Diversity prevails in the blogosphere

Sabra brand Hummus is going to be on my table this Shabbos while Angry Arab wants you to boycott it.

New Fertilizer Process: "hurrah for socialism and song of Arirang for prosperity resound throughout the country"

Our Juche-oriented posts have had a fertilizer theme in the past. Here's a new stamp for the collection:

The fertilizer production process based on anthracite gasification at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex went operational with due ceremony on Thursday. [...]

A congratulatory message of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent to the builders, technicians and officials who performed feats in the gasification project was conveyed at the ceremony.

The message said that the completion of the project is a shining victory of President Kim Il Sung's idea of building Juche-oriented industry and the wise guidance of the party as well as a shining product of the inexhaustible mental power of the working people of the DPRK intensely loyal to the party and the leader.

The completion of the project is a solemn declaration which proved in the eyes of the world that no sanctions of the enemies against the DPRK can block the advance for a great surge being made by the heroic Korean people single-mindedly united around the party, the message said.

The WPK Central Committee in the message expressed belief that all the builders, technicians and officials who participated in the gasification project would work fresh miracles and innovations in the production and construction, single-mindedly united around leader Kim Jong Il, bring about a landmark turn in improving the people's standard of living and thus positively contribute to making hurrah for socialism and song of Arirang for prosperity resound throughout the country. [...]

The latest Haveil Havalim is a shining product of inexhaustible mental power.

Ain't Understanding Mellow: MPAC-UK and Yousef al-Khattab make up

You may have heard of the group Revolution Muslim, on whose website the now-famous threat to the producers of South Park appeared. MPAC-UK tore the lid off this group recently with a post entitled "Exposed: Israeli was behind Muslim 'extremist group.'" The "Israeli" turned out to be the "Jews-for-Allah" guy: Joseph Cohen/Yousef al-Khattab. It seems now that he has written to MPAC-UK to declare his true Muslim sympathies and credentials and his disassociation from Revolution Muslim. MPAC has responded with an apology:

We hope brother Yousef can understand that the author was simply doing their job in ensuring that Zionists, who are well known for infiltration of groups, are exposed at every opportunity. Thus the MPACUK writer acted with sincerity for the cause of defending Islam. Muslims must be vigilant in this time of oppression and attack, simply acting like 'pious' fools will not help anyone. Although this time the author was mistaken, the intention was correct - and we stand by it. We do not accept the criticism from some quarters, who have never lifted a finger in defending the Ummah but crow like old women when we sometimes make mistakes. How can a soldier who defends the oppressed take seriously the lazy, loud mouthed, bearded man who talks about Islam but never defends it. [...]

Having said that, in trying to defend the Ummah, it seems an innocent has been mistakenly blamed. The intention was correct, but the research conducted by a part time volunteer led to this mistake. Many of the MPACUK team were distressed when we felt we had hurt a fellow brother and instantly wrote to Yousef to find his side of the story, which we hope proves we had no personal malice towards him. Our sole intention ever is to defend the Ummah, nothing less. The MPACUK team were very glad when we heard back from him, and instantly agreed he deserves an apology. [...]

So Zionist infiltrators may be everywhere, but brotherhood prevails in at least one little corner of the Ummah.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Big Brother Breaks Burger-Bauble Bond

Only in California:

A California county is stopping restaurants from using toys to lure children to high-calorie, salt-laden food such as popular "Happy Meals" hawked by fast-food giant McDonald's.

Elected officials in the county of Santa Clara, in the heart of technology center Silicon Valley south of San Francisco, voted Tuesday to enact the ban to fight an "obesity epidemic" sweeping California and the United States.

"This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's love of toys to peddle high-calorie, high-fat, high-sodium kids meals," said Ken Yeager, the county supervisor behind the ban.

"This ordinance breaks the link between unhealthy food and prizes." [...]

There is no conceivable alternate reality in which families will not patronize fast-food restaurants. Kid's meals are a good idea. They are usually cheaper than the adult-sized menu choices and the food usually comes in smaller portions. So the family saves money, less food is left over, and the kid doesn't complain that he didn't get the same calorie-laden monstrosity as his older siblings--especially if his kid's meal comes with a toy--then he's really feeling joy unrelated to trans-fat and he's got something to keep him occupied. Off-hand, I can't remember a kid's meal in a kosher restaurant that includes a toy, but my family sometimes goes to a pizza shop with little coin-operated rides and gum-style-machines that dispense toys. So in solidarity with parents and fast-food entrepreneurs everywhere: let freedom ring and pass the fries.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Reuters says nice things about disgusting Hamas video

View the video here. Reuter's title: "Hamas hopes cartoon will press Israel on prisoners." Isn't that nice? They're hopeful:

Wielding art instead of arms, Hamas issued an animated video on Sunday aimed at pressuring Israel into trading hundreds of jailed Palestinians for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held captive in Gaza for almost four years . . . It marked a departure from Hamas's habitually fiery denunciations of the Jewish state . . .

Beer makes great leap forward

You've spent a hard day giving full play to the revolutionary soldier spirit, building a thriving nation, bringing about ceaseless miracles and innovations in construction projects and creditably performing your role as vanguard and a shock brigade. Time for a brew!

The Beer House belonging to the Kyonghung Restaurant in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang has been reconstructed in a fashionable way.

The Beer House is coated with tiles of pale yellow and brown colors.

The central hall has a two-step ceiling, the first patterned with barley and the second decorated with chandeliers.

Installed in the hall are fittings needed to serve seven kinds of beer -- 100 percent barley beer, 30, 50, 70 and 100 percent rice beer and two kinds of black beer.

The Beer House can accommodate 3,000-4,000 customers a day.

It, with main and auxiliary buildings, covers 2,000 square meters.

An Son Hui, 56, manager of the Kyonghung Restaurant, told KCNA she was glad to serve several kinds of fresh and peculiar beer to customers in all seasons.

The latest Haveil Havalim is glad to serve several kinds of fresh and peculiar beer.

The Elders put in an appearance at IRIB Radio

IRIB, in case you didn't know, stands for "Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting." I have been noting Holocaust-denial and general conspiracist looniness in the English offerings of the Iranian Press and in the utterances of Iran's major officials recorded therein for some time, but I don't see explicit references to the Protocols that often. Some things, however, are inevitable:

[...] But the question here is how these elements have succeeded in brainwashing the people of the world to portray themselves as oppressed, in addition to such other disputed claims as being intelligent and hardworking geniuses. The answer is obvious. This is all part of an elaborate and intricate plot, planned for years in order to achieve this nefarious goal. The Zionists have concluded that the most successful tool by which they can change of the mentality of people about them is to dominate the world news media and to infiltrate them.

As was mentioned before, the first Zionist Congress led by Theodore Herzl was held in 1896 in Switzerland where all members agreed on planting an artificial entity called Israel in the heart of the Muslim world in Palestine, by first controlling world news agencies, especially the press and newspapers. Today we can find few newspapers or magazines in the world in which the Zionists do not have control. When we talk about British newspapers, "The Times" emerges as the one of Britain's most famous dailies. The daily was first published in 1788, but its control soon passed on to a wealthy British Jew. Thus, the daily turned into a pure Zionist organ. When the daily got entangled in a financial crisis and was even closed for some time, it was purchased by Rupert Murdoch an Australian Jew. He could pay for the compensation and debts of the daily to the tune of 45 million dollars and thus the Zionists' greed was achieved. The Britons were lucky and cheerful of the deal and admired this Jew who had bought it. But they did not know that purchasing The Times and consequently its weekly sister publication the "Sunday Times" by Murdoch would be followed by the Zionist domination and control of the Britain's "the Fleet Street", the centre of the country's media.

In this regard, it is interesting to note what the protocols of the Zionist Elders had planned a century ago. The protocol on the press and media reads:

"The other great power is the press. By ceaselessly repeating certain ideas, the press in the end makes them considered as truths. The theatre renders similar services, everywhere theatre and press follow our directives. By an indefatigable campaign in favour of the so-called Democratic form of government, we will divide the Gentiles amongst themselves in political parties, we shall thus destroy the unity of their nations, we will sow the seeds of discord. Powerless, they will have to accept the law of our bank, always united, always devoted to our cause." [...]

The "so-called Democratic form of government," "political parties"--all our doing? Ah, of course! How could there be any doubt?

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Hamas discovers Zionist plot involving "250 thousand dollars for the dissemination of moral corruption among girls in Gaza"

That's from the auto-translated title of this article at PalToday. EOZ sorts out the rest of the article.

"Israel’s long national nightmare is over"

According to this techie site:

Israel’s long national nightmare is over – their ban on iPads has been lifted. The country was banning iPads from entering their country on the grounds that it interfered with Israeli WiFi standards. Visitors who tried to enter the country with them had them taken and ones being shipped into the country were taken at customs. But now, after "Intensive Technical Scrutiny" the country has decided to change it’s stance on them. [...]

We also learn that people who had their iPads confiscated "were being charged a daily ’storage fee.’" Will they get their fee refunded? The rest of the article is worth reading, but you won't find out.

The Further Adventures of George Galloway

The folks at Harry's Place remind us that Galloway appears as a "patron" of the Palestine Telegraph site. British ex-MP Jenny Tonge had her patron listing removed, evidently, after the site featured a David Duke video. Galloway's still there. Meanwhile, anti-voting Muslims have mounted another attack on Galloway's Respect Party:

THE RESPECT party's Bethnal Green headquarters have been defaced with stickers telling people not to vote.

Labels have been stuck over photos of the faces of Respect's parliamentary candidates George Galloway and Abjol Miah in the window of the office in Club Row.

Mr Galloway believes the offices have been targeted by extremists who want to intimidate Muslims so they do not vote.

He said: "It's an attempt to intimidate people out of the democratic process and it's extremely dangerous. If it's not a criminal offence to try and stop people voting in a democracy then it should be.

"My message to Muslims is that voting far from being forbidden is a duty and whoever people vote for they should vote.["]

I didn't know that Galloway was qualified to issue rulings on Muslim law.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

New horizons in reconciliation: Iranian officials obsessed with Obama's nuclear "threat" for weeks

We noted one of many statements inspired by Obama's "threat" a few days ago. Here's one from the Supreme Leader, via PressTV: "Leader blasts US nuke threat on Iran":

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said Washington's nuclear threat will leave a 'dark spot' in US history.

"International bodies cannot turn a blind eye to this threat," Ayatollah Khamenei said on Wednesday.

"No one should dare to threaten humanity in this way. We will not allow the US to revive its evil dominance over Iran with such threats," the Leader added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said US threats would have no effect on the Iranian nation, but will leave a 'dark spot' on the political record of the United States.

Earlier this month, US President Barack Obama released a new US Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) that among other things restricted the use of nuclear arms against most non-atomic states.

The restriction, however, did not apply to countries that are, from Washington's viewpoint, in non-compliance with non-proliferation treaties.

Just before the NPR was issued, Obama told The New York Times that the loophole would apply to what he called "outliers like Iran and North Korea."

I don't mind if Obama takes a tough stance towards Iran, but it isn't exactly reassuring to see him do it by accident in the course of something meant to lower nuclear tensions.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Pine needle soda: the Juche drink

The great leaps forward never end:

Efficacious drinks of pine needles have been produced by the Natural Health Foodstuffs Factory in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

A patent technology was applied to the production of the nutritious drinks with unique and natural flavor of pine needle.

A research team of the factory had engaged in development of pine-needle drinks for years to finally succeed in taking pine-needle extract keeping all of its nutritious elements.

Among the products of the factory are tea and sweet soda water made of pine-needles.

The factory is buckling down to improving the quality of the drinks.

They have their work cut out for them.

The smell of Supreme Leader pronouncements in the morning

Iran's totalitarian gloop doesn't quite have the zing of North Korea's, but they are working closely with North Korean advisers. No doubt, they too, will soon be rushing forward like the wind in great revolutionary upsurge.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has stressed the role of law, justice and knowledge as he set new policies for administrative affairs.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has ordered the heads of Parliament, government and judiciary as well as the Expediency Council and the Armed Forces to periodically report on the implementation of these policies.

The new policies stress the role of justice and knowledge in top administrative positions to improve the overall quality in government bodies.

The Leader also demanded the further development of an “electronic administrative system” for the benefit of the public.

Ayatollah Khamenei also advised the officials in charge of the administrative bodies to avoid “favoritism” in handling public affairs.

Angry Arab News Service post title of the day

"Oh, please. As if there was ever a left in Israel"

Ma'an: "Salafi leader in Gaza: We count over 11,000 members"

New developments. Hamas proved to be rather forgiving about that "emirate" declaration and its aftermath:

We, the Salafists, count more than 11,000 members who carry with them jihadist teachings from both Ayman At-Thawahri and Osama Bin Laden," said Abu Al-Hareth, leader of the Jund Ansar Allah, during an interview in his poorly lit Gaza home.

"Of this number, 70 percent are members of the Jaljalat, a group made up of former Al-Qassam Brigades and Hamas affiliates," he explained.

The Salafist movement shot to public attention in the summer of 2009, when an Imam declared Gaza an "Islamic emirate" during a Friday sermon in southern Gaza. Fierce clashes ensued between Hamas security forces and Salafist affiliates, leaving 16 dead.

The group is widely considered an extremist militant bloc, extracting ideas and beliefs from Al-Qaida's call for Jihad and the implementation of Shariah (Islamic) law globally. [...]

Hamas' security forces, he said, are "active in confronting the Salafists ... out of fear of the spread of its thought among many committed young men, leading to many defecting from Hamas."

Despite these measures, Abu Al-Hareth said, the Salafist groups will continue to grow, recruit and operate.

"We demand a Shariah dialogue with Hamas - not a political or security-related one. The [Gaza] government has made many mistakes which has increased tensions. We criticize Hamas for not applying Islamic Shariah."

That's a funny position for Hamas to be in. The Left tends to point to this sort of thing as evidence that the Gazans are being "radicalized" by the blockade. I think Hamas's own cultivation of notions of Islamic purity and Jihad have created a certain receptivity to competing purveyors of the same things. Or maybe Salafists will come in handy when they need to present themselves as the "pragmatic" Islamists.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

I believe Limbaugh was a little tongue-in-cheek

Certain lefties are not amused. The Earth won't open up and swallow you if you check out the latest Haveil Havalim and KCC. (h/t: memeorandum) Update: The Muslim-left convergence?

Fars News: "Iran Ready to Demolish US Forces"

The picture nicely compliments the title, don't you think? Anyway, whatever Obama's Iran-strategy is, I don't think it's working:

A senior Iranian military commander downplayed recent speculations about a possible US attack on Iran, and said that Iranian forces have long been waiting to destroy the US forces and equipments in the region.

"First we should wait and see whether they (enemies) are able to take such a move (attack on Iran) or not since we have been prepared to destroy the US forces and equipments in the region for the last 10 years," Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Hassan Firouzabadi told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference on nuclear disarmament here in Tehran on Saturday.

"As I have already announced, if the US attacks Iran, none of its soldiers will go back home alive," the commander went on saying.

Firouzabadi also said that such war rhetoric by the US indicates that Washington is unable to confront the nations' vigilance and their movement towards restoration of their rights and spread of justice throughout the world.

The remarks by the Iranian General followed a US nuclear threat against Iran. The United States pledged never to use nuclear weapons against the states that comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaties (NPT) as part of a much-anticipated review of nuclear arms strategy released last week.

But the new pledge leaves open a nuclear strike against countries that have signed on to a global NPT but stand accused of violating its terms.

Obama, in an interview with the New York Times, said outright that the loophole would apply to "outliers like Iran and North Korea" that the US believes are developing nuclear weapons.

Obama's statements seems to directly inspire much of Iran's anti-US propaganda. When he made his remark about not "meddling" in Iran's affairs, the word "meddling" became the constant refrain of Iranian official statements.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Spanish Castle Magic: Scammers shine diesel-powered arc lights on solar panels, reap fortune in "green" subsidies

I love this story. Somehow it illustrates the triumph of the human spirit. (h/t: Tim Blair)

Golestaninejad: Iranian Jews "grateful to the Messenger of Islam"--yeah, right.

Articles like this one appear periodically in the Iranian press. Does Iran have any semblance of a system for educating Rabbis? Who gave Rabbi Golestaninejad semicha?

In a meeting with members of the IRI parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, Rabbi Mashallah Golestaninejad said, "I have repeatedly declared that we are against pro-Zionism rabbis and the books containing their decrees should be burnt."

Receiving members of the committee in the Society of Iranian Jews, Rabbi Golestaninejad said "I am an Iranian before being a Jew," adding that "We are grateful to the Messenger of Islam, for he has thought us love of humanity."

Rabbi Golestaninejad also added that Judaism had nothing to do with Zionism and said in their opinion Zionists were against humanity. He condemned Zionist regime's atrocities in Gaza.

"It says in the Ten Commandments that "Thou shalt not kill," and if a rabbi orders the killing of the gentile his book of religious decrees should be burnt," Rabbi Golestaninejad added.

He also pointed to nine Iranian Jews who have lost their lives defending Iran against the Iraqi invasion of Iran.

Today's pathetic gurgle from the Juche abyss

They probably wish they could dash like the wind over the border into South Korea:

The Juche idea, the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung, serves as the only guiding idea of the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution and as the lifeline for building a great prosperous and powerful nation. All the people should glorify the honor of being his soldiers and disciples and dash like the wind toward the victory in the drive to build a thriving nation under the uplifted banner of the Juche idea.

Rodong Sinmun Monday stresses this in an editorial.

To glorify the Juche idea in practice represents the greatest loyalty and noblest moral obligation to the President and it is a sacred work for victoriously advancing the Korean revolution, pioneered by the President, along the track of independence forever, it notes.

It is also the worthwhile work for demonstrating the DPRK as a thriving socialist country where the wishes of the President are translated into reality, the editorial says, and goes on:

To glorify the Juche idea in practice just means to advance the Korean revolution as instructed and intended by the President and glorify the DPRK as a thriving socialist nation of Juche where the long-cherished ideals of the people are coming to reality in keeping with his intention and desire.

As they are guided by the Juche idea, the Korean people have emerged the people strong in the spirit of national independence and the DPRK has demonstrated its might as a power of independence and a fortress of socialism.

Now our country witnesses the eye-opening and spectacular era in which the Juche idea brings excellent results and all ideals of the people come true.

All servicepersons and people should dynamically advance along the road indicated by the Juche idea, deeply cherishing the great national pride and honor of living and making revolution in the homeland of the great idea of era.

The army and people of the DPRK are sure to win in the drive for building a thriving nation as there are the great Juche idea whose brilliant rays light the road ahead of them and the seasoned and tested leadership of the headquarters of the revolution.

I hear they expect to have the starvation problem relatively under control in a decade or two.

New horizons in jurisprudence: Iran to "sue Obama's statements at UN"

Consider the staggering legal possibilities that would be opened up if this suit is successful. To this date, lawsuits against intangible entities such as statements have met with limited success although a lawsuit against the Albanian national anthem went surprisingly far before running aground on the circumstance that the anthem was unable to hire legal counsel:

IRI Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran will legally sue the American President's statements through its mission to the United Nations and diplomatic means.

Addressing his weekly media conference, Mehmanparast said that these statements should be recorded as a document in the United Nations to show that some countries including America and France honor using nuclear weapons as symbol of state terrorism.

Barak Obama read a statement last week in which he implicitly threatened the Islamic Republic with a nuclear attack for what he claimed to be Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons under a mask of peaceful nuclear energy. [...]

I think the Mullahs are enjoying themselves these days.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Benny Morris on Hamas imposition of Sharia in Gaza

Benny Morris has a very interesting review of Russia and the Arabs, a new book by Soviet-era foreign minister, diplomat, and "KGB operative," Yevgeny Primakov. Morris not only offers numerous corrections to Primakov's overly rosy account of the Soviet role in the Middle East, but also his "naïveté (or dissimulation)" on such topics as Hamas propensities to impose Sharia:

Hamas may not have announced the imposition of sharia law, but it has gradually and relentlessly imposed it in the area that it has controlled since 2007, the Gaza Strip, without fanfare, without proclamations. Women are forced to wear headscarves; separate male and female venues are enforced (in private weddings, at beaches, and so on); no cinemas operate; and Christians and their sites (a library, a bookshop, a school) are intimidated and forced out or closed down. Sometimes it is the Hamas police that are the explicit agents of coercion; and sometimes Hamas allows “extremist” (to use Primakov’s phrase) gangs to do the dirty work. But the work gets done—and so Gaza increasingly resembles Iran . . .

See the rest of the review for other realities that should be pointed out more often.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

George Galloway assaulted, called "filthy kaffir"--what's the world coming to?

I am reminded of when Robert Fisk got beaten up in Afghanistan. Don't laugh--it's the old Hamas-hugging gasbag's great opportunity to proclaim that he, too, opposes extremism. A press release from Galloway's Respect Party:

George Galloway was set upon by a group of Muslim extremists while campaigning in East London this afternoon. Three men, believed to belong to the extreme sect Islam4UK, the latest name for Al-Muhajiroun, were arrested and subsequently charged with public order offences.

Galloway, who is standing in the Poplar and Limehouse constituency, was with a party of supporters in Watney Market around 3pm when he and his colleagues were first abused and then attacked by the group.

"They called me a filthy Kaffir" said Galloway, "and shouted that no one should shake the 'filthy Kaffir's hand'. This lot are the latest incarnation of the banned group Al-Muhajiroun. They don't want Muslims to vote, they don't believe in democracy, and because I encourage Muslims to vote and take a full part in our society they hate me. My party, Respect, is the antidote to these despicable extremists."

Galloway's assistant Kevin Ovenden had his phone smashed in the incident and other supporters were abused and jostled.

Galloway was also attacked, held hostage and received death threats from Al-Muhajiroun, then called Al-Gourabaa, in the 2005 General Election.

He was taken hostage and then released? That's the worst thing about extremists: They always let you down.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Dancing parties demonstrate "militant stamina of young vanguard"

I don't just post any old nonsense from the (North) Korean News site. I particularly like articles that include lots of sycophantic song titles:

Dancing parties of youth and students took place across the country on Friday to celebrate the 17th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

Youth and students merrily danced to the tune of "Glory to General", "Confetti of Best Wishes" in the dancing places in Pyongyang including the plazas of the Party Founding Memorial Tower, the April 25 House of Culture and the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium.

They presented beautiful dance in deep reverence for Kim Jong Il who has glorified the dignity and honor of Kim Il Sung's nation by pursuing the unique Songun politics and ushered in a remarkable era in which the people's ideals are translated into reality on this land.

Such passionate and dynamic songs as "Pride of Youth", "Push Back the Frontiers of Latest Science" and "Let's Meet Each Other on the Front" reflecting the ardent zeal of young people to display wisdom and pluck in every difficult and labor-consuming site for building a thriving nation with firm confidence and optimism about sure victory added to the festive atmosphere of dancing parties.

Similar dancing parties were held in different parts of the country including Sariwon, Hamhung, Chongjin, Kanggye and Wonsan on the same day. They showed well the revolutionary faith and militant stamina of young vanguard to glorify its honor as a shock brigade which plays a leading role in building a thriving socialist nation.

Recent editions of Haveil Havalim and KCC reflect the ardent zeal of young people to display wisdom and pluck in every difficult and labor-consuming site.

It's Nuke Fest Time!

I haven't done an Iran round-up for a while, but not much has changed. They are into events in the IRI:

National Nuclear Festival has just started at Tehran's Milad Tower on Friday.

Key state and military personalities, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are present at the ceremony.

Among the guests are Head of the Atomic Energy rganization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi, members of the cabinet, the Guardian Council and the Parliament as well as a number of foreign diplomats and ambassadors.

The festival began with playing of national anthem and recitation of verses from holy Quran.

The president is said to give a good nuclear news in the ceremony. [...]

They are making progress on the nuke front, as that festival suggests. According to an AP story, "Iran unveiled a third generation of domestically built centrifuges . . . capable of much faster enrichment than those now being used . . ." According to a Tehran Times headline, "Iran has produced several kilos of 20% enriched nuclear fuel":

Iran has produced several kilos of uranium enriched to a purity of 20 percent to power its medical research reactor, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) director announced on Wednesday.

However, Ali Akbar Salehi declined to state how many kilos have been produced.

Speaking to reporters, he said good news on how the country will produce fuel for the research reactor will be announced in the next few months. [...]

And what would an Iran round-up be without a touch of totalitarian boasting and bluster? A Press TV headline declares that Iran is the "world's most powerful country":

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran is the "world's most powerful country in the international arena."

Speaking on Thursday in a gathering of the "elites" of East Azerbaijan province in northwest Iran, Ahmadinejad said that current conditions — both domestically and internationally — are the best in conditions throughout the country's history, reported ILNA.

"The national solidarity that is prevalent today is unprecedented in the history of Iran," he said. "Many try to muddy the waters with false news, but the understanding of the nation is at its peak and all divisions have been eliminated." [...]

Do they have centrifuges for that, too? Obama better get his own centrifuges going. We need World Arrogance plots at 95 percent.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Ahmadinejad threatens presidential teeth

You may have seen some reports on these remarks already, but probably without the nifty graphic, courtesy of Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV--Ouch!

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday warned his US counterpart Barack Obama of a "tooth-breaking" response, as he condemned Washington's new nuclear policy.

"I hope these published comments are not true... he (Obama) has threatened with nuclear and chemical weapons those nations which do not submit to the greed of the United States," Ahmadinejad said in speech broadcast live on state television. "Be careful. If you set step in Mr. (George W.) Bush's path, the nations' response would be the same tooth-breaking one as they gave Bush," he said.

The United States unveiled new limits on the nation's nuclear arsenal on Tuesday, saying it would use atomic weapons with "outliers" such as Iran and North Korea, both accused by the West of flouting UN resolutions.

Ahmadinejad brushed off Obama's policy, saying it reflected "his inexperience." "What Mr. Obama has said even Mr. Bush whose hands were smeared with blood of nations did not," said the president. "We advise Mr. Obama to be careful in not signing anything they put in front. Wait and weigh things a bit. Beware that those who were bigger and stronger than you could not do a damn thing, let alone you," he said.

"Whenever American politicians and materialistic politicians are beaten by logic, laws and rationale they immediately put their hands on their triggers just like cowboys and actors in American westerns movies," Ahmadinejad added. "We consider Obama’s actions are all conducted because of his inexperience. Anyway he is a newcomer to the high level political fields and he is still gaining experience and based on what we have heard from people close to him, he is under the pressure imposed by the capitalists and the Zionists." [...]

Who at least aren't threatening his teeth.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Der Spiegel: "German Jihad Colonies Sprout Up in Waziristan"

Sign of the times:

A wave of Germans traveling to training camps for militant jihadists has alarmed security officials back in Europe. The recruits are quickly becoming radicalized and, in some cases, entire families are departing to hotbeds for terrorism. It is even believed that colonies catering to German Islamists have taken shape in the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

That's just the lead paragraph of a long article.