** So we have another scandal involving a cabinet minister, this time Tessa Jowell and her husband and the Italian leader. All of whom are saying I have done nothing wrong and passing the buck.
And of course she says the same things as every other minister who gets caught in a scandal, "I have done thing wrong.", "I see no reason to resign" etc etc.Would be a bit different if it were you or me. We get into some trouble at work and its a case of "Go and dont come back on Monday." Yet time and time again we see our elected leaders using power for their own ends and not being brought to account.
NU Labour. Bastards the lot of them...All I can add is that I wish I could land a job where I could lie, blag freebies at the tax payers expense and get dubious back handers from "business interests". I know I think I will join the Labour Party & stand as an MP...
Iraqi Air Force Spreads its Wings
| By Staff Sgt. Melissa Koskovich, USAF Special to American Forces Press Service |
| BAGHDAD, March 3, 2006 – A fully certified aircrew takes flight, and a single air base opens its gates. These feats represent giant steps toward independence and national security to Iraqi airmen training side by side here with U.S. Air Force members. |
Since November, the U.S. Air Force has taken on the mission of standing up the Iraqi air force, enabling Iraqis to gradually take over operations and help secure their nation's future. "In only a few months they have made significant progress," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, Air Component Coordination Element director, said. "We're working closely with them on a plan for their future. We agree on where they're going and how to get there."
Iraqi airmen agree that progress has been made, but know there's still a long road to travel. "We are starting over," Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kamal Barzanjy said. "America has given us a lot of help, and we have already accomplished many things, but we need to keep growing."
Building an air force is no simple undertaking. Eidsaune noted that Iraqis will face many challenges along the way. "One of the major challenges for them is funding," Eidsaune said. "The whole country is really stretched right now as far as funding and commerce, and air forces are not cheap entities. It will take them time to build up their capabilities."
To assist them, the U.S. has given the Iraq a small fleet of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.
But funding is not the only obstacle Iraqis will face. Recruiting the next generation of Iraqi airmen will also be a challenge. "Right now, most Iraqi airmen come from the 'old air force' - prior to the 1990s," Eidsaune said. "The Iraqis need to recruit more airmen and build up their air academy and staff colleges. There are already initiatives under way to accomplish this, but it will take time."
Despite these growing pains, the Iraqi air force is taking part in some coalition operations. "The IAF is playing a limited, but effective role in our operations," Eidsaune said. "Their current aircraft are kept busy transporting troops, supplies and distinguished visitors."
In addition, the Iraqi air force plays a small role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. "Iraqi ISR assets are tasked by the local (Iraqi) army division to scan their local infrastructure, including pipelines and borders," he said. "These assets bring back valuable intelligence to ground commanders, and are definitely making a difference."
With the first Iraqi air base opening March 7, the air force will begin to take on ground and airfield operations as well. "Mastering these functions is critical for survival as a defense force," Eidsaune said. "The Iraqis are motivated and eager to learn. They welcome our help. Our efforts are very much a partnership."
Barzanjy agrees. "We are working together as one team," he said. "Of course we still need support from our allies, but we are growing."
When asked about how he sees the Iraqi air force, Eidsaune said, "(The service) is small, but proud. One day they will be large and proud, like they once were."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Melissa Koskovich is assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward.)
** Finally it is rather satisfying to know that a humble cartoon can really piss off a major terrorist scumbag:
As well as physical attacks on the West, Zawahri, who is deputy to al Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden, called for an economic boycott against several countries.
“It is our duty to take part in a mass economic boycott of Denmark, Norway, France, Germany, and all countries that take part in this crusader attack against Islam,” he said, referring to the cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper last year.
He described the cartoons as part of a U.S.-led “crusader” campaign. “An example of the hatred of the crusaders led by America ... are the repeated offences against the personality of the Prophet Mohammad, may peace be upon him,” Zawahri said.
Have a look at this: http://profiles.yahoo.com/mohammed_prophet_of_doom
Tags: Tessa Jowell
Good News From Iraq
Osama bin Laden
Ayman al-Zawahri
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