Iraqs Inconvenient Truth :: Iraq War News Updates

Monday, 31 March 2008 By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

Noor Taha Najee gives 1st Lt. Michael Kendrick, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, a goodbye kiss near the end of a March 26 visit to her house in al Buaytha, Iraq. Noor, whose corneas are underdeveloped, has been blind since birth. The Soldiers of 1-30th Inf. Regt. are working with a nongovernmental organization in Los Angeles, the Eye Defects Research Foundation, to get Noor surgery that may provide her with sight. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Her hands run across his hand, her fingers explore his features. She asks her father: Is he fat or skinny? Tall or short? She is trying to learn about the man she cannot see, the one who strives to end the mystery surrounding him and the world around her.First Lt. Michael Kendrick, platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said it is his goal to replace the mental picture young Noor Taha Najee has of her father with the actual image.

Noor, a 5-year-old girl who lives in al Buaytha, has been blind since birth, a condition caused by poorly-developed corneas, said her father Taha.

It is a problem which runs in the family. Taha’s brother, Mustafa, also suffers from the birth defect, one that prevents the eyes from registering anything other than light sensitivity.

Although the condition is genetic, it is one that can be fixed through surgery. Kendrick, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., and his unit have been working closely with doctors to try to get something done for the family.

“To have her see her family, her brothers, to put a face to the voice, it would be a blessing,” Taha said of the opportunity to help give sight to his daughter and brother.

The Eye Defects Research Foundation, a nongovernmental organization based in Los Angeles, is already trying to schedule a surgery for the girl.

On March 14, the Soldiers took Noor and her uncle to the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad to get an evaluation done on the two, which showed a higher potential for success with Noor.

“We’re on standby now, waiting for a doctor in L.A.,” Kendrick said.

He said they are now trying to find a local Iraqi doctor who would be willing to travel with Noor and her family to California. An Iraqi doctor is needed who could be shown the necessary follow-up care.

Such a gift would seem appropriate for a girl who is described as very generous and giving by her father.

“She’s different from many other kids,” Taha said. “She’s always sharing. She’ll give you anything.”

It is a personality trait which has endeared her to the 2nd Platoon Soldiers.

“We’ve taken a real vested interest in the people here,” Kendrick said, adding his Soldiers spend a lot of time on the ground, interacting with residents. “We empathize with the people. It pays dividends winning the hearts and minds. It keeps things quiet.”

Noor has developed quite an attachment to Kendrick, Taha said.

“She likes to sit by him, and is always asking me about him and loves it when I tell her stories about him,” he said. “She’s only like that with Kendrick.”

As a father of two young girls himself – Presley, 3, and Parker, 1, – Kendrick said he knows the importance of family and providing for them.

While she may not be able to see what the Soldiers are doing for her, Taha said Noor can definitely sense the good will of Kendrick’s platoon.

“Love begins in the mind, not the eyes,” Taha said.

In other news from Iraq:

Iraqi Policeman killed preventing car bomb attempt on SOI leader (Tikrit)

Iraqi Army, MND-B Soldiers kill 7, detain 4 criminals

When you read the Sun story below make sure you click on the link to view the pictures.

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A MUSLIM bus driver told stunned passengers to get off so he could PRAY.

Published: 29 Mar 2008

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article976258.ece

Video: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article976258.ece

By ALEX PEAKE and ANDY CRICK

The white Islamic convert rolled out his prayer mat in the aisle and knelt on the floor facing Mecca. Passengers watched in amazement as he held out his palms towards the sky, bowed his head and began to chant.

One, who filmed the man on his mobile phone, said: “He was clearly praying and chanting in Arabic.

“We thought it was a wind-up at first, like Jeremy Beadle.”

The 21-year-old plumber added: “He looked English and had a London accent. He looked like a Muslim convert, with a big, bushy beard.

“Eventually everyone started complaining. One woman said, ‘What the hell are you doing? I’m going to be late for work’.”

After a few minutes the driver calmly got up, opened the doors and asked everyone back on board.

But they saw a rucksack lying on the floor of the red single-decker and feared he might be a fanatic. So they all refused.

The passenger added: “One chap said, ‘I’m not getting on there now’.

“An elderly couple also looked really confused and worried.

“After seeing that no-one wanted to get on he drove off and we all waited until the next bus came about 20 minutes later. I was left totally stunned. It made me not want to get on a bus again.”

The bizarre event unfolded on the number 81 in Langley, Berkshire, at around 1.30pm on Thursday.

The passenger said he rang the bus firm to complain but claimed it did not believe him.

He said: “They asked me, ‘Are you sure?’. Then they said they would get back to me, but they weren’t taking me seriously at all.”

Yesterday the driver, who said his name was Hrun, told The Sun: “I asked everyone to get off because I needed to pray. I was running late and had not had time.

“I pray five times a day as a Muslim — but I don’t normally ask people to get off the bus to do it.”

Muslims pray at pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening.

A spokesperson for bus company London United said: “We are aware of a reported incident involving our route 81.

“We are currently undertaking a full investigation into the matter.”

—————————————— American Congress for Truth P.O. Box 6884 Virginia Beach, VA 23456 member@americancongressfortruth.org http://www.americancongressfortruth.org Every day, American Congress for Truth (ACT) a 501c3 non-profit organization is on the front lines fighting for you in meeting with politicians, decision makers, speaking on college campuses and planning events to educate and inform the public about the threat of Islamofascism. To maintain and bolster our efforts, we need your continued solidarity, activism and financial support. We are only as strong as our supporters. We thank you for helping us carry on this important work.

Baghdad, 28 March 2008 (Voices of Iraq)

raqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Friday ordered security forces to show firm stance on militants, pledging “no retreat” to gunmen in Baghdad.

“The PM ordered the field commanders of Baghdad’s security plan to show firm stance on armed groups”, a statement of Baghdad’s security command received by Aswat al-Iraq-Voices of Iraq(VOI) reported.

The announcement stressed al-Maliki vowed “no negotiations and no retreat to criminal gangs… representaing a new facet of terrorism”.

The  PM on Thursday refused holding talks with gunmen and demanded their surrender or they had to face death.

Iraq’s government has extended by 10 days a deadline for milititants fighting troops in Basra to hand over their weapons in return for money.

More than 130 people have been killed and 350 injured since a clampdown on gunmen began in Basra on Tuesday.

Al-Maliki has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police fighting the Mahdi Army, led by  Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

US-led forces joined the battle for the first time overnight, bombing positions holed up by gunmen, the UK military said. Iraq Updates
 

Baghdad, 28 March 2008

raqi President Jalal Talabani and his Kurdish counterpart Massoud Barazani announced on Friday that they support efforts exerted by al-Maliki’s government to impose the law, calling for holding an urgent meeting of the political forces represented in the parliament to solve all pending issues.
“Iraq’s Kurdistan region is ready to host this meeting,” according to a statement released by the Iraqi presidency and received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“President Barazani emphasized at a press conference that the meeting with Talabani reflected identical viewpoints and unified stances regarding the recent developments,” the statement highlighted.

Earlier, Iraq’s Presidency Council called on people, tribes, and political entities to stand side by side with security forces’ attempt to eliminate all armed groups, and to put Basra back on the right track of security, prosperity, and construction.

Armed confrontations have been flaring up in Basra, since Monday night, between government forces and Sadr’s Mahdi Army militias. The clashes coincide with angry reactions in several southern provinces, where Sadr supporters spread.

The Iraqi authorities declared a curfew in many provinces and Baghdad to avoid further clashes that left dozens killed and wounded during the past couple of days.

Attack was to be bigger than London bombings, expected evidence shows
Mar 26, 2008 04:30 AM

Isabel Teotonio
STAFF REPORTER

http://www.thestar.com/Article/350909

The “shocking and sensational” inner workings of an alleged homegrown terror cell were unveiled yesterday in a Brampton court – and included the plotting of an attack “much greater” in scale than the London 2005 bombings that killed 52 people.

In a document made public for the first time, the Crown painted a broad picture of the expected evidence in the trial of a youth who pleaded not guilty to belonging to a terrorist group. The trial opened yesterday.

According to the allegations, the so-called Toronto 18 were attempting to secure a safe house to store weapons and practise military drills, and embarking on a mission to destroy the West – one they should be willing to die for.

Details of the alleged plot, which also included storming Parliament Hill and beheading politicians, emerged in a factum filed by the Crown that described the case against the accused as “shocking and sensational.”

The document contains transcripts of wiretaps and videotapes that include one conversation in which one of the accused speaks of the group’s ambitions.

“They’re probably expecting what happened in London or something,” he said. “… Some bombing in a subway kills 10 people and everybody gets deported. We’re not doing that. … So our thing it’s, it’s much, much greater on a scale … you do it once and you make sure they can never recover again.”

In arguing for a publication ban, the Crown said the evidence of these violent schemes and aspirations are so disturbing they could prejudice the future trials of the 14 adults who are also charged with belonging to this group. The accused were among 18 adults and youths arrested in a massive police sweep in 2006 for allegedly belonging to an Al Qaeda inspired cell. Charges against three youths have been stayed. Of the adults, 10 remain in jail and four are out on bail.

In response to concerns raised by the Crown, as well as defence lawyers representing some of the adults, the judge banned the publication of any names and a small portion of the allegations.

Until yesterday, all evidence in these cases was covered by other publication bans. The expected evidence remains to be either admitted or rejected during the youth’s trial.

While some of the allegations have already surfaced in public reports, a great deal in the factum had never been published.

Some of that expected evidence includes:

• Videos of terrorist indoctrination, in which the accused are exhorted to wage battle in the new empire of “Rome” in North America, “whether we get arrested, whether we get killed.”
• Wiretap surveillance in which they discuss their desire to “establish the religion of Allah and to get rid of the oppressors” and the need for funds to finance their goals of building a “team” to “go make an attack.”
• The construction of a “radio frequency remote-control detonator” that needed to be improved because its range was nine metres.
• Allegations the accused attended two training camps. One was a 12-day camp near the town of Washago, Ont., where they practised military-style exercises in camouflage gear and undertook firearms training with a 9-mm firearm. The second was a two-day camp at the Rockwood Conservation Area, where they donned camouflage clothing and made a propaganda-style video of their military drills.

According to the Crown’s factum, the alleged terrorists first popped onto the radar of police in August 2005, when two of the adults were stopped at the Canada-U.S. border in a rented vehicle while attempting to smuggle firearms and ammunition into the country.

Based on the rental agreement, weapons history and intercepted telephone conversations the duo had while in jail, police expanded their investigation. They homed in on a few individuals and contacted Mubin Shaikh to act as a police agent.

Shaikh, a well-known member of the city’s Muslim community, was told to attend a banquet hall on Nov. 27 and make contact with two of the adults. It was there that Shaikh met the youth now on trial.

Topics of discussions between Shaikh and the adults included the worldwide oppression of Muslims and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, accompanied by an adult making a “shooting gesture.” While there, Shaikh hugged one of the men and felt what he believed to be a firearm. Before leaving, an adult showed Shaikh a magazine with bullets, which he referred to as “hollow points, cop killers,” according to the Crown’s factum.

A few days later, Shaikh and an adult drove to a park, where he laid out his plans to attack various targets, including the Parliament buildings. He said he needed to assemble a group and planned to organize an outdoor training camp. Because Shaikh had military experience, he agreed to be an instructor at the so-called camp.

In late December, 13 men and youths drove to a rural wooded area about 150 kilometres north of the city, where they participated in military marches, obstacle course runs and firearms training. Shaikh used a 9-mm gun brought by an adult to teach the others basic gun safety.

The prosecution alleges the true nature of the camp was revealed by an adult in a series of lectures he delivered to the group – lectures that were videotaped and subsequently found by police when they executed a covert search warrant at the home of another adult in May 2006.

In the video, the man is seated in the dark under what appears to be a tent. He addresses the group passionately, explaining: “Our mission’s greater, whether we get arrested, whether we get killed. … Rome has to be defeated. And we have to be the ones that do it.” He goes on to say, “We already started striking cause you know what, this training is striking at them.”

On Feb. 4, 2006, Shaikh and an adult were joined by two others as they drove to Opasatika, a rural town near Timmins. There they had hoped to set up a safe house where they could practise drills and store weapons, but decided against it, the Crown alleges.

On the way back to Toronto they discussed Operation Badr, a plot to storm Parliament Hill, take politicians hostage and demand the removal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan and the release of Muslim prisoners in federal institutions, police allege. If their demands weren’t met, they’d “kill everybody,” said an adult, who also reminded the others that the prime minister wasn’t “Paul Loser” or “Paul Martin” – as they suggested – but was in fact “the other guy, Harper.”

After their return, an adult reported he had built the “first radio frequency remote-control detonator,” but pointed out it only had a range of 30 feet (nine metres), “which is not good.” In response, another man pointed out “30 feet away? So you have to get blown up? Might as well sit in the car.” He explained that if they could get the detonator to work from 300 metres, “then we’ll do it.” He then said that when the bomb went off on Front St., innocent people would be killed, which would be “too bad for them,” according to the Crown’s factum.

On March 5, two of the adults met with a man named Talib, hoping he would help them generate funds to purchase military assault rifles and other weapons, which one of them had already paid a down payment. As they attempted to recruit Talib, one man expressed their desire to establish “the religion of Allah,” adding “we’re not just a bunch of young guys.” The other spoke of the “global fight.”

Meanwhile, a second, more advanced training camp was in the works and took place at Rockwood May 20-22, police allege. A number of the accused attended, as well a man named Shal Syed, who later voluntarily met with investigators and offered a statement about an adult’s comments and the group’s activities.

Syed said an adult said the purpose of the camp was to “train” and to prepare for jihad. Again, an adult led a discussion circle inside a tent discussing so-called military strategies. One of the men asked Syed if he could teach others how to use firearms and grenades and whether he had access to such weapons. He also promised to show Syed recorded lectures given by Osama bin Laden.

On June 2, about 400 police officers conducted a series of arrests that garnered international headlines. On that day 17 men and youths were arrested. An 18th suspect was arrested two months later.

————————————- American Congress for Truth P.O. Box 6884 Virginia Beach, VA 23456 member@americancongressfortruth.org http://www.americancongressfortruth.org Every day, American Congress for Truth (ACT) a 501c3 non-profit organization is on the front lines fighting for you in meeting with politicians, decision makers, speaking on college campuses and planning events to educate and inform the public about the threat of Islamofascism. To maintain and bolster our efforts, we need your continued solidarity, activism and financial support. We are only as strong as our supporters. We thank you for helping us carry on this important work.

Saturday, 29 March 2008

Lance Cpl. Robert A. Hill, a light armored vehicle mechanic with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, kneels between his brothers — Army 1st Lt. Josh T. Hill (right), maintenance platoon commander, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, and Lance Cpl. Bryan G. Hill, an armorer with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group — during their first reunion in more than a year at al Asad Air Base, Iraq, recently. Photo by Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson.

AL ASAD — A mechanic with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to Iraq, leaving his family behind to serve his country. Little did he know when he got here he would be embraced with the company of his two brothers.“It was weird seeing them in Iraq, of all places,” said Lance Cpl. Robert A. Hill, a light armored vehicle mechanic with Delta Company, 4th LAR Bn. “I was basically leaving one part of my family to see the rest of my family.”

Delta Company is a reserve unit attached to 2nd LAR Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Army 1st Lt. Josh T. Hill, maintenance platoon commander, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, and Lance Cpl. Bryan G. Hill, an armorer with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, were informed by a phone call from their mother that their brother, Robert, was deploying to Iraq sometime in the spring of 2008.

Josh was aware that his brother, Bryan, was stationed at Al Asad as well. The brothers gathered and drove over to the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Center to see Robert. They waited 45 minutes to see their brother and the rest of the Marines with Delta Company, 4th LAR Bn., land on the flight line.

“I didn’t care how long I waited; I was excited to be able to see him,” said Bryan. “The reunion meant more because of the place we are in.”

“It’s pretty cool to see my brothers at one place at one time,” said Josh, 24, the oldest of the three. “Not many groups of brothers see each other at the same time across the world in a war zone.”

The Hill brothers grew up in Springfield, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C. They were raised by their mother, Linda, until one after the other graduated from West Springfield High School every two years starting in 2001.

“Our mom was okay with all of us deployed,” said Josh. “I respect her strength, because it’s not easy sending one kid to war, let alone three kids.”

Robert added, “All three of us being over here is very difficult on her. Everything she has lived for in the past twenty-four years is over here.”

Growing up, each brother was two years older than the other to the month. Josh was always the mentor to his younger brothers.

“Josh was an influence, but he did it by picking on us,” said Bryan.

“It wasn’t picking on; it was conditioning them to be better men,” said Josh in response to the comment.

Josh joined the Army after graduating from East Carolina University in 2005. Robert, 22, joined the Marine Corps Reserve after starting on work and family. Bryan, the youngest at 20, joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school.

According to Robert and Bryan, Josh was a huge influence in their decision to serve their country.

“Josh influenced me in a way to push me into wanting to join the military,” said Robert. “He paved the way for me and my brother.”

Although the two younger brothers didn’t join the same service, Josh said he has a sense of pride when thinking of his brothers.

“It made sense why they joined the Marines; it’s because they wanted to do their own thing instead of do exactly what I did,” said Josh.

“It was nice just seeing them grow up and see them accomplish things so major,” Josh added.

The Hill brothers’ meeting was fulfilling, but short, as Robert left Al Asad Air Base to conduct operations in the western Anbar province of Iraq.

(Story by Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson, Regimental Combat Team 5)

Saturday, 29 March 2008 By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

An Iraqi worker adds a fresh coat of white paint to one of the buildings comprising the al Nassir School in al Buaytha, March 25. Coalition forces are funding repair of the school’s four buildings. Before al-Qaida was driven from the area, the school was hit several times by mortars, causing structural damage. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FOB KALSU — The al Nassir Elementary School is once again a kid-friendly place where area children can go to study.The school, which suffered severe damage while al-Qaida dominated the area, is now getting a face-lift thanks to the efforts of local residents and Coalition forces.

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, paid a visit to the school to view work being done by a local construction crew, March 25.

In the two months since the project began, school headmaster Mohammed Hussein Mohammed said the school is returning to its former glory.

Both girls and boys in grades 1 through 6 attend classes in the four buildings that comprise the school. Currently, 17 teachers work in the school, instructing more than 550 children from the communities of al Buaytha and Arab Jabour, Mohammed said.

First Lt. Bryan Diminico, platoon leader of 1st Platoon, was pleased by the progress. In addition to aesthetic improvements such as painting and filling in holes in the walls and ceilings, new electrical wiring has been laid down and a water pump installed to provide plumbing.

“It is getting better-looking each and every day,” the Hollywood, Fla., native said.

Still, much work remains to be done, Mohammed said. The school is 50-years-old and needs to be refurbished. Work needs to be done on all the buildings, even those currently housing classes.

To both educate students and improve the school simultaneously, classrooms are being rotated, said Staff Sgt. Phillip Moore, tank commander. Once classrooms are renovated, students move in and the rooms they vacate are worked on, the Columbus, Ohio native said.

Diminico promised future meetings to discuss funding and improvements with Mohammed, who will also meet with a representative of the Iraqi Ministry of Education, Satar Mohammad Katham.

Mohammed said he is in regular contact with Katham, and the Government of Iraq is paying the teachers and showing a vested interest in the welfare of the school.

Such interest is necessary to provide a better future for the area, Mohammed said. Many adults in al Buaytha cannot read or write, something he wants to see change in the new generation.

“We need to provide them education and knowledge,” he said. “They need to know how to read and write.”

Saturday, 29 March 2008 By 2nd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division

A young Iraqi girl holds her new Beanie Baby, donated by children of North Hills Christian School in Salisbury, N.C. Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, distributed the toys to children from the Oman and Nassir schools in al Buaytha, March 24. Photo by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FOB KALSU — Iraqi school children in Al Buaytha received toys from children their age from halfway around the world, March 24.Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, distributed 400 Beanie Babies to children at the Oman and Nassir schools. Students of North Hills Christian School in Salisbury, N.C., collected and sent the toys as a gift.

“It is important that we do anything we can to make the children happy and help them, because the children are the future,” said Capt. Joseph Inge, a native of Richmond, Va., commander of Company D.

First Lt. Kirk Steiner, Company D fire support officer, gave his mother, who teaches at the school, credit for organizing the event.

“Most of these children have only seen their country during a time of war. It was great to be able to give them a small gift and see the smiles on their faces,” said Steiner, a native of Salisbury, N.C.

Yes, We Can Make A Difference !!
“RevolutionMuslim” Exposed

Below we provide you a link to a March 26^th Fox News story, about an extremist Muslim website called “RevolutionMuslim.com.”

If that website sounds familiar, perhaps you remember the email we sent out on February 13^th titled “RevolutionMuslim.com,” which began as follows:

“An ACT! for America supporter in New York recently came across a group of Muslims who were handing out flyers. She got in line to take one and alerted us to what was being distributed.”

This supporter is a “20 something” book editor who found out about our organization because she has been working with me on my new book, They Must Be Stopped, scheduled for release in September.

We found out about “RevolutionMuslim.com” because this young lady, while walking home from work in New York, saw a suspicious-looking group of men handing out pamphlets on the sidewalk. She got in line, was handed a pamphlet, and was shocked by what she saw. She did some online research and notified the FBI. She contacted us and we exposed the group in our February 13^th email.

Now this week Fox News runs a story on “RevolutionMuslim.”

Everywhere I go I tell people, “don’t believe for a moment that you can’t make a difference!” Together we ARE making a difference. Your financial support makes a difference, because your contribution, no matter the size, provides us the resources to educate, inform, and build our citizen action network. Whether you can be a regular monthly contributor or make a one-time contribution, your support is essential to our accomplishing our mission.

On Monday we’ll send you an email telling you what some of our chapters are doing in their local communities. Your financial support is making it possible for us to provide materials and staff support to this growing chapter network. With your help, we’ll have more and more success stories to announce in the weeks and months to come!

Yours in defense of America,

Brigitte Gabriel

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U.S. Based Revolution Muslim Website Spreading Messages of Hate

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,341811,00.html

March 26, 2008

On any given day, log on to RevolutionMuslim.com and a host of startling images appear:

— The Statue of Liberty, with an ax blade cutting through her side;

— Video mocking the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl, entitled “Daniel Pearl I am Happy Your Dead “;

— Video of a puppet show lampooning U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq;

— The latest speech from Sheikh Abdullah Faisal, an extremist Muslim cleric convicted in the UK and later deported for soliciting the murder of non-Muslims.

Read the rest

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ACT for America
P.O. Box 6884
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
www.actforamerica.org

ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure.

By Doug Goins

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This morning we are celebrating the power and glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For many people, however, Easter Sunday morning brings a major crisis of faith. Easter confronts them with the essential question: Is the Christian religion natural or is it supernatural? Some people avoid the question even while attending annual Easter celebrations. The following poem suggests the possibility of such superficiality. The first two stanzas say,

On the third day
we eat brunch
wear bright dresses
munch on jelly beans
and marshmallow bunnies

On the third day
we sing hymns
and go to church
if we can find a parking spot.

It is possible for Easter to be nothing more than that. But to those of us who are alive in Christ, we confess the third stanza of the poem with gratitude and praise:

And on the third day
this God of ours
recovers from death
in a way that changes everything. (1)

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul explains his biblical conviction that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead does in fact change everything. Easter puts human history in perspective. The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings to Paul’s present, personal experience creativity, vitality, and a confident hope for the future. Paul knows he will be raised from death to live eternally. The supernatural power and brilliant glory of God is consistently displayed through the Easter perspective of the past, present, and future.

Paul’s powerful confession of faith in 2 Corinthians 4:3-15 explains why people cannot see the supernatural truth revealed in the Easter story. Eugene Peterson paraphrases it as follows:

If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.

Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us–trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us–he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!

We’re not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist wrote, “I believed it, so I said it,” we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, and more and more praise! (2)

That incomparable power of God and the brightness of his glory was displayed in the resurrection. The apostle Matthew’s account of the resurrection emphasizes both dynamics. Although Jesus had already been raised from the dead, God’s power was still evident in the violent earthquake and in the boulder being rolled away from the tomb. The brilliance of his glory shines through in the blinding, dazzling white of God’s angelic messenger (Matthew 28:1-8).

Paul knew the story of Jesus’ resurrection even before he became a Christian, just as many people today know the story. While still an enemy of the gospel he was personally confronted by the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. In addition to Luke’s account of Paul’s conversion in the New Testament book of Acts, Paul himself tells his own story two other places in Acts. Both times Paul emphasizes the power of God that knocked him to the ground and the brilliance of his glory reflected in Jesus Christ: “…a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me” (Acts 26:13).

Creation, resurrection and conversion

Paul ties three events together: his own spiritual transformation, the creation of the world when God spoke light into being, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. All three are past events, objective and historical displays of God’s power and his glory. In 2 Corinthians 4:4b-6, Paul calls us to see

…the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

The Easter message that the apostle Paul and the early church preached declares that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of life. He died a voluntary death and suffered crucifixion as the Savior of the world. He bore our sins in his body on the cross, but he died as a victorious Savior. In his voluntary death, he won the victory over sin, death and hell, and was raised to the newness of resurrection life on Easter morning. The New Testament always links his absolute sovereignty as Lord of life to that event. The resurrection endorsed, proclaimed and demonstrated the victory that Jesus won at the cross. He died as our Savior, but he now lives as our Lord.

Paul surrendered his life to Jesus as Savior and Lord on the road to Damascus. For the first time Paul could see clearly God’s glory and power as it was reflected in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He also understood that the same glorious, creative power that spoke the world into existence and replaced darkness with light was in fact the explosive power and glory of resurrection that brought Jesus out of the grave. God transformed Paul’s life, and gave him a new perspective and dynamic for living.

My concern this morning is very personal. We sang in worship this morning:

Come and see the beauty of the Lord;
Come and know the wonder of his grace.
Come and see how much He cares for you;
Gaze at the compassion in His face. (3)

My question is: Have you seen the glory of God in the face of Christ? Has God driven back the darkness of sin and unbelief in your life?

A songwriter in the last century wrote:

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light.
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy days be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk,
ill traveling days are done.” (4)

Have you seen the glory of God in the face of Christ?

Resurrection life as our present experience

In the next section of the passage, Paul explains what it means to walk in Jesus, “the light of life.” The New Testament teaches that if we experience salvation from our sins through Jesus Christ then we have been given a new birth and a supernatural power to live. Paul explains that the very resurrection life of Christ is expressed through us as Christians. The amazing creativity and vitality of resurrection life can be our present, personal experience of God’s power and glory. Paul describes it as a treasure inside of us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11):

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Paul understands that the real treasure is the resurrection life of Jesus Christ within him. He is merely a vessel that carries it. Is there a more beautiful description of the Christian life than “we have this treasure in earthen vessels”?
Paul’s life was lived under tremendous pressure. His clay pot was subjected to the strain of affliction, perplexing confusion, persecution, catastrophe, and constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake. Paul understood that what filled him up and resisted the external pressures of life was the surpassing greatness of the power of God inside of him. The power that spoke the world into being is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and spiritually transformed Paul’s life when he met Jesus on the Damascus road.

The following excerpts are a wonderful description of resurrection power, both as it was displayed on Easter morning and as it can be displayed in the lives of people who respond to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Ray Stedman writes in Body Life:

We must understand that resurrection power is like no other power on earth. It is unique, and has no possible rival. For one thing, it is the kind of power that operates in the midst of death. It works when everything around it is dull, dead and barren. It works best in the midst of a cemetery, for that is where it was first demonstrated. When Jesus Christ was resurrected he came out from among the dead. Therefore, if you learn to live by resurrection power you can be alive and vital when everything and everyone around you is dead and lifeless.

Resurrection power is also irresistible. It cannot be thwarted or turned aside. It takes absolutely no account of any obstacles thrown in its path, except to use them for further opportunities to advance its cause. When Jesus came bursting from the grave, he paid not the slightest attention to the obstacles man had placed in his way. There was a large stone in front of his tomb; he passed through it. He himself was wrapped in yard after yard of linen cloth; he left the graveclothes undisturbed behind him. There were Roman guards in front of his tomb; he ignored them. He took not the slightest notice of the decrees of Caesar, or the orders of Pilate or the fulminations of the Jewish priests.

Furthermore, resurrection power makes no noise. Other kinds of power that we know usually make some kind of sound: they pound, pulsate, throb, hum, buzz, explode, or roar. But resurrection power is quite silent. Without any display or ostentation it quietly accomplishes its purpose though there is nothing audible or visible to mark it. When a Christian is living by resurrection power he does not advertise it or seek to dazzle others by its display. His effect upon others is quiet and unobserved at first, but soon there are evident changes that mark the inevitable effect of resurrection power at work: the return of life, vitality, excitement and joy to an individual or situation. (5)

How did the apostle Paul evidence resurrection power in his own life? We read that in spite of his afflictions he was not crushed. He never despaired in spite of perplexity and confusion. Although people abandoned him, he knew he was not forsaken by God. And even though he was struck down, he was not destroyed. He said the life of Jesus was made public, or “manifest,” in his own body by the way he lived. There is a tone of celebration in verses 7-11. Even though life had knocked Paul down at times, it never knocked him out. His life demonstrated creativity and vitality because he experienced God’s power and glory in his life. If we are God’s “resurrection” people like Paul, we are a lot tougher than we usually think. It is encouraging to know that we can cope with great pressures because we have the power of the resurrection within us.

During my years as a pastor at PBC I have seen many who are “in Christ” endure realistically and triumphantly with calamity, sorrow, tragedy, illness, death–losses of every sort. With time and patience, and with the Holy Spirit ministering encouragement personally and through brothers and sisters in the Lord they have bounced back with renewed faith and confidence. Are you experiencing that same resurrection power of Jesus Christ in your life?

Our confident hope of resurrection from death

In verses 12-15, Paul turns to the future and offers the confident hope of his own resurrection from death. It is the time when we look forward to hearing God’s creative and commanding voice call us to eternal life. At that point we will finally know the completeness of his power and glory. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:12-15:

So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore also we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

At the end of chapter 4 Paul begins a discussion of death and the hope we have in the resurrection of those who die as Christians. For Paul, the present experience of resurrection life is not enough. He writes in his first letter to Corinth, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:19). Paul’s unconquerable faith is spelled out against the backdrop of his belief that the same God whose Spirit renewed him daily was the one who raised Jesus on Easter morning. To the church in Thessalonica he writes, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thess 4:14). One of the most important implications of Easter Sunday morning is that if we are in relationship to Christ, we no longer have to be afraid of death.

Apart from Jesus Christ, the fear of death is universal. The comedy of Woody Allen speaks to his obsession with it. In an Esquire magazine interview, Allen is quoted as saying, “It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”(6) Most of the article shows that he is filled with dread. He says, “The fundamental thing behind all motivation and all activity is the constant struggle against annihilation and death. It’s absolutely stupefying in it’s terror and it renders anyone’s accomplishments meaningless.”(7)

The Easter message proclaims that Jesus rescues his followers from the horror of death. We will not only survive death, but we will be raised from it. We will be given new bodies like Jesus’ resurrection body, bodies with new and undreamed of powers. We will have no more afflictions, perplexity, persecution, catastrophe, and no more “being delivered over to death.” Revelation 21 is a promise of eternal life in a beautiful glimpse of heaven. The apostle John writes, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3, 4).

And on the third day
this God of ours
recovers from death
in a way that changes everything.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead does, in fact, change everything–the past, the present, and the future. Easter affects our understanding of the past–of salvation history at work in the creation of the universe, at work on Easter morning, and at work in our own conversion to faith in Jesus Christ. The resurrection brings to our present, personal experience the amazing creativity and vitality of resurrection life. And Jesus’ resurrection gives us confident hope for the future. We will be raised from death ourselves to live eternally. The supernatural power and the brilliant glory of God is consistently displayed in the Easter perspective on our past, present and future.

You can experience the resurrection life of Jesus–as your Savior and Lord

Paul’s concern at the end of verse 15 is that God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is spread to more and more people. I ask again: Have you seen the glory of God in the face of Christ? Has God driven back the darkness of sin and unbelief from your heart? Are you experiencing the resurrection power of Christ in your life? Has Jesus rescued you from bondage to the fear of death?

If your answers this morning are no, do you perhaps realize that you are spiritually blind, and that you are living in the darkness of sinful rebellion against God? Is your life dull, dead, and barren? Are you in bondage to the fear of death?

The good news of the Easter message is that Jesus can open your eyes to spiritual reality. He can forgive your sinful rebellion, dissipate your fear of what happens after you die, and he can give you life to the fullest right now. All you need to do is turn to him as Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10 explains that “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness [being made right with God], and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

What better way to celebrate Easter than to accept the new life Jesus offers today? Trust him as your Savior, surrender your will to him as Lord. Then you will know the thrill, the joy, and the security of the resurrected Christ Jesus living inside of you.

Later in this letter, Paul writes with a sense of heightened seriousness and urgency, “And working together with Him [Jesus], we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain–for He says, [God speaking through Isaiah] ‘AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.’” Paul adds, “behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is the “DAY OF SALVATION…” (2 Corinthian 6:1-2).

If you have never asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, I want to invite you to open your heart to him and accept the salvation he offers. Jesus says to you, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20). Please respond to his gracious invitation.

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (”NASB”). © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 1996 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

NOTES:

(1) Chown, Tim 3/26/00
(2) The Message: New Testament. © 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson. NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. P. 441, 442 (paperback edition).
(3) Come and See the Beauty of the Lord, © 1991, We Mobile Music/BMI, Arr. UBP. CCLI #44292.
(4) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, Horatius Bonar & John B. Dykes.
(5) Ray C. Stedman, Body Life, © 1973 G/L Publications, Regal Books Division, Glendale, CA. Pp. 64, 65. Revised edition © 1995, Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI. Pp. 91, 92.
(6) McCann, Graham. Woody Allen, New Yorker. Policy Press, New York: 1990, p. 43.
(7) Ibid, p. 83.

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Catalog No. 4638
2 Cor 4:6-15
9th Message
Doug Goins

Library

series: The New Covenant as a Lifestyle next message: Exercising The Power Of God previous message: The New Covenant Opposed From Without formats: pdf

Copyright © 2000 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.

Friday, 21 March 2008 Sgt. Ben Brod
4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

Sgt. Joseph Lagas (left) and Spc. Brian Weaver, along with Iraqi troops, search farmhouses near Patrol Base Summers, Iraq, during Operation Marne Rugged, March 15. Lagas, Weaver and other Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are building PB Summers near Suwayrah, 20 miles south of Baghdad. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ben Brody.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — In a bid to establish a formidable U.S. security presence near Suwayrah, Iraq, Soldiers began construction Saturday of Patrol Base Summers amid the ruins of a former Iraqi Air Force Base.

In a huge convoy of fighting vehicles and tractor trailers, Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, pushed toward the Tigris River from Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq.

In stark contrast to the push to set up Patrol Base Kelsey, Iraq, in December, Soldiers encountered almost no resistance and found the destroyed base uninhabited.

“I think there was a ‘shock and awe’ effect on the local people, to see so much combat power arrive so suddenly,” explained Capt. James Browning, Company A commander.

As part of the company secured the patrol base area, Company A’s Red Platoon and Iraqi Army Soldiers swept through a neighboring village, shaking hands and greeting their new neighbors over chai.

Their Bradleys and Humvees idling on the main road, Soldiers spent nearly eight hours walking from house to house by the shortest route possible – often through barnyards full of huge cows.

“It’s sometimes tough to tell when you first meet people, but the Iraqis seem pretty receptive to us being here,” said 1st Lt. Stephen Eldridge, Company A fire support officer. “Some people offered us chai and they were all waving to us when we left. We certainly did our best to make a good first impression.”

Soldiers from Red Platoon and Iraqi troops cataloged residents’ personal weapons and met with the village sheikh.

Soldiers from 703rd BSB will continue to bring supplies and Company A will continue to build up the base during the last two months of their deployment, Browning said.

“By the time we leave, I’d like to see the patrol base fully operational, to the point where a company can come in and set up their operations in 24 hours,” said Browning, who is from Waynesville, N.C.

The base will serve as a launching point for essential services projects to the neighboring communities and Suwayrah, as well as combat operations.

“Tactically, this spot is key to controlling the larger brigade’s area of operations – you can stage lots of equipment here and there’s a good standoff distance from civilian roads and houses,” Browning said.  “Partnering with the Iraqi Security Forces, we can make inroads into Suwayrah.”

Lt. Col. Majid, commander of Suwayrah’s 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 8th IA Division, sends his troops to work with Company A on joint patrols.

“The big thing here is providing essential services to the people – they’re proud of their communities and fought hard to kick al-Qaeda out,” Browning said. “The farmers here depend on their crops, which means they need water and electricity. With us here, we can help the Government of Iraq provide those services.”

Saturday, 22 July 2006

Iraqi Special Operations Forces: The Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade is made up of the elite warriors that operate in the shadows and take the fight directly to the hiding places of the enemy As a strategic asset they locate, identify, and destroy insurgent cells before they are operationally effective, thus saving innocent lives. More importantly they go after the highest levels of leadership in the insurgency and eliminate them. These elite units are made up of the most dedicated professional individuals that Iraq has to offer. As the most battle hardened unit in the Iraqi Armed Forces, they are equal to any Special Operations Force in the world. This strategic force consists of:

Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force: The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force is an elite unit that focuses on high-level terrorist and terrorist organizations. This is the group that operates in the shadows, rarely heard or seen but extremely effective. They conduct specific missions that have a direct impact on national strategy and security. Additionally, they conduct hostage rescue operations.

Commando Battalion: The Commando Battalion executes the toughest missions against the greatest odds, including conducting raids, airfield and port seizures, and reinforcing and supporting Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force operations.

Support Battalion: The Support Battalion provides the Iraqi Special Operations Forces the ability to maintain and sustain itself during continuous combat operations.

Reconnaissance Company: The Reconnaissance Company conducts around the clock surveillance of insurgent activities. The men of this small elite unit operate as a team or as individuals in a clandestine manner collecting information on our enemies. This information will be used to focus direct action operations by our Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force or Commando Battalion.

Training and Development Detachment: The training and development detachment conducts the screening and assessment of candidates seeking to enter this elite organization. They conduct follow on specialty training for all members of Iraqi Special Operations Forces.

March 19, 2008 This Sunday is Easter — perhaps the most important date on the Christian calendar, for had there been no resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity would have very little to commend it from other religions whose founders still lie in their graves. As the Apostle Paul affirmed in Romans 1:4: “He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Easter is certainly a time of joy and celebration for the Christian, but it is also more. For example, Founding Father Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence and a framer of the Bill of Rights, saw Easter as a time to evangelize his own son, telling him: “The approaching festival of Easter and the merits and mercies of our Redeemer’s abundant redemption . . . have inspired me with the hope of finding mercy before my Judge and of being happy in the life to come — a happiness I wish you to participate with me by infusing into your heart a similar hope. . . . and impart to you that peace of mind which the world cannot give.” (To obtain the writings of this Founding Father, click here.) Founding Father Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration of Independence, saw Easter as a time for reconciliation. He explained: “Jesus forgave the crime of murder on His cross; and after His resurrection He commanded His disciples to preach the gospel of forgiveness, first at Jerusalem where he well knew His murderers still resided. These striking facts are recorded for our imitation, and seem intended to show that the Son of God died not only to reconcile God to man but to reconcile men to each other.” (To obtain a biography of this remarkable Founding Father, click here.) In celebration of all that Easter represents, we just posted an historic 1910 Easter Sermon on the web and thought you might enjoy reading it. Click here to read the sermon. God bless! David Barton

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When Los Angeles law enforcement officials proposed a mapping plan to identify where in the city they would most likely find Islamic terrorists, Muslim organizations – joined by the ACLU – rose up in protest and killed the plan.

But as Robert Spencer points out below, the ACLU has been conspicuously silent in the face of news about a charter school in Minnesota that receives tax dollars – a charter school that, by all appearances, is an Islamic school.

We have begun to look into possible courses of action to respond.

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Muslim Elementary School Welcomed in Minnesota
by Robert Spencer (more by this author)
Posted 03/13/2008 EThttp://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25470

Can you imagine a public school founded by two Christian ministers, and housed in the same building as a church? Add to that — in the same building — a prominent chapel. And let’s say the students are required to fast during Lent, and attend Bible studies right after school. All with your tax dollars.

Inconceivable? Sure. If such a place existed, the ACLU lawyers would descend on it like locusts. It would be shut down before you could say “separation of church and state,” to the accompaniment of New York Times and Washington Post editorials full of indignant foreboding, warning darkly about the growing influence of the Religious Right in America.

But such a school does exist in Minnesota, in a different religious context, and so far the ACLU has uttered nary a peep.

Tax dollars are currently at work funding the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, a popular, rapidly growing K-8 charter school with campuses in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine, Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, as a Minnesota charter school implementing a statewide “performance and professional pay program” known as Q-Comp, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy pocketed $65,260 in state money for the 2006-07 school year. The school’s website, meanwhile, boasts that it offers a “rigorous Arabic language program” and an “environment that fosters your cultural values and heritage.” Whose cultural values and heritage? According to the indefatigable investigative reporter Katherine Kersten of the Star Tribune, “there are strong indications that religion plays a central role” there.

Which religion? Do you need three guesses?

The Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy was co-founded by two imams; is housed in the same building as a mosque and the Minnesota chapter of the Muslim American Society (MAS); features a carpeted space for prayer; and serves halal food in the cafeteria. All students fast during Ramadan. They attend classes on the Qur’an and Sunnah, or Islamic tradition and law, after school. The school is closely tied to the MAS: Kersten observes that “at MAS-MN’s 2007 convention, for example, the program featured an advertisement for the ‘Muslim American Society of Minnesota,’ superimposed on a picture of a mosque. Under the motto ‘Establishing Islam in Minnesota,’ it asked: ‘Did you know that MAS-MN … houses a full-time elementary school’? On the adjacent page was an application for TIZA” — the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy.

The existence of the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy is, of course, yet another manifestation of the witless multiculturalism that grants protected victim status to Muslim groups in view of the “racism” and “Islamophobia” from which they supposedly suffer. Latitude that would never be granted to other faith groups, particularly Christians, is readily given here.

But it’s even worse than that. According to a 2004 Chicago Tribune exposé, the Muslim American Society is the name under which the Muslim Brotherhood operates in the United States. And according to a 1992 Brotherhood memorandum about its strategy in the U.S., it is embarked upon a “grand Jihad” aimed at “eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and Allah’s religion is made victorious over all other religions.”

Is Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy part of this “grand jihad”? A clue might come from the name of the school itself. Kersten notes that it was named after the eighth-century Muslim conqueror of Spain. Islam Online praised Tarek ibn Ziyad in a 2004 article as a “man of valor, a man of extraordinary courage and a true leader.” He is chiefly remembered for one incident in particular. Landing in Spain, he ordered the Muslim forces’ boats to be burned, and then told his soldiers: “Brothers in Islam! We now have the enemy in front of us and the deep sea behind us. We cannot return to our homes, because we have burnt our boats. We shall now either defeat the enemy and win or die a coward’s death by drowning in the sea. Who will follow me?” The soldiers, crying “Allahu akbar,” rushed ahead and defeated a vastly superior Spanish force.

Does the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy represent the same idea for those who founded it and now operate it — the burning of the boats, representing the determination of Muslim immigrants to stay in the U.S., followed by conquest? In light of the Brotherhood memorandum and other evidence about the jihadist allegiances of the Muslim American Society, it is not an illegitimate question.

But what public official, in Minnesota or elsewhere, dares to ask it?
Mr. Spencer is director of Jihad Watch and author of “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)” , “The Truth About Muhammad” and “Religion of Peace?” (all from Regnery — a HUMAN EVENTS sister company).

Copyright © 2008 HUMAN EVENTS. All Rights Reserved.

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www.actforamerica.org

ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure.

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Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Parliament member Dr. Saleh Al-Mutlak congratulates a detainee during a release ceremony for more than 250 detainees at Camp Victory. Release ceremonies are held once a month as a continuation of ongoing efforts by the Government of Iraq and Coalition forces to foster goodwill and reconciliation. Individuals are released when they are deemed to no longer be an imperative threat to Iraqi and Coalition forces and the security of Iraq. Department of Defense photo by U.S. Army Spc. Michael V. May.

CAMP FUTURE — Dr. Saleh Al-Mutlaq, the head of the Dialogue Front Group of Iraqi Parliament officiated a release ceremony for roughly 300 detainees at Camp Future March 15 with a message of national reconciliation and rejuvenation.“I see in your faces and your eyes how happy you are, but your country is happier to see you back to help build it and build a new democratic Iraq,” said Al-Mutlak.

Also in attendance were Mr. Misha’an Al-Saadi, Mr. Ameer Muhamed, and Mr. Thamer Al-Hindy.

Release ceremonies are held once a month as a continuation of ongoing efforts by the Government of Iraq and Coalition Forces working together to foster goodwill and reconciliation. Individuals are only released when they are deemed to no longer be an imperative threat to Iraqi/Coalition Forces and the security of Iraq.

All detainee releases are conducted through a review board process where detainees have the opportunity to address their individual case personally. Prior to release, detainees also make a pledge to an Iraqi judge swearing to maintain peace and good conduct in the future.

“We are so happy to see you as free Iraqis going back to join your children, wife and your families,” said Al-Mutlak.  “You need to prove to your community that you are good citizens and be a part of the national reconciliation.”

While in the Theater Internment Facility, detainees had the opportunity to participate in basic education courses, religious discussions, vocational training, work-for-pay programs and family advocacy programs allowing for hour-long family visitations approximately every three weeks.

Approximately half of the detainees will be released today while the remaining half will be released within the next several days.

There are more than 23,000 detainees in the care and custody of Coalition forces at two locations – Camp Cropper in western Baghdad and Camp Bucca in southern Iraq.

Since the beginning of 2008, a total of 2,901 detainees have been released.  In 2007, 8,952 detainees were released.

Tuesday, 18 March 2008 By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON — Iraq’s air force, with help from a U.S. transition team, attained a tenfold increase in its number of weekly sorties and doubled the size of its fleet over the past year, a military official said March 17.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said the Iraqi air force in 2007 evolved from flying about 30 sorties a week to 300 by the end of the year. At the same time, the force’s fleet grew from 28 airplanes to 56.

“The Iraqi air force began the movement from just a dream on paper to a force that will eventually become a credible air force serving the nation of Iraq,” Allardice told Pentagon reporters here.

The general also noted that the number of Iraqi airmen grew in the past 14 months from about 700 to roughly 1,350, plus about 450 operators currently undergoing training.

Now in the 12th month under his command, Allardice lauded the “absolutely remarkable” progress of the coalition team responsible to the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq for standing up the Iraqi air force.

“When I showed up, the Iraqi air force was just barely starting their growth spurt,” he said. “Thanks to your United States Air Force, largely, with an infusion of about a total of 360 people and a lot of hard work on the Iraqi and multinational security transition corps (fronts) here, we’ve actually seen the Iraqi air force grow significantly in the past 12 months.”

In 1991, Iraq had the world’s sixth-largest air force. But coalition forces largely obliterated the corps during operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Rebuilding Iraq’s air force began recently, the general stated in a previous news conference, with the first serious efforts beginning in earnest in 2005.

In the past year, the transition team has transformed the Iraqi air force from a fledgling corps to an active force that regularly carries out critical transportation, supply and surveillance missions. On the ground in the meantime, the Iraqi air force established an operations command center and a pilot school, plus a technical training school and an academy that has graduated its first class of basic trainees.

Allardice said the current focus is on building an Iraqi air force capable of further supporting the counterinsurgency effort by the end of 2008, with an expected 100 aircraft flown by operators capable of providing three times the current level of surveillance and intelligence. By 2009, Allardice said, he expects Iraqis to be able to defend their air sovereignty, which he characterized as the next strategic milestone.

“We are also focusing on building the institution that can actually perform the management (and) leadership functions of that air force,” he said. “And it’s a pretty exciting thing, but it’s also a very challenging effort.”

As the Iraqi air force reaches for new heights in counterinsurgency and combat capabilities, the current fleet continues to inspire the citizens of Iraq, the general said.

“The first time I flew on a Huey, it was the look on the face of the Iraqis that I could see as I flew over them that made me fully appreciate the impact of having an Iraqi aircraft in the air visible to the Iraqi people,” he said. “That, in my mind, is more important than shooting somebody from an airplane.”

Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Iraqi Police officers salute their boss as he enters the new Iraqi Police station after the grand opening ceremony in Shat al Taji, northwest of Baghdad March 15. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti. CAMP TAJI — A new era of law was ushered in with the cutting of a ribbon at a ceremony opening the new Iraqi Police station in Shat al Taji March 15.“Our goal is to serve the people and impose the law on all the people,” said Maj. Gen. Kaadim Hameed Sharhaan al Muhamadani, commander of police, Baghdad. The large crowd in attendance hung on his every word and nodded in agreement as Muhamadani spoke about the security of the people, the importance of the new police station and what it will bring to the Taji Qada, which lies northwest of Baghdad. “This is about the security of the people of Iraq,” he said. “Stability and peace were brought here with the help of the Coalition Forces. It is now our time to keep that peace. We will keep that peace by imposing the law for everyone regardless if they are Sunni or Shia.” Breaking through the sectarian violence and uniting the Sunni and Shia people was the theme of the ceremony. This message rang clearly through the crowd and was echoed by Col. Todd B. McCaffrey, commander, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “The concern is the law, not Sunni or Shia, but protecting all,” McCaffrey said. It was just a year ago that the people of Taji were living in “dark days,” McCaffrey said. There were hardly any businesses open and people lived in fear of terrorists. Today, things have changed in Taji. McCaffrey accredited the peace and stability of the area to the work of the Iraqi Security Forces, which include the Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army and the Abna al- Iraq, or Sons of Iraq. “We are now in control of our towns,” Kodhom said. “We have strong defenses, and we will no longer let the terrorists prevail.” The police station project happened in two steps, said Sheik Nadeem Hatem Sultan al Tamimi, a local leader in Taji. “We first had to take control and rid our town of terrorists,” he said. “Next, we had to establish a police station.” Now those steps are complete and Nadeem hopes the people of Taji will be happy. They now live in peace, and he encourages them to abide by the laws to help keep the peace that was fought so hard for. The newly opened police station has approximately 530 police officers. The officers have gone through rigorous training and are ready to enforce the law, Muhamadani said. “We will do our best to impose the laws,” he said. “No longer will violence prevail.”

Friday, 14 March 2008 By Sgt. Jasmine Chopra
MND-C PAO

Boosting agribusiness, tourism and private investment by way of social venture capital were among top issues discussed at a March 12 meeting at the Iraqi Police headquarters in Karbala. Iraqi government officials, local businessmen, Multi-National Division - Center leaders and provincial reconstruction team members participated. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jasmine Chopra, MND-C PAO.

KARBALA — Boosting agribusiness, tourism and private investment by way of social venture capital were the top issues discussed at a March 12 meeting at Iraqi Police Headquarters in Karbala.

Iraqi government officials, local businessmen, Multi-National Division - Center leaders and provincial reconstruction team members participated in the meeting.

Security in Karbala is steadily improving, said Karbala provincial governor Aqil al-Khazali, as evidenced by the millions of pilgrims who safely commemorated Ashura in the holy city.

“Karbala is ready for investment,” al-Khazali said.

Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, MND-C deputy commander for support, agreed safety has improved and Iraqis are doing a good job of policing their own communities.

“I don’t have to visit Karbala often because you have proven capable of handling the situation,” he said to Maj. Gen. Ra’ad Jawad, chief of the Karbala provincial police.

With improved safety, local business leaders and PRT members are planning ways to link Karbala to U.S. Agency for International Development programs as well as lucrative private investment, said Don Cook, a PRT team leader.

Vast agricultural resources, in particular poultry farms, make opportunities for high return in the agribusiness sector possible, said A.A. Araji, an agricultural economist who believes employing the use of greenhouses is an efficient way for Karbala to maximize its agricultural potential.

Al-Khazali and local business leaders are eager to see funds earmarked for Karbala’s redevelopment make their way to local government instead of getting stuck in Baghdad bureaucracy, they said.

“We would like to see monies forwarded directly to our local government. We can handle such responsibility and we want to make sure promises for aid are kept,” al-Khazali said.

In addition to agribusiness opportunities, participants discussed ways to tap into Karbala’s religious tourism potential. Considered a holy city to most Shia Muslims, Karbala is home to sacred shrines. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, the pilgrimage to Karbala was banned. This year’s Ashura events (which occurred late February- early March) were largely peaceful, Jawad said, speaking through an interpreter.

Local businessmen hope reduced violence will stimulate religious tourism and persuade would-be tourists to fill hotels and restaurants in Karbala, they said.

Participants also explored ways of bringing private investors to the table. Plans for an unnamed private investment company official to meet with Karbala government leaders and PRT members next week were established.

“We want to see the people of Karbala succeed,” Cardon said.

In Other Developments Here:

Operation Golden Shovel breaks ground for a brighter future in Balad

Significant caches found in Anbar

Friday, 14 March 2008 By 1st Lt. Tabitha Hernandez
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

1st Sgt. Joseph Onove, a native of Eugene, Ore., presents a trauma kit, March 8, to 1st Sgt. Hussein, 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division. The kits are to be used to treat wounded Iraqi soldiers. Onove is assigned to the Military Transition Team of the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. US Army photo by Capt. Jerry Jones.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi army soldiers with 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, currently headquartered in western Baghdad, were presented six combat lifesaver trauma kits, March 8.The trauma kits were made possible by a Multi-National Division – Baghdad military transition team assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, which is based out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

“These kits will allow the Iraqi army to perform potentially lifesaving medical treatment at the point of injury,” said 1st Sgt. Joseph Onove, 3rd Bn. IA Military Transition Team.

The kits are designed to assist the Iraqi army soldiers in treating wounded troops while they are transported to the nearest medical facility, he said. The kits contain badges, dressings and other trauma treating supplies.

Along with the trauma kits, the Iraqi soldiers are also undergoing lifesaving medical training. The training, combined with the proper equipment, can make the difference in treating and saving wounded IA soldiers.

The IA medics are trained on using tourniquets, Israeli dressings and pressure dressings to control a hemorrhage, said Maj. Timothy Hayden, executive officer, 1-64 AR.

“We gave a quick briefing on the dressing and how to use it,” he added.

Combat life saving skills are one of the key training objectives for Col. Raheem’s, the commnder, for the IA’s 3rd Bn.

“We are simply ensuring that our IA counterparts enjoy the same chance of survival we do should they take casualties,” said Hayden. “They have trained medics and soldiers who are knowledgeable on first-aid; they just don’t have all the resources they need. Immediate medical attention at the point of injury is essential.”

“Now, IA soldiers can provide buddy-aid and combat lifesaver equivalent aid at the point of injury to potentially save lives prior to evacuating the wounded to a hospital or higher level of care.”

They will continue to work with and through Rasheem’s battalion medics and medical providers to sustain their CLS and medic capabilities, said Hayden.

Friday, 14 March 2008 By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — Police in Iraq’s Wasit province are gaining the trust of the local populace while assuming more responsibility for security, a senior U.S. military officer in Iraq said March 12.

“As far as security, I’m very, very encouraged,” Army Col. Peter Baker said during a conference call with civilian military analysts.

Baker, an artilleryman who commands 214th Fire Brigade, has worked security and economic issues across Wasit province since June. The province includes the city of Kut, which is located along the Tigris River about 103 miles southeast of Baghdad.

“The security situation has not always been this stable” in the province, Baker said.

Today, however, Wasit province’s new police chief is providing both a positive influence and results.

The Iraqi law enforcement official is “well-respected throughout Wasit pro