So this is how you integrate into a society?

new document here is designed to "teach" schools in Britain how to accommodate Islamic students... no mention of how the children will adapt to the school... nahh, that wouldn't be right...

(PDF warning!!! its 72 pages long)

the thing that gets me the most is that the black population of Europe and America fought for hundreds of years to be treated as equal to the whites... the Muslims now are demanding that they are special and deserve accommodations and treatment not given to other people... apparently some people are more equal than others...

from the document:

this is apparently a quote of a brittish law, which we will touch on later

Local education authorities shall have regard to the general principle that, so far as is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.

now i point out the statements "efficient instruction" and "unreasonable public expenditure"

School ensures that the meat supplied is from a reputable halal supplier.
Storage, preparation and serving of halal food is done separately from non-halal meat or meat products to avoid cross contamination, for example, utensils used in the preparation and serving of halal food are not mixed with those used for non-halal food.

hmmm, already starting to see the cost go up....

In accommodating prayer requirements, schools need to allow pupils to use an appropriate classroom or area for the purpose of prayer. Care should be taken to avoid allocating rooms that may have displays with distracting imagery, such as posters of the human body in a science laboratory. Schools should be aware that some pupils may request separate prayer facilities for boys and girls, as they may feel more comfortable praying in a single-gender group.

yep, theres something else that will cost money

Cleanliness and ritual washing (Wudu) is an essential prerequisite for all daily prayers and takes a few minutes to complete. Muslim pupils who wish to pray will need access to washing facilities to perform Wudu, which includes the washing of their hands, mouth, face, arms to the elbow, and feet. This state of purification becomes nullified when one goes to the toilet or breaks wind.
After visiting the toilet, Muslims are required to wash their private parts with water to meet cleanliness requirements, hence pupils will need to use water cans or bottles that are easily accessible from a storage space in or near the washing area.

how much you wanna bet that the showers in the school gym will not be sufficient for a washing area? yup, heres another cost...

The Friday prayer has a special significance and importance. It has to be performed in congregation and replaces the Zuhr prayer. It is obligatory for males and optional or recommended for females. It is different from the normal prayer in that it is shortened and has to be preceded by a sermon (Khutbah). The Friday prayer can be led by a suitable external visitor, a teacher or an older pupil. In its entirety the Friday prayer (ablution, sermon and prayer) should take between 20 to 30 minutes to complete depending on, pupil numbers and availability of washing facilities.
Schools need to be aware that it is likely that a greater number of pupils will participate in the observance of Friday prayer than the daily prayers. Facilities for the Friday prayer remain the same as those required for other prayers.

so the school must now allow religious leaders on campus to preach? man if a Christian minister ever stepped foot on a school campus here in the US, the lawsuits would last for decades...

Muslims are encouraged not to use Ramadan as an opportunity to avoid aspects of normal life but rather to cope with normal life under a different set of guidelines and conditions. However, schools need to be aware of some important considerations in relation to fasting pupils. Fasting pupils will normally get up before dawn to have their breakfast, which does interrupt their sleeping pattern.

so teachers should be understanding if kids sleep in class because they are too tired or if they cant concentrate because they are hungry

ahh yes, here it comes

Whilst the discipline and the challenge of fasting is to continue with the normality of everyday life, staff should exercise a degree of understanding, by encouraging pupils to avoid excessive exertion in physical education to prevent dehydration.

Teachers can take this opportunity to be more inclusive and teach pupils about Ramadan in religious education and to invite guests from the Muslim community to take collective worship or assemblies. Some schools offer their staff awareness training about factors affecting their pupils during Ramadan.

again with the inviting religious figures to the school.... if we did that to Christians here in America, there would be lawsuits till the end of time.

The same daily prayers are offered in school time as at other times of the year, but in Ramadan it is usual for more students to offer their prayers in school. Schools should recognise this by putting in place acceptable arrangements for prayer, including reasonable extra space ready for the first day of fasting, these arrangements should be shared with pupils, parents and staff so that everyone is clear of the facilities offered.

ahh yes, more money spent to make sure that you can practice something that has no place in school...

The school can value and build on this spirit by having themes based on Ramadan at collective worship or assemblies, and by organising communal ‘Iftar’ (breaking the fast) when pupils, parents, community members and teachers – both Muslims and non-Muslims – can all join in the ending of the fast and eating together.

hmmm, every time a school in the US tries to do this during Christmas, they get sued...

Fasting may make some children feel tired or drowsy, or even develop headaches due to dehydration. This may necessitate some Muslim pupils having to reduce their physical exercise. Schools may wish to consider and plan less strenuous activities in physical education lessons during Ramadan.

nooooo thats not special treatment...

It is inevitable that certain statutory and internal school examinations may fall during Ramadan. Schools should give appropriate consideration when scheduling internal examinations, since the combination of preparing for exams and fasting may prove challenging for some pupils.

yeah, like falling asleep at their desk or passing out because they didn't eat??

During Ramadan, the evenings can be a very busy period for Muslim families, particularly if the breaking of the fast (Iftar) falls in the early evening. Furthermore, some adults will spend their time observing additional religious activities, like the special evening prayers (Taraweeh) at the mosque. This may make it difficult for parents to attend meetings or other functions in the evening during the month of Ramadan. The scheduling of parent evenings before or after the month of Ramadan would be appreciated by parents and is likely to ensure better attendance.

translation.... don't send home lots of homework, the parents will be too busy to help their kids do it...

When Ramadan falls during the winter months, after-school detention or activities for a pupil who is fasting could mean that the pupil is not able to reach home in time to break their fast. Whilst accepting full responsibility for breaching school rules, schools should be aware that pupils are able to carry out their religious duty of breaking the fast on time. A drink or anything to eat is sufficient and many schools do make this provision available when required. Some parents may request that their children break the fast at home with their family.

oooo so the parents can decide if there child should be punished during this time of year?

In general, participation in swimming is an acceptable activity whilst fasting. However, for many pupils this activity may prove to be an issue, as the potential for swallowing water is very high. Some pupils or parents consider the risk too great and may wish to avoid swimming whilst fasting. Others may take the view that as swallowing is unintentional it does not break the fast.
Schools with a significant number of Muslim pupils should try to avoid scheduling swimming lessons during Ramadan to remove unnecessary barriers to full participation.

ooooo swallowing pool water is gonna piss off your god? and what about the non-Muslim kids that miss out on summer swimming fun just cus little abdul cant swim?

Whilst fasting, Muslims are not permitted to engage in any sexual relations and are expected to take measures to avoid sexual thoughts and discourse. Schools are therefore advised to avoid scheduling the teaching of sex and relationship education, including aspects that are part of the science curriculum, during Ramadan.

i think this has the potential for violating the "efficient instruction" part of the above referenced law

School offers it’s staff Ramadan awareness training about factors affecting pupils during Ramadan.

ahh yes, lets spend more money

Adequate arrangements are in place to supervise fasting children, during the lunch hour. These arrangements are well publicized amongst pupils and parents.

yup, gotta hire more people to make sure the kids don't eat...

In addition, schools may make the normal school meals a special Eid meal for all the children and invite some parents and special guests.

can you imagine the outrage if schools had a special easter or Christmas meal?

When organising either celebration or social events it is important for schools to consider the appropriateness of certain events, such as school balls/discos, fashion shows that might inadvertently exclude pupils and parents from the Islamic faith background.

translation... we don't like the prom because of all the uncovered females....

In secondary schools, changing facilities are always gender specific but almost always communal. Communal changing compromises the Islamic modesty requirements and having to change down to their undergarments in the presence of their peers and teachers can be a source of embarrassment or even be undignifying for many pupils. Pupils who may have problems with weight or physique can be subjected to unnecessary embarrassment in situations where there is no choice but to change communally.
Secondary schools can provide a choice for their pupils to change in greater privacy, for example, by including individual changing cubicles within changing facilities.

ahhh well im my old school we had "individual changing cubicles" we called them toilets

Some sports involve physical contact with other team players, for example basketball and football. Most Muslim parents would find it objectionable for boys and girls to play such sports in mixed-gender groups. Schools can respond positively to this concern by making sure that contact sports are always in single-gender groups.

you know, i believe segregation for race, sex or religious purposes is against the law... at least it is here in the US... a school has no business telling kids that they cant play together especially when such a decision affects the socializing of non-Muslim kids too

Some schools may have policies for children to shower at school after sports activities. These arrangements sometimes take the form of naked communal showering, which involves profound indignity. The practice of allowing Muslim children to shower in bathing costumes or shorts does not solve the problem if other pupils are naked in the same communal shower area. Islam forbids nakedness in front of others or being among others who are naked.
Muslim children should not be expected to participate in communal showering. Sensitivity and understanding by school and staff in these matters will be much appreciated both by Muslim pupils and by their parents. One practical solution in a school environment would be the installation of individual shower cubicles. In the absence of separate cubicles for changing and showering, Muslim children should be allowed to delay showering until they reach home.

i love this one, either spend more money to accommodate them, or let the stink...

Swimming is a requirement of the national curriculum at Key Stage 2 and becomes optional at Key Stage 3. It is a beneficial and enjoyable activity that develops a valuable skill for life.
Many schools, both primary and secondary, hold mixed swimming lessons but the changing arrangements, although single gender, are often communal. Some schools have taken the initiative of offering single-sex swimming lessons and ensure that their pupils change in individual cubicles. However, they do not always ensure that the accompanying teacher and pool attendants are of the same gender as the children. Adjoining changing and showering areas of the pool are sometimes used by members of the public at the same time as the children. This raises serious concern in that some members of the public may sometimes become totally naked in the presence of these children.
The practice of boys and girls swimming in mixed-group sessions or being exposed to complete nakedness of others, when changing, is unacceptable for reasons of modesty and decency to Muslim parents, as well as to many non-Muslim parents. Given the choice between mixed or single-sex swimming, Muslim parents would always opt for a wholly single-sex environment for swimming.

Schools should make every effort to provide a single-sex environment for swimming and allow Muslim children to wear swimwear that complies with the requirements of modesty and decency according to the teachings of Islam. Some schools have been able to meet these requirements in providing an appropriate single-gender environment and also allowing girls to wear full leotards and leggings in the pool. Provided these guidelines are adhered to, there should be no reason why Muslim children should be withdrawn from swimming lessons.

ahhh yes, more expense, now we have to ensure that we have PE instructors of both sexes, and we have to allow two separate swimming times?

Dance is one of the activity areas of the national curriculum for physical education. Muslims consider that most dance activities, as practised in the curriculum, are not consistent with the Islamic requirements for modesty as they may involve sexual connotations and messages when performed within mixed-gender groups or if performed in front of mixed audiences. Most primary and secondary schools hold dance in mixed-gender classes and may include popular dance styles, in which movements of the body are seen as sexually expressive and seductive in nature.
At Key Stage 1 and the early phase of Key Stage 2 dance is equated with expressive and creative movements connected with emotions or forces of nature. In this form it would be acceptable to most Muslim pupils and parents.
However, most Muslim parents will find little or no educational merit or value in dance or dancing after early childhood and may even find it objectionable on moral and religious grounds once children have become sexually mature (puberty). Some parents may consider it to be acceptable within a single-sex context provided the dance movements have no sexual connotations. As dancing is not a normal activity for most Muslim families, Muslim pupils are likely to exhibit reluctance to taking part in it, particularly in mixed-gender sessions. By the same token, dance performances before a mixed gender audience may also be objectionable.

wouldn't want anyone to actually develop an interest in the arts eh? i this one would violate the "efficient instruction" part of the above mentioned law

Music is part of the national curriculum and is required to be taught at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. There is a great diversity of opinion regarding music amongst Muslims. These are often influenced by local cultures and varying religious interpretations. Traditionally, music is limited to the human voice and non-tuneable percussion instruments such as drums. Within these constraints, Muslim artists have been very creative. Relying on the beauty and harmony of their voices, Muslims use music to remember God, nature, justice, morality and history.
Traditionally these types of musical renderings are called ‘Nasheeds’ and Muslims have been singing these for centuries, especially during wedding celebrations and festivals. Nasheeds have been significantly developed by Muslim artists as an alternative to potentially harmful forms of music, and have since grown in popularity amongst Muslims living in Britain.
All forms of music that may include the use of obscene and blasphemous language, encourage or promote immoral behaviour, arouse lustful feelings, encourage the consumption of intoxicants and drugs or contain unethical and un-Islamic lyrics would be considered objectionable. For this reason some Muslim parents may express concerns in the way music is taught in school and the extent to which their children may participate in it. Some Muslims may hold a very conservative attitude towards music and may seek to avoid it altogether, not wishing their children to participate in school music lessons. In such cases the school can show great understanding by providing alternative musical learning opportunities.

according to this, merely teaching a music history class would be immoral

Dramas, plays and artistic works for Muslim pupils are encouraged for educational purposes. However, parents may have reservations regarding participation in theatrical plays or acting that involves physical contact between males and females, the encouragement of gender role-reversal (girls dressing as boys and vice-versa) or performing in a manner that may encourage sexual feelings. Physical contact with someone of the opposite sex, to whom one could be legally married, is to be avoided as this is not considered acceptable according to Islamic social norms. Schools should avoid placing Muslim pupils in situations where they may feel uncomfortable and believe they are having to compromise their religious moral norms.

i guess we don't have to worry about an Islamic Romeo and Juliette

In Islam the creation of three dimensional figurative imagery of humans is generally regarded as unacceptable because of the risk of idolatress practices and some pupils and parents may raise objections to this. The school should avoid encouraging Muslim pupils from producing three dimensional imagery of humans and focus on other forms of art, calligraphy, textile art, ceramic glass, metal/woodwork, landscape drawing, paintings, architectural representations, geometric figures, photography and mosaic art.

hmmm so asking a child to draw a picture of his family would be immoral?

Many schools with large proportions of Muslim pupils often have very few books which reflect their faith and cultural heritage. Often teachers may unwittingly buy Islamic books for the school that are written by non-specialist or unfriendly authors and that may have factual inaccuracies and may even misrepresent Islam. Schools should endeavour to buy relevant and authentic books on the Islamic heritage and civilisation for the school library and for class use. This could be done in consultation with Muslim teachers, Muslim parents and local Islamic centres.

I'm betting that things like the bible are considered a misrepresentation... and lets not have any books that are critical of Islam...

Many schools hold fundraising events in the form of raffles for school funds or for worthy charitable causes. Muslims regard raffles as a form of gambling, which is prohibited according to the teachings of Islam. Schools should not encourage Muslim pupils to buy or sell raffle tickets. Muslim pupils and parents should of course be encouraged to contribute generously to charitable and other worthy causes.

well i guess that little Abduhl wont stand a chance at being the top fund raiser in his class eh? too bad, i bet he wouldn't like the cheap $2 prizes anyways.

and then we go into the glossary for one definition that i personally take offense to... this should be interesting...

Allah - Arabic name for God. Allah is the Maker of all creatures. He is not just the God of Muslims, but of all humankind.

nope, wrong... hes not my god... perhaps they might change that to read "Muslims believe that Allah is...."

ok, i didn't do all this because im making things up, but this is a sincere document being thrown at the British government... Muslims show time and time again that they are willing to accept compromise so long as it is other people compromising to them... they never want to have any give and take, its always just take take take and if you don't like it, you are anti-Muslim... im all for religious tolerance, but when you religious views are forced upon other people who don't share those views it is ridiculous... and when society is forced to pay large amounts of money to accommodate you, and the tax payers dollars are used for those accommodations, you are then forcing the tax payers to accept your religion. you have every right to your own religion and beliefs, but my life and religion should not have to change in order to accommodate yours. Read more!

How every hero should be welcomed

Thanks to Curt at Floppingaces

Date: December 3, 2006
Flight 1904, ORD - MIA
Captain Jeff Wallace
First Officer Gary Blied
We were informed at the gate that the remains of MSgt Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight for the trip to Miami. He was a 17 year veteran of the United States Air Force and had been killed in the service of our country. I went down onto the ramp and found the long box appropriately stationed off to the side in a luggage cart.. The curtains on the cart were pulled. I spent a few moments in prayer with him.
The captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went down onto the ramp, checked in with the crew chiefs to observe the loading of MSgt. Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into Chicago.
We called for push and it was immediately granted. Normally, there's a wait. We called ground for taxi and again - immediately granted. Normally, there's a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate take off. Passing through about twenty five thousand feet we were further cleared direct OMN (Ormand Beach) which is the first fix on the arrival into Miami. Not a word was ever said - but people were watching out for us.
The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful, until we went to turn off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed a little further down where an escort was waiting for us. We did as instructed and a Miami Dade Police cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our American Airlines Boeing 757 to the D terminal. The entire north ramp had been cleared of all aircraft.
As we approached the ramp we noticed the lights. There were at least a half dozen fire trucks, no less than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. They were all parked in rows with their lights flashing. As we taxied our aircraft to the gate, the fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft.
We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Captain Jeff Wallace and I went down to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with a flag. It was accepted by the honor guard which was comprised of members of the Miami Dade Police Department and Air Force Honor Guard.
After the "present arms" order (when all military and former military render salutes and civilians put their hands over their hearts) and the "order arms" order, when the salutes were finished, I noticed our jet. As I looked up from the ramp level I saw a face in every window. Not one of our passengers had moved until our fallen solider had departed the aircraft.
When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of the hearse and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a presidential motorcade and a fitting and probably all too uncommon show of love and respect for one of our fallen.
And in case I haven't mentioned this previously - it was 1:30 a.m. and I would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.
Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country the best in the world. I was so proud that night. Proud that my fellow citizens on every level worked to get MSgt. Richardson to his final repose. Proud of all the people who showed up on the ramp early that Saturday morning to show their respect. Proud that American Airlines knows how to handle this situation with humility and honor.
As you go through your day, remember that there are thousands of men and women overseas in the service of our country, far from home and in dangers way. Please remember that they have families back here who live every day in fear of the phone call or visit with the news that their worst nightmare has come true.
Be thankful for their efforts and if you know someone who is in the service - get their address from their family and write them and thank them.
Gary Blied
Pilot, American Airlines
Major, USAF (ret)

If that don't bring a tear to your eye, nothing will. If only every hero could get a welcome home that way. According to the Miami Herald, that might soon be the case... apparently the moving incident was relayed to the FAA and they are considering making something like that standard protocol. Read more!

The NYT finally gets one right!!!

STOP THE PRESSES!!! oh wait, don't do that, the NYT finally got a story right instead of lying, misleading and blatantly misstating the facts, they actually have an article that reflects the true state of affairs in Iraq.

Deadliest Bomb in Iraq Is Made by Iran, U.S. Says

The link that American intelligence has drawn to Iran is based on a number of factors, including an analysis of captured devices, examination of debris after attacks, and intelligence on training of Shiite militants in Iran and in Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and by Hezbollah militants believed to be working at the behest of Tehran.

No surprise there

According to American intelligence, Iran has excelled in developing this type of bomb, and has provided similar technology to Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. The manufacture of the key metal components required sophisticated machinery, raw material and expertise that American intelligence agencies do not believe can be found in Iraq. In addition, some components of the bombs have been found with Iranian factory markings from 2006.

2006???? wait that would mean that in addition to a large number of Syrian, Lebanese, Pakistani, Jordanian, Saudi Arabian and Egyptian nationals coming into Iraq with the idea of fighting against the US, we also have a sovereign nation supplying them weapons... now i don't know about anyone else, but in my book that is an overt act of war.

But it gets better:

Some American intelligence experts believe that Hezbollah has provided some of the logistical support and training to Shiite militias in Iraq, but they assert that such steps would not be taken without Iran’s blessing.

“All source reporting since 2004 indicates that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Corps-Quds Force is providing professionally-built EFPs and components to Iraqi Shia militants,” notes a still-classified American intelligence report that was prepared in 2006.

“Based on forensic analysis of materials recovered in Iraq,” the report continues, “Iran is assessed as the producer of these items.”

Again, this is an overt act of war.

The increasing use of the weapon is the latest twist in a lethal game of measure and countermeasure that has been carried out throughout the nearly four-year-old Iraq war. Using munitions from Iraq’s vast and poorly guarded arsenal, insurgents developed an array of bombs to strike the more heavily armed and technologically superior American military.

In response, the United States military deployed armored Humvees, which in turn spawned the development of even more potent roadside bombs. American officials say that the first suspected use of the penetrator occurred in late 2003 and that attacks have risen steadily since then.

To make the weapon, a metal cylinder is filled with powerful explosives. A metal concave disk manufactured on a special press is fixed to the firing end.

Several of the cylinders are often grouped together in an array. The weapon is generally triggered when American vehicles drive by an infrared sensor, which operates on the same principle as a garage door opener. The sensor is impervious to the electronic jamming the American military uses to try to block other remote-control attacks.

When an American vehicle crosses the beam, the explosives in the cylinders are detonated, hurling their metal lids at targets at a tremendous speed. The metal changes shape in flight, forming into a slug that penetrate many types of armor.

Now if you don't understand what these things are, they are modeled after the Armor Penetrating weapons that the US uses to take out enemy tanks, they are very powerful and very dangerous. essentially they are designed to send a slug of molten copper ad such high speeds that it basically melts right through the armor plate.

Among the intelligence that the United States is expected to make public this weekend is information indicating that some of these weapons said to have been made in Iran were carried into Iraq in recent years. Examples include a shoulder-fired antiaircraft missile that was fired at a plane flying near the Baghdad airport in 2004 but which failed to launch properly; an Iranian rocket-propelled grenade made in 2006; and an Iranian 81-millimeter mortar made in 2006.

Assessments by American intelligence agencies say there is no indication that there is any kind of black-market trade in the Iranian-linked roadside bombs, and that shipments of the components are being directed to Shiite militants who have close links to Iran. The American military has developed classified techniques to try to counter the sophisticated weapon.

Again this is a blatant act of war against the US and its allies.

“We are working day and night to disassemble these networks that do everything from bring the explosives to the point of construction, to how they’re put together, to who delivers them, to the mechanisms that are used to have them go off,” Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week. “It is instructive that at least twice in the last month, that in going after the networks, we have picked up Iranians.”

I know how we can "dissemble" these networks... bomb the shit out of Tehran.

While we sit by arguing the niceties of diplomatic talks with Iran, they have declared war against the United States. they are supplying weapons to enemies of this country and they are killing our troops. They are also lead by a person that has publicly stated that Israel should be "wiped off the map" and the the United States should be destroyed as well. And we sit by thinking that they are telling the truth when they say that they are manufacturing nuclear fuel for energy purposes... They lie to our face and we sit by and do nothing... God help us all.


UPDATE: 1 more article out now on the matter of Iran. From ynet news:

Defense Minister Mohammad-Najjar tells Islamic revolution rally, ‘We have new 2000 kilometer surface-to-surface missiles and new warheads to place on them;’ range announced places Israel within striking distance, but Iranian diplomat insists: Iran is no threat to Israel

And if you believe this one, I've got a bridge to sell you. Right, so the country that has publicly stated that Israel should be wiped off the map announces that they have new missiles that can reach well beyond the Israeli border and they aren't threatening Israel? These lying bastards are playing into the media like a orchestra... again I reiterate... God help us all
Read more!

No link between Iraq and Al Qaeda?

Thanks to FloppingAces

Ive believed for a long time that somewhere, someone was full of shit... no way that Al Qaeda was able to operate in the fashion that they did before 9/11 without some kind of support from a state government, and i suspect there were multiple governments supporting them

curt over at flopping aces has a good story on it all, and a hell of a list which i will re-print here:

• Ahmed Hikmat Shakir — the Iraqi Intelligence operative who facilitated a 9/11 hijacker into Malaysia and was in attendance at the Kuala Lampur meeting with two of the hijackers, and other conspirators, at what is roundly acknowledged to be the initial 9/11 planning session in January 2000? Who was arrested after the 9/11 attacks in possession of contact information for several known terrorists? Who managed to make his way out of Jordanian custody over our objections after the 9/11 attacks because of special pleading by Saddam’s regime?

• Saddam's intelligence agency's efforts to recruit jihadists to bomb Radio Free Europe in Prague in the late 1990's?

• Mohammed Atta's unexplained visits to Prague in 2000, and his alleged visit there in April 2001 which — notwithstanding the 9/11 Commission's dismissal of it (based on interviewing exactly zero relevant witnesses) — the Czechs have not retracted?

• The Clinton Justice Department's allegation in a 1998 indictment (two months before the embassy bombings) against bin Laden, to wit: In addition, al Qaeda reached an understanding with the government of Iraq that al Qaeda would not work against that government and that on particular projects, specifically including weapons development, al Qaeda would work cooperatively with the Government of Iraq.

• Seized Iraq Intelligence Service records indicating that Saddam's henchmen regarded bin Laden as an asset as early as 1992?

• Saddam's hosting of al Qaeda No. 2, Ayman Zawahiri beginning in the early 1990’s, and reports of a large payment of money to Zawahiri in 1998?

• Saddam’s ten years of harboring of 1993 World Trade Center bomber Abdul Rahman Yasin?

• Iraqi Intelligence Service operatives being dispatched to meet with bin Laden in Afghanistan in 1998 (the year of bin Laden’s fatwa demanding the killing of all Americans, as well as the embassy bombings)?

• Saddam’s official press lionizing bin Laden as “an Arab and Islamic hero” following the 1998 embassy bombing attacks?

• The continued insistence of high-ranking Clinton administration officials to the 9/11 Commission that the 1998 retaliatory strikes (after the embassy bombings) against a Sudanese pharmaceutical factory were justified because the factory was a chemical weapons hub tied to Iraq and bin Laden?

• Top Clinton administration counterterrorism official Richard Clarke’s assertions, based on intelligence reports in 1999, that Saddam had offered bin Laden asylum after the embassy bombings, and Clarke’s memo to then-National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, advising him not to fly U-2 missions against bin Laden in Afghanistan because he might be tipped off by Pakistani Intelligence, and “[a]rmed with that knowledge, old wily Usama will likely boogie to Baghdad”? (See 9/11 Commission Final Report, p. 134 & n.135.)

• Terror master Abu Musab Zarqawi's choice to boogie to Baghdad of all places when he needed surgery after fighting American forces in Afghanistan in 2001?

• Saddam's Intelligence Service running a training camp at Salman Pak, were terrorists were instructed in tactics for assassination, kidnapping and hijacking?

• Former CIA Director George Tenet’s October 7, 2002 letter to Congress, which asserted: Our understanding of the relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda is evolving and is based on sources of varying reliability. Some of the information we have received comes from detainees, including some of high rank.

• We have solid reporting of senior level contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda going back a decade.

• Credible information indicates that Iraq and Al Qaeda have discussed safe haven and reciprocal nonaggression.

• Since Operation Enduring Freedom, we have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of Al Qaeda members, including some that have been in Baghdad.

• We have credible reporting that Al Qaeda leaders sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire WMD capabilities. The reporting also stated that Iraq has provided training to Al Qaeda members in the areas of poisons and gases and making conventional bombs.

• Iraq's increasing support to extremist Palestinians coupled with growing indications of relationship with Al Qaeda suggest that Baghdad's links to terrorists will increase, even absent U.S. military action.

but noooooo, there wasnt any connection, not until bush lied... sometimes the bullshit is stacked so high that the MSM and the crazy ass bush haters cant even come up for air, let alone see that they are wrong
Read more!

A great example of what happens in socailized medicine

Thanks to SondraK

Women in southern Sweden will in the future not be able to choose the sex of their gynecologist. Allowing them to choose discriminates against male gynecologists, it has been ruled.

The new practice has been introduced by clinics in the counties of Skåne, Halland, Blekinge and Kronoberg. Gynecological patients in those areas will now be assigned a doctor of either sex, Helsingborgs Dagblad reports

Exceptions will be made in some cases, such as for women who come from parts of the world with 'patriarchal traditions' or for the victims of sexual assaults, the paper reported. These women could insist on a female gynecologist.

Women with less specific reasons for wanting a female gynecologists may be turned down.

The changes have been brought in because many male gynecologists have felt discriminated against.

Claes Lindoff, head of female health care at Helsingborg Hospital, said that the problem existed all over the country, but admitted that it only applied to "a hundred cases a year of our 15,000 visits."

Allowing women to refuse treatment by male gynecologists also causes problems for clinics, for instance when there are no female gynecologists on duty at the time or when a man on duty is better qualified than a female colleague.

First of all, the only way i can see that a male ob/gyn would feel discriminated against was that he wasn't being allowed to touch enough women... i mean realistically at some point, probably long before any advanced classes in med school, those guys figured that would be a job that would let them get their jollies... later they realized that it wasn't all that they thought it would be and became somewhat serious doctors...

All of that aside, this is what happens when you have a socialized medical system... the patients loose the freedom to choose... and it also makes it to where it becomes against the rules to say no to the doctor that you are assigned to... so if you get stuck with a crappy doctor... you are out of luck Read more!