Archive for Friday, May 9, 2008
Sectarian gunbattles break out in Lebanon
May 9, 2008
Advertisement
Beirut, Lebanon — Running gunbattles raged in parts of Beirut on Thursday after the leader of Hezbollah accused Lebanon’s Western-backed government of declaring war on his Shiite militant group. At least four people were killed and eight wounded in the capital.
In a grim reminder of Lebanon’s devastating 1975-90 civil war, factions threw up roadblocks and checkpoints dividing Beirut into sectarian enclaves on the second day of clashes between Sunni Muslims loyal to the government and Shiite supporters of Hezbollah.
A top Sunni leader went on television urging Hezbollah to pull its fighters back and “save Lebanon from hell.” The army, which has stayed out of the sectarian political squabbling that has paralyzed the country for more than a year, did not intervene in the battles.
The chattering of automatic weapons and thumps of exploding rocket-propelled grenades echoed across Beirut into the night. People huddled in hallways and stairwells as gunmen rushed from one street corner to the next firing at their foes. Some families fled to neighborhoods that remained quiet.
“There is so much shooting and explosions outside. Our building is in the middle of the fighting,” a terrified woman, Ghada Helmi, told The Associated Press by telephone.
Fighting began along Corniche Mazraa, an avenue separating Shiite and Sunni areas, then spread to other districts. Combat was heard near the office of Lebanon’s Sunni spiritual leader, an ally of the government, and near the official residence of the opposition-aligned parliament speaker.
In peaceful neighborhoods, people jammed into supermarkets rushing to stockpile food while outside gunmen armed with assault rifles and RPGs peered from building entrances or took cover next to shuttered shops.
The unrest virtually shut down Lebanon’s international airport for a second day and barricades closed major highways. Hezbollah first blocked roads in Beirut on Wednesday to enforce a strike called by labor unions, but confrontations quickly spread across the city.
Security officials said Thursday night that a mother and her son were killed when a grenade hit their apartment and two men were shot dead during the Beirut fighting. Eight people were wounded in the city and four more were wounded in a Sunni-Shiite gunbattle in the eastern Bekaa Valley, officials said.
Fighting intensified minutes after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah made a televised address charging that the government had declared war on his group when it decided this week to shut down Hezbollah’s private telecommunications network
Top ads RSS
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Marine Corps, Army exceed recruiting goals May 13, 2008 · 44 comments
- Wal-Mart nearly ready to build city’s new store May 13, 2008 · 92 comments
- Siren sound off May 12, 2008 · 49 comments
- T for taxi? May 12, 2008 · 97 comments
- On the street: What is an appropriate amount to spend on a graduation gift? May 13, 2008 · 28 comments
- Self may give assist to sports facility May 13, 2008 · 19 comments
- City funding May 13, 2008 · 3 comments
- Ethanol defended May 11, 2008 · 48 comments
- Chamber role May 13, 2008 · 11 comments
- Anticipating a rail travel resurgence, organization wants to fast-track repairs May 7, 2008 · 207 comments
- Wal-Mart nearly ready to build city’s new store May 13, 2008
- Administrator stepping down May 13, 2008
- Barnstorming Tour comes to Lawrence High Wednesday night May 13, 2008
- Siren sound off May 12, 2008
- NCAA opens Mayo investigation May 13, 2008
- Wendy’s receives Bert Nash award May 13, 2008
- Regional revenge May 13, 2008
- Going out on top May 13, 2008
- Clinton should do the ‘right’ thing May 13, 2008
- Jayhawks-to-be get a little good press May 12, 2008
9 May 2008 at 8:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
So rather than “spreading democracy” in the Middle East with its invasion and occupation of Iraq, what BushCo has actually done is spread civil war between Shia and Sunni.
9 May 2008 at 8:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Hillary_Hussein_Dean (Anonymous) says…
In a short time, Obama will be high-fiving with these nice people that Bush has mistreated and we will have to worry no more.
9 May 2008 at 9:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
Bozo, you don't actually believe the Beirut conflict is sectarian, do you?
9 May 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
Robert Fisk, a journalist who's lived there for more than 30 years reports as much—
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/fisk/r…
But Israel's invasion of a couple of years ago, with the approval and support of BushCo, is primarily responsible for breaking the fragile truce that had been established.
9 May 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Harderfaster (Anonymous) says…
I can now see why Hitler enlisted the help of muslims in his struggle against Jews.
Thanks for pointing that out Bus.
9 May 2008 at 9:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
TopJayhawk (Anonymous) says…
Just where do they think they are? Topeka?
Gee, maybe this has to do with Iran getting away lately with whatever they want.
It can be argued both ways Bozo, my friend.
9 May 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
My God! Robert Fisk?
9 May 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“Gee, maybe this has to do with Iran getting away lately with whatever they want.”
As long as the US is completely hypocritical about meddling in other country's affairs, and truly getting away with whatever they want (Iran hasn't invaded or occupied anyone,) holding Iran to a higher standard than we set for ourselves (or Israel) will continue to have disastrous results.
9 May 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
This seems a little more plausible:
““For years Hezbollah has tried to jump the sectarian divide by defending the causes of the umma. But when Israel withdrew from South Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah's armada lost its raison d'etre. Yet even after the Syrian occupation ended in 2005 following the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri, the party refused to terminate its mission and give up its arms and the many privileges enjoyed under Damascus' tutelage. To survive, Hezbollah needs its perpetual resistance, but the Party of God is today at odds with the rest of the Lebanese, and the survival of Lebanon as a state depends on the government bringing an end to this conflicted situation. There is no way one state can have two centers of decision-making, two policies, two armies, two economies, that are at odds with each others. The road to the airport must be re-opened at any cost, and Hezbollah must cease his state within a state either by negotiations or by force.””
9 May 2008 at 10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
“Iran hasn't invaded or occupied anyone”
How about fund and arm? When Reagan funded, trained and armed groups seeking the overthrow of other governments, he was vilified. Is funding and arming a group seeking to destroy a democracy a bad thing, in your eyes?
How about assassinating and murdering? If we had a president assassinating and murdering people in, oh, I don't know, South America, would you support him?
9 May 2008 at 10:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
I'm defending Hezbollah or Iran. But as long as they are held to a different standard than either the US or Israel, their behavior will likely never change.
9 May 2008 at 10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
Correction— I'm NOT defending Hezbollah or Iran.
9 May 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
justfornow (Anonymous) says…
Ah, the truth has emerged.
9 May 2008 at 10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
A Freudian what?
9 May 2008 at 11:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
lucky_man (Anonymous) says…
bozo, strengthen your Kool-Aid mixture and you won't slip up and say what you really feel.
9 May 2008 at 11:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
It's pretty telling that you guy's best “argument” is to pounce on a typo.
9 May 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
b3 (Anonymous) says…
Good, maybe they will finally kill each other off.
9 May 2008 at 11:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“My God! Robert Fisk?”
Yea, I know you resist info from anyone with long-established credibility.
9 May 2008 at 11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cool (Anonymous) says…
IRAN is the land of the Aryans !
not the land of Arabs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran
prior to Islamic control Persia was largely Zorastrian.
9 May 2008 at 11:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cool (Anonymous) says…
the Iranian people / different from their government do not support the kind of militarism fostered by other Arab states and like Israel most of the population would like L E S S militarism & prefer peace.
http://www.indiachildren.com/lifestyles/…
9 May 2008 at 11:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cool (Anonymous) says…
I S R A E L used cluster bombs in Lebanon.
approximately 4 milion cluster 'bomblets'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8tXYKRiY…
9 May 2008 at 11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cool (Anonymous) says…
cluster bombs supplied to Israel
made in USA, by a division of general dynamics ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpGMiAlVM…
9 May 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
If we could just get David Irving's good buddy over here, this thread would hit the trifecta of LJW's “hate the JOOOS!” posters.
9 May 2008 at 12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cool (Anonymous) says…
TIKKUN
repair the world
the Jewish people and not quite the same thing as the very militaristic & effectively the police state of I S R A E L.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdBOI9_aB…
9 May 2008 at 1:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
“Yea, I know you resist info from anyone with long-established credibility.”
Ahhh, Mr. Credibility:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/fisk/r…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisking
9 May 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
its_getting_warmer (Anonymous) says…
Yes, Snap. Where is Marion this morning? Sleeping it off?
(Maybe down in Wichita where those liberals from Olathe are yet-again passing another smoking ordinance)
9 May 2008 at 2:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
autie (Anonymous) says…
I glanced at the byline, “sectarian gun battle breaks out in Lebanon” and immediately wondered to myself “how many lesbians were killed?” damn tri-focals.
9 May 2008 at 4:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
its_getting_warmer (Anonymous) says…
Yes, Snap. Where is Marion this morning? Sleeping it off?
(Maybe down in Wichita where those liberals from Olathe are yet-again passing another smoking ordinance)”
Marion writes:
Gee, IGW; didn't know you cared!
Actually you care only in the respect that outlets for your obsessive and sociopathic behaviours are restricted if I'm not around for you to take potshots at, you poor, pathetic loser.
While you've been obssessing, as your post clearly indicates that you were, I've been off making a few bucks; you know: particpating in Free Enterprise; this while you, to use a term which so many are *sooooooooo* fond ; “stalk” me on the internet!
Roflmao!
I'll be back!
9 May 2008 at 5:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
If we could just get David Irving's good buddy over here, this thread would hit the trifecta of LJW's “hate the JOOOS!” posters.”
Marion writes:
Snap, go back to pulling IGW's chain and give up on the pitiable attempts at spin will you?
My support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people is unparalelled on this forum and others.
I have repeatedly called out the Jew-baiters, anti-Semites and Jew-haters right here on the LJW.
Doubt me?
Check my posts, people!
Snap and IGW are merely “haters”.
They pick a target and then try to worry that target like a pack of hungry dingoes, so pay them no mind.
Facts speak much louder than the brayings of internet a**es like Snap and IGW.
9 May 2008 at 6:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“Ahhh, Mr. Credibility:”
Yep. One of the few reporting from the Middle East.
9 May 2008 at 7 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Oh, yeah and then there is Bozo…………………..
I think that it is time that the LJW prohibit “anonymous” registrations.
I have always been 100% in the open with my profile on this forum and have always stood right behind what I have written with that openness.
I have never hidden behind anonymity on this forum.
It is time that this forum was either cleaned up or closed.
Requiring posters to provide their real information might run off a few people but would most certainly raise the quality level of the discussions.
I notice that even the local Looney/Lefty site requires your real name and a verifiable telephone number before it will permit registrations so why should the LJW be any different?
“Anonymous” postings should no longer be allowed by the LJW.
9 May 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
snap writes:
marion, don't you have a 'forum' of your own to run?
Still
having
a
wonderful
internet
life
.
9 May 2008 at 7:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
“Yep. One of the few reporting from the Middle East.”
Along with Totten and Yon…
10 May 2008 at 6:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
max1 (Anonymous) says…
“If we could just get David Irving's good buddy over here, this thread would hit the trifecta of LJW's “hate the JOOOS!” posters.” -snap_pop_cracker
May 7, 2008
http://www.gallup.com/poll/107059/Obama-…
Obama Beats McCain Among Jewish Voters
Rather than declining between March and April, support for Obama versus McCain among Jewish voters has increased slightly, from a 23-point margin in favor of Obama (58% to 35%) to a 29-point margin (61% to 32%).
“I have repeatedly called out the Jew-baiters, anti-Semites and Jew-haters right here on the LJW … It is time that this forum was either cleaned up or closed.” -Marion
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l…
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l…
10 May 2008 at 6:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
max1 (Anonymous) says…
“Gee, maybe this has to do with Iran getting away lately with whatever they want.” -TopJayhawk
“Iran hasn't invaded or occupied anyone” -just_another_bozo_on_this_bus
“How about fund and arm? … Is funding and arming a group seeking to destroy a democracy a bad thing, in your eyes?” -screedposter
April 21, 2008
http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/…
In his opening briefing to the Congress recently, General David Petraeus, Commander of the US forces in Iraq, named Iran 105 times to emphasise how important the Islamic Republic has become to the future of the American occupation of Iraq.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonb…
IRAQ: The elusive Iranian weapons
There was something interesting missing from Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner's introductory remarks to journalists at his regular news briefing in Baghdad on Wednesday: the word “Iran,” or any form of it. It was especially striking as Bergner, the U.S. military spokesman here, announced the extraordinary list of weapons and munitions that have been uncovered in recent weeks since fighting erupted between Iraqi and U.S. security forces and Shiite militiamen.
Not once did Bergner point the finger at Iran for any of these weapons and munitions, which is a striking change from just a couple of weeks ago when U.S. military officials here and at the Pentagon were saying that caches found in Basra in particular had revealed Iranian-made arms manufactured as recently as this year.
A plan to show some alleged Iranian-supplied explosives to journalists last week in Karbala and then destroy them was canceled after the United States realized none of them was from Iran.
A U.S. military spokesman attributed the confusion to a misunderstanding that emerged after an Iraqi Army general in Karbala erroneously reported the items were of Iranian origin.
When U.S. explosives experts went to investigate, they discovered they were not Iranian after all.
10 May 2008 at 6:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
max1 (Anonymous) says…
April 21, 2008
http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/…
In his opening briefing to the Congress recently, General David Petraeus, Commander of the US forces in Iraq, named Iran 105 times to emphasise how important the Islamic Republic has become to the future of the American occupation of Iraq.
In doing so the general gave belated recognition to the reality everyone in the Middle East has known for years: Iran is the big winner of the American decision to invade and occupy Iraq.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Baghdad on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the invasion earlier this year… All that was missing was a “mission accomplished” banner.
The Iraqi Shiite are also winners… For the first time in five centuries, they control Mesopo-tamia's Shiite holy sites, the most important in the world to Shiites, and they control the oil-rich southern part of the country and its only outlet to the sea… The Iraqi Kurds are winners too and also closely tied to Tehran. An all but independent Kurdistan exists in the north of the country, making oil deals with outsiders independently of Baghdad.
It has its own army and police force loyal to the two Kurdish warlords. A Kurd, Jalal Talabani, is president of Iraq, yet the Iraqi flag does not fly in Kurdistan.
I have known Talabani for almost two decades. He is a patriot and will try to guard his independence. But he is also well aware of Iran's power in Iraq. His power base, Sulaimaniyah province in Kurdistan, depends on Iran for most of its trade.