itself the "Secret Organization Group of al Qaeda of Jihad in Europe" has released a statement claiming responsibility for the subway and bus bombings in London.FULL STORY

Fox News is now reporting 40 dead, 350 injured in the series of bombings in London today.

It is a scene painfully reminiscent of September 11, 2001, with information having trickled in as one bomb went off, then another...then another. Scenes of people walking when the transit system was shut down. The images of the damage. Thankfully, the casualties are on a much smaller scale, but it is horrible nonetheless.

"...there are some seriously injured people there...it's not good..." said a woman who was in the subway, speaking with Fox News.

Tony Blair stated today that we must continue "to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us."

U.S. transportation systems are now at Alert Level Orange, due to the events in London, but the DHS is saying there is no credible evidence that a similar attack is imminent here.

Although there is no definite indication of responsbility, it has all the earmarks of an Al Qaeda attack. It was timed for rush hour, to inflict the maximum amount of casualties. It was timed to disrupt the G8 summit. And, once again, it was directed at innocent people.

We cannot allow fear to lead us to waiver or falter. We MUST defeat these people. Eliminate these people. Seize their resources, eliminate safe harbors, deprive them from a single moment's peace. And we must never forget that it can happen again here, if we don't stop them.

Our hearts are with our friends across the Big Pond.

Explosions rock London underground and buses | csmonitor.com: "Explosions rock London underground and buses

Reports of 40 killed in what British PM Tony Blair called 'a series of terrorist attacks.'

By Tom Regan | csmonitor.com

As many as 40 people may have been killed and many more have been injured in a series of at least seven explosions in the London underground subway system and on a double-decker bus. The BBC reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was 'reasonably clear' there had been a series of terrorist attacks. London's police chief Sir Ian Blair said 'traces of explosives had been found at one site.' "

From the idiot that brought you such classics as "Gitmo Dick - The Lame Comments," and "Gitmo Dick - Lame Non-Apology," comes the latest installment, sure to be a family classic:

Gitmo Dick - The Inevitable "Right-Wing Conspiracy" Accusation and Military Family Trashing

That's right - your favorite jackass is back.

On the heels of his non-apology, our favorite troop-basher now says that the "backlash from his remarks comparing prisoner treatment at Guantanamo Bay to that of Nazis was an 'orchestrated right-wing attack,' executed through the mainstream media." (Fox News)

And as if that wasn't enough, he also said that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, a Democrat, didn't criticize Durbin's reprehensible comments because they were reprehensible. Of course not. See, the only reason Daley criticized him was because Robert Novak got to him.

Oh, and Daley was just overly emotional - "extremely sensitive," according to Dick - because his son is a Soldier, and Daley only got Novak's version. Well, Lord knows those military parents can't be taken seriously. It's unbelievable that this turkey is actually implying that Daley's comments can't be given due weight because they have a son that he completely insulted and maligned. Tell me, Dick, is there a BETTER version of the story? You called them Nazis, you moron!

Here's part of what he said to the Daily Herald:
"I embellished a good speech given to me by a staffer on the issue. So I take complete blame for whatever was wrong with those words. It’s not the type of thing, in my business, where you pull over senators, and say, let me read a speech to you. It isn’t done. Nor do I expect them to do that to me or ask me to review their speeches. As I said, and I’ll repeat here, it was a very poor choice words. The imagery of Nazis, Soviets, Pol Pot and the rest of it went way beyond the pale. I thought that I was making a pretty clear reference to an FBI memo, but others did not see it that way. I have said that I apologize for those words and I feel that I should have chosen different words, better words, for that purpose."

OK, stop. 'Whatever was wrong?' Are you kidding me? Oh, but it wasn't really his responsibility, was it? He thought he was referencing an FBI memo - we just misinterpreted him calling our troops Nazis. Silly us.

Moving on...
"But what an interesting reaction, when I think about it, as I look back on a half dozen, twelve words that were used. I discovered, as some others have discovered, what the other side has available that we don’t. They are so well-organized." Yep. We have such resources as gratitude to our troops, common sense...you're right, Dick, you sure haven't got those resources.

This guy continues to prove that his comments weren't ill-chosen words. They weren't a mistake, and they weren't misunderstood. They were intentional slander of our troops, and it's simply not forgivable. This guy needs to hear it, 24/7/52. Every single day. He needs to be held accountable, and he needs to be told, loud and clear, that this is just NOT behavior that the American people are going to tolerate.

Vietnam had Hanoi Jane, and we've got Gitmo Dick. Only this time, let's do it right. This man betrayed our troops, pure and simple. And it needs to be kept right in the public's face until he either has the decency to resign, or is voted out.

More Gitmo Tidbits:
The Gitmo Diet - from Fox News - they're now on Day 7.
CNN Visits Gitmo - pretty much what you'd expect them to say.

Say hello to Steven, currently serving in Afghanistan. Steven, you're all set - you should be hearing from your Angel shortly.

Keep your head down and your helmet on - take care, stay safe, and THANK YOU for all you do.

Received via email...

I saw your picture of the pilot with the American flag in his cockpit.

Here is a picture of a Flag my family received and how we displayed it. It is with great pride that we were honored by such a gift.

Keep up the great work! Thank you

Mike

This picture was also posted at American Dinosaur.

Thanks for sending this along, Mike, and for a fantastic flag display.

CELEBRATION — An Iraqi woman throws confetti as Iraqi soldiers from 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division pass in review during a June 29, 2005 activation ceremony at Muthana Airfield, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Piper

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
U.S. Citizens Held on Iraq Insurgency Suspicions
Americans Donate Clothes to Children — Story
150 New Health Care Facilities to be Built — Story

Operation Enduring Freedom
SEAL Sought in Afghanistan
U.S. Servicemember Rescued
U.S. Reveals Ambush Details

Fallen Heroes
Troops Remains Recovered

Welcome Home
Guam Guard Returns from Africa Deployment — Story

Other News of Note
Injured Marine Inspires DJ

Fox News
Captors Threaten to Kill Diplomat
Oil Hits Record $61 a Barrel
Fred Thompson to Manage Supreme Court Nomination
Reid: Gonzales Qualified

Reuters: Top News
New York Times reporter sent to jail in leak case
Qaeda says will kill Egypt's Iraq envoy
New York Times reporter sent to jail in leak case
Qaeda says will kill Egypt's Iraq envoy
Police and protesters clash near G8 summit
Bush says won't base court decision on abortion
Court delays UN oil-for-food case

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Iraq abductors threaten to kill diplomat
Sharon orders speedup in building barrier
Egypt protesters urge Mubarak to resign
Fate of Iran nuke negotiator questioned
Trial of Egyptian candidate is postponed
Al-Zarqawi mentor arrested in Jordan
Sudan's legislature passes constitution
Iraq kidnappers threaten to kill Egyptian
Egyptian envoy's ID cards shown on Web
Iraqi security forces accused of torture
Iraqis say security forces use torture
Syria may face problem with extremists
United Church of Christ OKs Mideast ruling
Masked Palestinian gunmen stall rock show
Al-Zarqawi denounces Iraq army as enemies

Department of Defense
Bush Praises U.S.- Danish Partnership — Story
Quadrennial Defense Review Process Revs Up — Story
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Will Remain in Hit — Story

ON THE GROUND
Air Force Recognizes Iraqi Name of Air Base — Story

IN IRAQ
Hospital Opening Furthers Iraqi Progress

FACE OF DEFENSE
Marine Uses Music as Motivation — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Web Site Honors Poet Warriors — Story
Nationals Support Troops
Effort Helps N.C. Troop Families
Atlanta Parade Salutes Troops
Parade Reunites Families

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Insurgents Target Iraqi Progress
Photos: July Fourth in Iraq
Photos: Rebuilding Erbil
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Statement Expresses Regret
Former Rebels Sign Pledges
Battles Near Kandahar Kill 3 Enemies
Defense Leaders' Views on Afghanistan
Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Bush Topics: Terrorism, Freedom
Officials Release Strategy
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Survey Helps Personnel System
'Army Values' Aid Recruiters
Vinson Concludes Gulf Operations
National Guard, Reserve Update




Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1846 - The U.S. annexes California.
1863 - the first U.S. military draft occurs, with exemptions costing $100.
1865 - Four convicted Lincoln assassination conspirators, including Mary Surratt, are hanged.
1898 - The U.S. annexes Hawaii.
1908 - The Great White Fleet , on a diplomatic world tour, leaves SanFrancisco Bay.
1930 - Construction begins on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
1937 - Japanese and Chinese troops clash, a precursor to WW II.
1941 - U.S. forces land in Iceland to forestall a Nazi invasion.
1948 - Six female reservists become the first women sworn into the regular US Navy.
1956 - 7 Army trucks loaded with dynamite explode in the middle of Cali, Columbia killing 1,100-1,200, and destroyimg 2,000 buildings.
1960 - (US Air Force Museum says July 1) The U.S.S.R. shoots down a U.S. RB-47 reconaissance plane over the Barents Sea, capturing the two surviving crewmembers, and imprisoning them in Lubyanka (a REAL gulag - see an interesting study of reports of American servicemen in the Soviet prison system here).
1976 - Viking 2 goes into orbit around Mars.
1980 - Arizona Judge Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first female nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
1981 - Solar Challenger, the first solar-powered aircraft, crosses the English Channel.
1983 - 11 year old Samantha Smith of Maine, "America's Youngest Ambassador," leaves for the U.S.S.R. (later dies in a plane crash at the age of 13).
1986 - The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Gramm-Rudman deficit-reduction law.
1987 - The Kiwanis Clubs vote to admit women, ending their men-only tradition, vote to admit women; Lt. Col Oliver North begins testimony at the Iran-Contra hearing.
1988 - The Soviet Union launches Phobos 1 to probe the Martian moon (it fails)

Birthdays
1752 - Joseph-Marie Jacquard, inventor of the programmable loom
1843 - Camillo Golgi, physician, cytologist, Nobel Prize winner
1917 - Lawrence F. O'Brien (Watergate conspirators broke into his office)
1927 - Alan Dixon (Sen-IL)

Passings
1647 - Thomas Hooker, clergyman, founder of Connecticut, called the father of American democracy for the Fundamental Orders established for that colony, which were based on his principles.

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Williamson, Don I., USAF (KY); F105D shot down; remains returned July, 1989

1966
Pharris, William, US Army (LA); believed KIA during firefight, body not recovered

1967
Avolese, Paul A., USAF (NY); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, body not recovered
Bittenbender, David F., USAF (NY); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, body not recovered
Blankenship, Charles H., USAF (MD); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, remains returned May, 1997
Crumm, William J., USAF (NY); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, body not recovered
Jones, George E., USAF (MS); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, remains returned May, 1997
McLaughlin, Olen B., USAF (FL); Killed when two B52's collided in midair, remains returned April, 1997
Tritt, James Francis, USN (PA); lost overboard

1970
Beals, Charles E., US Army (IN); believed KIA during firefight, body not recovered
Howard, Lewis J., US Army (GA); believed hit by RPG round during firefight, extent of injuries unknown

1972
Kroboth, Alan J., USMC (KS); A6A shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998
Robertson, Leonard, USMC (NY); A6A shot down, VC advised died in captivity according to Kroboth (above)