The Daily Tension for Sat. 10 June

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Counterbalance: Fri. 9 June

THE BUZZ OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

Iraqi children chant "No to Zarqawi" and "No to Terrorism" during a small demonstration in Baghdad's poor neighborhood of Sadr City. Iraqi and US authorities have vowed to hunt down insurgency leaders after capturing a "treasure trove" of intelligence in the attack that killed Al-Qaeda militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
COMMENTLINES

On US politics:
Andrew Cline asks what does the Democrat's muted reaction to Zarqawi's death tell us about them?

What will the American people make of this effort to downplay such a significant victory?

When the the Jersey Girls respond to Ann Coulter's attack with a political press release saying, "there was no joy in watching men that we loved burn alive," the question has to be asked, "What person describes the death of a loved one in such detail?"

On Zarqawi:
Daniel Henninger says the killing of Zarqawi is a powerful moral victory, and not in the political sense of how the phrase "moral victory" is often used to put spin on a loss.

Some Democrats are calling the Zarqawi killing a stunt (probably the same ones who think the Apollo moon landing was filmed on a TV stage).

Is the mainstream media downplaying Zarqawi's death?

All quiet in Baghdad the day after.

On terrorism:
If you find you are asking yourself if it is wrong to wish the Canadian terrorists might have succeeded, you should know the right answer to the question.

NEWSBYTES

US POLITICS
Withdrawn Democrats
By Andrew Cline
(www.spectator.org) -- What to do with the news that a terrorist master responsible for the murder of untold numbers of American servicemen and women has been killed? Well, for many Democrats, that was a question that actually required thought before being answered.

Spinning Their Way to Defeat
(www.americanthinker.com) -- The first reaction that most Americans had to news that the Jordanian born terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed in a precision bombing raid by the United States Air Force yesterday was one of elation mixed with a grim satisfaction that a huge obstacle to bringing peace and security to Iraq was permanently removed. It was one of those moments that has occurred so rarely in this war; a triumph of good over evil and a clear cut victory for the United States for which all Americans should be thankful.

Doubting Coulter -- At First
By Mark Gauvreau Judge
(www.spectator.org) -- I was ready to give up on Ann Coulter. Even as a fan and a strong conservative, I found her questioning of the 9/11 widows in Godless hysterical and heartless. I thought it sad that such a brilliant mind had become unhinged. Saying that the Jersey Girls, the four women who lost husbands at 9/11, were "enjoying" their husbands' deaths? Ann -- time for rehab.

Jersey girls prove Coulter’s point
(www.americanthinker.com) -- The reaction to Ann Coulter’s Jersey Girls reference in her new book, Godless, The Church of Liberalism, proves the point she was making. You cannot be critical of, or in any way respond to the leftist message that comes from someone classified as victim.

IRAQ/ZARQAWI
Zarqawi And the Meaning of Moral Victory
By Daniel Henninger
(WSJ) -- The life of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi did not represent the word of God. This is false, a simple, dull lie. Whatever claims have been made through history in God's name, there is no imaginable sense in which the nations that emerged from World War II would grant legitimacy to al Qaeda's claims for God's blessing.

Democrats call Zarqawi killing a stunt
By Amy Fagan
(www.washingtontimes.com) -- Some Democrats, breaking ranks from their leadership, today said the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab Zarqawi in Iraq was a stunt to divert attention from an unpopular and hopeless war.

Surprise: Old media downplay Zarqawi's death
By David Limbaugh
(www.townhall.com) -- Before you assume liberals are acting in good faith in casually dismissing the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as "symbolic," don't forget their endless carping about our failure to capture Osama bin Laden.

Baghdad experiences a quiet day after Friday vehicle ban
BAGHDAD (AFP) -- Baghdad experienced a rare quiet day in the wake of the announcement of Al-Qaeda in Iraq's leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, after officials imposed a curfew for most of the day.

TERRORISM
Self-Loathing and the Denial of Terrorism
By James Lileks
(NNS) -- You're an enlightened world citizen. Your T-shirt says "9/11 was an inside job." You're pretty sure we're living in a fascist state, that President Bush taps the Dixie Chicks' phones, Christian abortion clinic bombers outnumber jihadis, and the war on "terror" is a distraction from the real threats: carbon emissions and Pat Robertson. Then you learn that 17 people were arrested in a terrorist bomb plot. How do you process the information? Let's take it step by step.

Tags: Counterbalance, Media, Journalism, Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Ann Coulter, Democrats, Republicans, Al-Zarqawi, Zarqawi, Al Qaeda, al-Qaida
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension

Images: Combat Camera, Zarqawi Air Strike

AFTER ACTION PHOTOS, AIR STRIKE VIDEOS

Felled palm trees and rubble fill the crater of the former safe house of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Hibhib, Iraq. An air strike to the house killed al-Zarqawi and a group of his associates June 7, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Rugs and other household items from the last safe house of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Hibhib, Iraq, lie among the rubble. Al-Zarqawi was killed during an air strike June 7, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Rubble and debris litter the site of the last safe house of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Hibhib, Iraq. The top insurgent target in Iraq, along with several of his associates, was killed during an air strike on the house June 7, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Iraqi and American Soldiers inspect the blast site of an air strike that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi June 7, 2006, in Hibhib, Iraq. Al-Zarqawi was the leader of Al Qaeda operations in Iraq and was considered the top insurgent target prior to his death. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

A hole and rubble is all that remains of the last residence of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Hibhib, Iraq. An air strike on the house killed the top insurgent in Iraq and a group of his cohorts June 7, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Iraqis stand on the rubble of a safe house destroyed in a U.S. raid which killed al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in the village of Hibhib near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, June 8, 2006.

An Iraqi boy holds a picture of U.S. President George W. Bush found amongst the rubble of a safe house destroyed in a U.S. raid which killed al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in the village of Hibhib near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, June 8, 2006.

FBI agents deliver a package containing three boxes of biological samples believed to be from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or his associates to the FBI Lab in Quantico, Va., on Thursday evening, June 8, 2006. Tips from within Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's own terror network helped the U.S. locate and bomb a secret meeting among the al-Qaida leader and top associates at a safe house north of Baghdad, military officials said Thursday.

The image displayed by the U.S. military shows the location of Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, during the time of a U.S. raid, at a news conference in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, June 8, 2006.

Zarqawi Air Strike Video

Securing the Bomb Site Video

NOTES: Click for enlargements. Most images by U.S. Military; used with permission.

Special thanks to CENTCOM.

Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera, Al-Zarqawi, Zarqawi, Al Qaeda, al-Qaida
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension

Counterbalance: Wed. 7 June

THE BUZZ OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

Conservative author Ann Coulter arrives for Time's celebration of the magazine's '100 Most Influential People' in New York in this May 8.
COMMENTLINES

On entertainment:
Despite good album sales, the upcoming Dixie Chicks tour is faltering before launch. Ticket sales for the tour are far below expectations.

On US politics:
Where President Bush is concerned, the mainstream media pours on the negative coverage and pays scant attention to the successes.

A Democrat goes down in California.

The Senate rejects the marriage protection amendment, here's the vote roll-call.

Ben Stein says Democrats remain hopeless snoots and asks why Republicans are cringing in fear instead of preparing a second Contract With America?

Dick Morris says the spoilers of the 2008 race are Gore and Giuliani.

On Haditha:
Washington lawyers Rivkin and Casey say the administration's domestic opponents play into the enemy's hands: Should the Haditha incident mature into a full-fledged war crimes drama prompting a premature U.S. withdrawal, the damage would not be limited to Iraq. If the U.S. cannot fight and win against a brutal urban insurgency in Iraq today, its ability to defeat any determined foe willing to sacrifice the civilian population in irregular warfare will be in question. This can only benefit the most vicious regimes and movements. The Bush administration's critics should pause a moment, and reflect, on whether this would really be worth it.

On the UN:
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton assails Annan's aide for elitist criticisms of the US heartland and damaging already strained US UN relations.

Annan backs aide, showing further proof as to how useless the UN has become as an organization to unite nations.

On Ann Coulter:
Ann says her book looks at the 'Mental Disorder' of liberalism. Ann does The New York Times a Favor and reviews her own book.

On life:
John Stossel says politicians bragged that the ADA "fixed the discrimination problem." But what really happened is that lawyers got richer, and the disabled got fewer opportunities.

NEWSBYTES

ENTERTAINMENT
Dixie Chicks tour struggling in several markets
NASHVILLE (Billboard) -- Initial ticket sales for the Dixie Chicks' upcoming tour are far below expectations and several dates will likely be canceled or postponed.

US POLITICS
President Bush’s victories receiving little attention
By Bill Sammon
WASHINGTON (www.examiner.com) -- When President Bush nominated Gen. Michael Hayden to run the CIA, the press focused on disapproving Democrats and even some Republicans who were dubious about confirmation.

Former GOP Rep. Wins Calif. House Race
By Robert Tanner
(AP) -- A former Republican congressman narrowly beat his Democratic rival early Wednesday for the House seat once held by jailed Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a race closely watched as a possible early barometer of next fall's vote.

Election Entrails
Trying to divine meaning from a single House election.
By John Dickerson
(Slate) -- Tuesday, Republican Brian Bilbray beat Democrat Francine Busby in a conservative district north of San Diego.

U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote Summary

Let's Stand for Something
By Ben Stein
(www.spectator.org) -- Now for a few deathless words about politics.

The spoilers of the 2008 race are Gore and Giuliani
By Dick Morris
(The Hill) -- The shape of the 2008 presidential sweepstakes is gradually becoming clearer through the fog of war. There is a surprising and artful symmetry in how each party’s contest is shaping up.

IRAQ
'Lawfare' Over Haditha
The administration's domestic opponents play into the enemy's hands.
By David Rivkin and Lee Casey
The unfolding investigation of last November's events in Haditha reveals much more about the Bush administration's critics than it does about the U.S. armed forces. Although the inquiry is ongoing, it appears that 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians were deliberately murdered, allegedly by American Marines seeking revenge for a fallen comrade. If true, the episode was a war crime, something that must be--and no doubt will be--severely punished. However, the administration's critics are already cynically leveraging the Haditha killings as a means of undercutting the president, heedless of the effect this may have on American national interests.

UNITED NATIONS
Bolton Assails Annan's Aide for Criticisms of U.S.
June 7 (Bloomberg) -- The top aide to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan damaged relations between the U.S. and the world body by publicly criticizing Bush administration policies, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told reporters.

Annan Backs Aide After Bolton Assails Speech on U.S.
June 7 (Bloomberg) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan defended his top aide, Mark Malloch Brown, after U.S. Ambassador John Bolton assailed the official for criticizing the Bush administration's policies toward the world body.

ANN COULTER
Coulter Does NYT a Favor; Reviews Own Book
(www.humaneventsonline.com) -- The long-anticipated book Godless: The Church of Liberalism was finally released this week. If the New York Times reviews it at all, they'll only talk about the Ann Coulter action-figure doll, so I think I'll write my own review.

Exclusive Interview: Coulter Says Book Examines 'Mental Disorder' of Liberalism
(www.humaneventsonline.com) -- In an exclusive interview with HUMAN EVENTS, Ann Coulter explains what motivated her to write her just-released book Godless: The Church of Liberalism (Crown Forum, 2006), how faith played a role, what “virtues” the Church of Liberalism promotes and much more.

Hey You, Browsing 'Godless' -- Buy The Book Or Get Out!
By Ann Coulter

Hillary Clinton Lashes Out at Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter Fires Back at Hillary Clinton

LIFE
Are You Able to Obey This Law?
By John Stossel
(www.realclearpolitics.com) -- Some shortsighted employers don't give jobs to people with disabilities, even when the disabled could do the work. Politicians thought the way to stop this discrimination was to make it illegal. That's what politicians tend to do. But in the real world, even Congress can't wish problems away. Their well-intended solutions create nasty unintended consequences. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is proving to be yet another sad example.

Tags: Counterbalance, Media, Journalism, Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Ann Coulter, ADA, Democrats, Republicans, California
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension

Normandy Honors the Memory of D-Day

U.S. citizen Robert Antuono of Providence, Rhode Island, kneels in front of the grave of his brother in law Edward Di Falco, at the US military cemetery of Colleville-Sur-Mer, Western france, Tuesday June 6, 2006, on the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Di Falco died on July 13, 1944. (AP Photo)
British WWII veterans attend a commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day at the British cemetery in Bayeux, northern France.(AFP/Robert Francois)
NEWSBYTES
Normandy Honors Memories of D-Day Landings
ASNELLES-SUR-MER, France (AP) -- American and British veterans marked the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day landings Tuesday with ceremonies and talks to schoolchildren about the invasion that changed the course of World War II.

French tribute to British troops D-Day sacrifice
BAYEUX, France (AFP) -- France's minister for veterans paid tribute to the World War II sacrifice of British forces on the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Senators Visit European Military Cemeteries
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A delegation of senators touring U.S. military cemeteries in Europe laid wreaths Monday near the graves of thousands of soldiers, including many who died storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in June 1944.

ALSO SEE
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation
The National World War II Museum
D-Day on the Web
Untold Stories of D-Day at National Geographic
French Page for 62nd D-Day Anniversary
American D-Day
D-Day, Normany and Beyond
History Channel D-Day 60th Anniversary

WWII Memorial view from Washington Monument (Photo by Richard Latoff)
Plaza at Night
The National World War II Memorial

Tags: D-Day, Military, WWII, War
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension

Counterbalance: Tue. 6 June

THE BUZZ OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

A U.S. flag is seen among the 9387 graves of fallen U.S.soldiers, at the US military cemetery of Colleville-Sur-Mer, Western France, Tuesday June 6, 2006, on the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
COMMENTLINES
On this day in history:
It seems many folks are wrapped up in the metaphysical meaning of 06/06/06 and have overlooked the true meaning of 06/06 as an assault on real evil that once lived in this world; it is the anniversary of D-Day. On 6 June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower broadcast the following words of hope to those oppressed under the iron cross of the Nazis:

"People of Western Europe: A landing was made this morning on the coast of France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force. This landing is part of the concerted United Nations' plan for the liberation of Europe, made in conjunction with our great Russian allies ... I call upon all who love freedom to stand with us. Keep your faith staunch. Our arms are resolute. Together we shall achieve victory."

On the environment:
You'll often hear the left lecture about the importance of dissent in a free society. The next time you're with some progressive friends, dissent. Tell 'em you're not sold on this global warming stuff. Back away slowly. You'll probably be called a fascist.

On Iraq:
Uncovering the veil of evil, an article from John Burns of The New York Times on what forensic researchers found in one of Saddam's mass graves in the Ash Sham Desert.

While the media and rights activists are busy condemning the US Marines, they overlook the the jihadists in Iraq who keep on targeting their innocent victims -- Sunni you live -- Shitte you die.

On illegal aliens:
Thomas Sowell reminds us that, "The laws already on the books at this very moment allow us to control the borders, to build any fence we choose, without consulting the government of Mexico."

On terrorism:
Counterterror officials worry about Americans seeking to attack the country from the inside.

NEWSBYTES

HISTORY
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation

The National World War II Museum

D-Day on the Web

D-Day Fact Sheet

ENVIRONMENT
Chill out over global warming
(www.denverpost.com) -- You'll often hear the left lecture about the importance of dissent in a free society.

IRAQ
Uncovering Iraq's Horrors in Desert Graves
By John F. Burns
ON THE EDGE OF THE ASH SHAM DESERT, Iraq, June 3 (NYT) Among experts on the American-led team investigating Iraq's mass graves, the skeletal remains lying face-up at the rear of the tangled grave here have been given a name — the Blue Man — that speaks for a sorrowful familiarity developed by some of those who work with victims of mass murder.

ILLEGAL ALIENS
Birthright sale
By Thomas Sowell
Many stores held sales over the Memorial Day holidays. In Washington, the Senate immigration bill has been selling our birthright for a message of political pottage.

TERRORISM
U.S. Keeping Eye on Homegrown Terrorists
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Despite efforts to seal U.S. borders against terrorists, the threat may already be here, according to counterterror officials worried about Americans seeking to attack the country from the inside.

Tags: D-Day, 666, Counterbalance, Media, Journalism, Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Iran, IAEA, nuclear, Arab, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, environment, Global Warming
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension