Analysis Of Polling Data Appears To Show Manipulation

The boys over at Powerline have noted the return of Steven den Beste to the USS Clueless. Steven turns a scientific eye toward the polling trendlines and concludes that someone’s been monkeying with the data. Very interesting and presented with a very easily understood graphic.

Judges Say No Metal Detectors At Protest

I’m afraid I can’t really follow the reasoning of the court on this one. Participants at a rally protesting a training academy for Latin American soliders were to pass through security checkpoints with metal detectors, identical in every respect to the ones you pass through entering an airport departure area or entering into a public building – such as those used at the 11th Circuit courthouse where this decision was made. For some reason, it’s OK to scan people at those places, but doing to at a protest rally is unconsitutional. I don’t see the distinction. Columbus, GA is deciding whether to appeal. I hope the judges’ faith that no one will attempt to smuggle in weapons will turn out to be well-founded.

Canadians Find Afghan Weapons Cache

A Canadian unit in Afghanistan found a huge cache of weapons including nearly every variety of mortar shell and – get this – literally thousands of Soviet-era FROG missiles.

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In the dusty foothills, 10 minutes drive from Camp Julien (population 2,000), 82 buried bunkers, each 20-metres long, housed thousands of Soviet FROG missiles (one step down from Scud missiles), and every variety of rocket and mortar shells. Some of the FROG missiles were still in their original cases. Some heaped in the open. Some stacked to the roof in the unlocked, open bunkers. Much of the ordnance had warheads removed to collect the explosive for homemade bombs — or for blasting at a nearby quarry. “Unbelievable!” was Maj. Brian Hynes’ reaction when he saw them. “We (troops of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)) have been here some two years, and no one knew this was at our back door. Unbelievable.”

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Two years. 82, 20-meter long bunkers. 10 minutes drive from a military base with 2000 people stationed there. And they never knew it was there. There’s a lesson here and it’s a valuable one. It’s sometimes very, very hard to locate hidden troves in areas as big as some of these Mid-East countries. The ISG report in Iraq is as complete as it can be made in the time given and it’s quite an indictment of Saddam’s intentions and the international communities motives and involvement in his plans. But they didn’t take a full 2 years in preparing the report, did they? Wonder what they missed in their haste.

Of course, to say that no one knew about this weapon cache is incorrect.

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In the midst of examining the bunkers and taking photos, a Swedish UN guy, a French major and a German colonel arrived to make a fuss and order the Canadians to leave. The French major insisted his government had a deal with the Afghan government for the area, and ISAF had no business being there. This cut little ice with Maj. Hynes, who is responsible — not to the commander of Camp Julien, Col. Jim Ellis — but to the ANA, which has now moved in to secure the site. The French major was clearly bluffing, hadn’t checked the bunkers and got a classic Canadian roasting from Maj. Hynes — who was supported by a German general who was also appalled at the laxity. “Now we’ve stirred up the hornet’s nest,” grinned Maj. Hynes. “Good. Now we may get some action.”

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Now why am I not surprised?

This Is What Debate Really Looks Like.

Too bad George Soros feels he only needs to cite his own book as authority.

Ray D. at Medienkritik noted some flawed thinking on George Soros’ site and wrote him an e-mail on it. To his surprise, Soros wrote back. Have a look at Ray’s response and note what it means to truly engage in debate.