A Few Reads
First, it seems that Samar’s latest entry Hot/Live has become a topic of discussion on, of all places, the Sean Hannity forums. Who knew. The fact that no one seems to have actually read the entry is apparent though. They all refer to Samar as a male. And, of course, the term Hezbollah was thrown around, which I would think would be rather insulting to a woman that was a member of the democratic movement in her country.
Other articles of note over the last twenty four hours include a shocking piece that reveals that US Army suicides are at their highest rate in 26 years, a piece that examines the domestic use of US spy satellites by ‘federal civilian agencies’, and a rather bizarre report by The Guardian entitled US documents show Pakistan gave Taliban military aid, something that’s been quite well known for some time now. Of course, given the focus on Pakistan of late, it makes perfect sense that ‘US documents’ would now be revealing it. One wonders when subsequent documents will be released detailing their use of, and cooperation with, the Pakistani ISI with regards to funding and arming the Mujahideen, a part of which went on to form the Taliban movement.
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August 17th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Apartheid-era minister pleads guilty in plot
Updated Fri. Aug. 17 2007 12:08 PM ET
Associated Press
PRETORIA, South Africa — A former government minister in charge of a police force that killed dozens of anti-apartheid activists pleaded guilty to attempted murder Friday in a plot to assassinate a church leader by lacing his clothes with poison.
Former Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok will serve no time in prison under the deal — which ended the first prosecution of a minister from the apartheid government — as long as he commits no new crimes for five years.
Vlok’s former police chief, Johannes Van der Merwe, received an identical deal, in which the men will assist authorities in prosecuting other apartheid-era crimes.
Their intended victim, Frank Chikane, then secretary-general of the South African Council of Churches and now a top adviser to President Thabo Mbeki, said he has forgiven Vlok, and welcomed the deal.
“I am pleased that this thing is over and we can move forward,” Chikane said. “I hope that whatever happened today can be used as a way of resolving all the outstanding issues.”
Vlok washed Chikane’s feet last year as a gesture of atonement for the 1989 plot.
After the proceedings, Vlok shook hands and exchanged telephone numbers with Chikane and voiced “sincere regret” at the murder attempt.
“I would like to say, ‘Obey the Lord and He will heal the land,” said Vlok, 70.
Three other former top security officials were given five-year deferred sentences that also will not go into effect if they commit no crimes for the five years.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said that the defendants would help any new prosecutions, which could open the way to a fuller accounting of apartheid-era crimes.
National Prosecutor Vusi Pikoli hailed the outcome as a “victory” for South Africa.
Vlok was minister of law and order from 1986-1989, when an estimated 30,000 people were detained and many were tortured. Allegations surfaced in 1989 that police hit squads may have been involved in the murder of more than 100 political activists.
Torture survivors and family members of people who disappeared or were killed by apartheid security forces demonstrated outside the court room Friday, as did relatives of those who died in bombs planted by the military wing of the African National Congress, which now rules the country. Deep divisions remain between the black majority and white minority that still run deep 13 years after the onset of multiracial democracy.
Vlok appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, set up to help the nation come to terms with its past. He was one of some 1,000 South Africans who were granted amnesty for confessing to various crimes during harrowing two-year hearings. He never applied for protection from prosecution for the attempt on Chikane’s life.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Who would describe themselves as “Hannitized”?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
[quote comment="23401"]Who would describe themselves as “Hannitized”?[/quote]
People who have received a labotomy and/or at least shock treatment.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hannity insider. $6 a month to read about how right you are. Do I at least get a super-patriot flag kit?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Reading that link makes me glad that i decided to be a member of this webpage and not hannity. People are sure willing to give up their rights and freedoms as long as it semi-justifies their arguments. I hope one day the victims of these invasion crimes will have justice, and those “patriotic citizens” sitting on the fence preaching the rules will have a chance to follow their own. And while their all giving up their rights, lets see them lose the right to bear arms…
August 17th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/15/223743/748
They’re talking about it on dailykos too. But this blogger thought it was you. Oops.
August 17th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
[quote comment="23401"]Who would describe themselves as “Hannitized”?[/quote]
Isn’t it sweet how all the pompous “Hannitized” asses have such a nice forum to post (aka spout pompous crap) on? :P
August 17th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I like that the Hannitites aren’t bright enough to realize that the post they are talking about was written by a woman - they refer to Samar as “he” over and over. Of course, many far right conservatives get confused about who is a man and who is a woman, though usually it takes some meth and a massage to do that…
August 17th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
[quote comment="23426"]I like that the Hannitites aren’t bright enough to realize that the post they are talking about was written by a woman - they refer to Samar as “he” over and over. Of course, many far right conservatives get confused about who is a man and who is a woman, though usually it takes some meth and a massage to do that…[/quote]
I guess ignorance, racism and sexism all go hand in hand…
August 17th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I stopped reading as soon as they said Samar was a “he.”
Good job fellas. Nothing like a face-plant on the way to first base.