Europe Has Summer of Extreme Weather

Flooding, fires and droughts have left Europe reeling over the past several months as weather-related calamities have uprooted one country after another.

Thousands of tourists and residents were forced to flee ahead of raging wildfires that have engulfed parts of the Canary Islands since the weekend, the latest in a string of bizarre, weather-related calamities to hit Europe this summer.

Local officials said that at least 13,000 people evacuated homes, hotels, campgrounds and other areas of the seven Canaries, Spanish territory in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of southern Morocco. More than 86,000 acres have been burned or otherwise affected by the fires since Friday, mostly on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, according to a spokeswoman for the islands' government who was not allowed to be quoted by name.

England Sees Worst Flooding in Modern History

In was has amounted to the heaviest flooding in modern history, England prepares for even more rain over the next 24 hours. Additionally, 350,000 homes lost access to running water that could create one of the largest humanitarian disasters the nation has ever seen. The storm is next expected to impact London.

Also, HERE is another big reason why we have been warned to maintain adequate food storage. These poor people are driving over 15 miles to find clean water.

SKY News reports:

Submerged areas are bracing themselves for further chaos with water levels not expected to peak until tomorrow morning.

Gloucestershire is likely to be hit by yet more flooding as the River Severn is expected to rise once again in the early hours.

Severn Trent Water confirmed "at least" 350,000 homes in the county will be without water by this evening.

The peak level of the Thames is expected to travel through Oxford at about 2.45am and Abingdon at about 6.45am.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has told MPs the flooding emergency is "far from over".

West London and the Thames Valley could be the next parts of Britain to go underwater as the floods spread east.

Hundreds of homes could be flooded when torrential rain hits the capital in the next 24 hours.

World Running Out of Oil

According to this report, we only have 4 years left until the world hits its peak production of oil. After that, its all downhill. Of course, BP says we have 40 years left. My guess is that the truth is somewhere in the middle. But either way, oil depletion will wreak havoc with the world economy.

Large Earthquake Rocks Guatemala

As far as earthquakes go, this is a pretty big one.

6.8

Nuclear Rhetoric Heats up

Putin has put Europe on notice by saying he'll aim his nuclear missiles at the Old Continent in response to the US wanting to install a missile defense shield. I haven't heard threats like this since the Cold War. And now NATO is getting involved.

It would appear that Russia, and Putin in particular, it trying to restore the old superpower's clout in the world. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union would threaten Europe (directly and indirectly) as a means to assert it's authority in the region. Having Putin start this game again is something an unstable world cannot afford at this time.

From Russia With Threats

In a chilling reversal of the good will that has existed between Russia and the US for more than a decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a series of very serious threats in response to what he sees as US aggression in central Europe.

MOSCOW (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin issued an acerbic warning Thursday to the United States, saying the recent test of a new Russian missile was a direct response to US actions and condemning "imperialism" in world affairs.

"Our American partners have quit the ABM Treaty," Putin told reporters after meeting his Greek counterpart, referring to the landmark 1972 US-Soviet treaty limiting the missile defenses of the Cold War superpower foes.

"We warned them then that we would come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world. Yesterday we conducted a test of a new strategic ballistic missile with multiple warheads, and of a new cruise missile, and will continue to improve our resources."

Unfortunately, this is a sobering reminder that the likelihood of conflict (although remote) still exists between the former superpower and the US.

Another Loss of Freedom in Venezuela

It sounds like something out of a dark science fiction movie. Television stations being shut down that run shows not approved by the dictator - programming instead being replaced with propaganda messages run by the government, "Venezuela now belongs to everyone." It's frightening.

Hugo Chavez is slick, indeed. He trumps up accusations about the only station that dares to question his leadership ability, saying they have "incited attempts on [his] life." Well, isn't that convenient. He tells his followers, those most eager to believe in what he is selling (shared wealth for everyone), what he wants them to hear, and then they do the rest. For example, while thousands protested against Chavez's closure of RCTV, his followers held a counter "anti-violence" demonstration. It's dystopic.

As Chavez tightens his grip on power, I can guarantee that the people of Venezuela will see similar justifications for the seizure of their freedoms. And, since Chavez now controls the media, the people will believe him.

Can this happen here in America? You better believe it. All it would take would be for circumstances to be bad enough, a slick politician who promises prosperity at the expense of the upper class, a willing Congress and presto! Don't believe me? That's OK... I'm sure the people of Venezuela thought it was absurd ten years ago, too.

Al Qaeda Threatens Major Attack in Britain

In what they claim will rival "Hiroshima and Nagasaki," terrorists from Al Qaeda are threatening a major terrorist attack in Great Britain.

TimesOnline Reports:

The report was compiled by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) - based at MI5’s London headquarters - and provides a quarterly review of the international terror threat to Britain. It draws a distinction between Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda’s core leadership, who are thought to be hiding on the Afghan-Pakistan border, and affiliated organisations elsewhere.

The document states: “While networks linked to AQ [Al-Qaeda] Core pose the greatest threat to the UK, the intelligence during this quarter has highlighted the potential threat from other areas, particularly AQI [Al-Qaeda in Iraq].”

The report continues: “Recent reporting has described AQI’s Kurdish network in Iran planning what we believe may be a large-scale attack against a western target.

“A member of this network is reportedly involved in an operation which he believes requires AQ Core authorisation. He claims the operation will be on ‘a par with Hiroshima and Naga-saki’ and will ‘shake the Roman throne’. We assess that this operation is most likely to be a large-scale, mass casualty attack against the West.”

Mexico Takes Another Step in Wrong Direction

The Mexican legislature is expected to legalize abortion. Ironic that these "pro-choice" supporters are wearing death masks (complete with blood dripping from eyes), considering they are fighting to kill people who can't speak for or defend themselves. AP Reports:

About 3,000 protesters led by city legislators from various political parties on Thursday shouted "Freedom to choose!" and criticized President Felipe Calderon, a social conservative who has spoken out against the reform.

"A woman can decide to have an abortion or not have it, but it's her decision," said former presidential candidate Patricia Mercado, a leftist and feminist. "A secular state has the obligation to give the right to women to take this decision in the best conditions."

The bill was proposed by the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD, which holds a majority in the assembly in Mexico City — a federal district with its own legislature — and party legislators are confident it will pass in April.

Chavez is Planning to Stay in Office... Indefinitely

In another major blow to constitutional democracy, Hugo Chavez now wants the terms limits normally imposed on leaders of his country eliminated so that he can "serve" as leader indefinitely. This announcement came after he stripped one of Venezuela's largest TV channels (the only channel left that allows dissenting views from that of Mr. Chavez) of it's license to broadcast, effectively taking state control of the media. Oh, and for good measure, he also went ahead and nationalized the country's biggest oil company. Viva socialism.

As he works to consolidate his power, I can't help but feel sorry for the people of that country as their freedom is taken away from them, piece by piece. It's heartbreaking to watch the manipulation and lies that are leading that country down a very dark road.

But even more ominous is what this will mean for the United States in a few short years. We will have a very oil-rich and powerful dictatorship at our doorsteps in South America. And as Mexico falls deeper and deeper into chaos, you can bet that Red Hugo will eventually slide into that country as it's savior and literally be in our backyards. Think Ahmadinejad was bad calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map?" Mr. Chavez has openly called for the destruction of the United States.

Ding Dong Saddam is Dead

It has been a long time coming, but Iraq's former dictator, Saddam Hussein, has been executed by the hands of those he brutally oppressed for 20+ years. It is unclear how his death will be received in Iraq over the next few days, but one shouldn't be surprised to see an increase in terror attacks and sectarian violence. In the long term, however, this might prove to be a turning point for the struggling new democracy in Iraq.

Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti
1937-2006

Limited Nuclear War Would Be Damaging to Environment

On first blush, one would be tempted to reply, "duh." But what's most ironic is how these scientists highlight the potential damage to the environment as the ultimate catastrophe in this scenario. Never mind the fact that the entire human race would be irrevocably changed. But I guess to the scientific elite, humans are the worst thing that has happened to this planet since it's creation. Nonetheless, the study itself is interesting.

SAN FRANCISCO—A small-scale, regional nuclear war could disrupt the global climate for a decade or more, with environmental effects that could be devastating for everyone on Earth, researchers have concluded.

[...]

The lingering effects could re-shape the environment in ways never conceived. In terms of climate, a nuclear blast could plunge temperatures across large swaths of the globe. "It would be the largest climate change in recorded human history," Alan Robock, associate director of the Center for Environmental Prediction at Rutgers' Cook College and another member of the research team.

[...]

For a regional conflict, fatalities would range from 2.6 million to 16.7 million per country. "A small country is likely to direct its weapons against population centers to maximize damage and achieve the greatest advantage," Toon said.

[...]

Will the conclusions result in worldly changes? "We certainly hope there will be a political response because nuclear weapons are the most dangerous potential environmental danger to the planet. They're much more dangerous than global warming," Robock said.

Again, duh.

Venezuela Votes to Continue and Expand Dictatorship

Voters poised to re-elect Chavez in a landslide.

The opposition to Chavez's dictatorial rule had no chance. Chavez has a record of stifling all opposition, including sending his violent supporters to blockade media outlets that broadcast anything negative about the Dictator. It's gotten so bad that the free press in Venezuela is only free inasmuch as it supports President Chavez. The network brave enough to broadcast other opinions, Globovision, has had it's offices torched by Chavez supporters, and it's cameramen and anchors killed and brutally attacked. It's a shame that little of this is reported in the North.

Chavez, who doesn't give a darn about the poor people in his country, plays upon their poverty and fears to maintain a tyrannical hold on power. He buys their votes with subsidies the country cannot afford, and takes wealth and property away from the middle class using the power of the government. This is called the redistribution of resources and is a hallmark of communism - a despotic form of government that Chavez openly supports.

The system that Chavez is building cannot be supported on oil revenue alone, and I expect to see Venezuela doing a bit of expansion in the coming decade or so. Unfortunately for freedom's sake, it seems that his eventual takeover of Latin America will have been freely handed to him by the people based on the promise of "free stuff for all" at the expense of liberty and individuality.

So, given this kind of hostile atmosphere, it's still impressive that Chavez's opposition got any votes at all. Good for them, even if they failed in the end. Someone needs to stand up for freedom in that country.

Iran Warning the West?

It is becoming abundantly clear that Iranian President Ahmadinejad has something in store for the West. Whether it is an announcement of a new Iranian nuclear arsenal in 5 years, or a "partnership" with Iraq next week, something is in the works and it won't be good for US interests.

Here is a breakdown from Kenneth Timmerman, President of the Middle East Data Project and author of Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran. I've highlighted a few points in red:

WASHINGTON –- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has followed up his 18-page letter to President George W. Bush earlier this year with a five-page missive to the American people.

In the earlier letter, which left the Bush White House shaking their heads with wonderment, the Iranian leader invited Bush to embrace Islam. That is a well-established Islamic tradition when dealing with an enemy just prior to war. If they refuse, then the Muslims are "justified" in destroying them.

The letter released today follows a similar pattern. In it, Ahmadinejad lays out his case for America's "injustice," using the term no fewer than 12 times in the five pages.

The concept of Justice lies at the very center of the Islamic faith. Justice is considered the backbone of all creation, handed down by the Almighty. The faithful should strive to achieve justice, to "secure justice," as Ahmadinejad puts it. Those who pursue injustice, on the contrary, are spitting in the face of Allah.

Ahmadinejad claims that America, under Bush, is pursuing injustice.

In making his case, he does not position himself as president of Iran, but attempts to set himself up as a spokesman for all Muslims. Thus, Iran itself barely figures in his letter.

Instead, Ahmadinejad focuses on America's support for Israel, the U.S. occupation of Iraq, and the Bush administration's "moral corruption," or as he puts it, the administration's pursuit of "darkness, deceit, lies, and distortion."

Students of recent Iranian history will recall that the "crime" most often used to justify a death sentence by Islamic Republic revolutionary courts during the early years of the revolution was "corruption on earth." This was how the regime simply eliminated its opponents or those who rejected absolute clerical rule.

Media commentators in the U.S. are likely to pick up on the "public relations" side of the letter. Ahmadinejad calls on the U.S. to bring the troops home from Iraq, to cut off support for Israel, and to stop "kidnapping presumed opponents from across the globe" and holding them in secret prisons.

He even has some advice for the new Democrat majority in Congress: Bend to the Muslim agenda, or you will be tossed out of power.

Ahmadinejad repeatedly tries to appeal to Americans as people of faith, who share Islamic values. "We, like you, are aggrieved by the ever-worsening pain and misery of the Palestinian people," he drones. "Persistent aggressions by the Zionists are making life more and more difficult for the rightful owners of the land of Palestine."

And he trots out his old anti-Semitic saw, claiming that "the Zionists" control America "because they have imposed themselves on a substantial portion of the banking, financial, cultural, and media sectors."

But to focus on these parts of his letter, however silly and objectionable they may be, would be to miss the main point. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not the Hugo Chavez of the Persian Gulf. He knows that soon he will have his finger on the nuclear trigger.

Citing from the Quran at the close of his letter, he says that if Americans "repent" of their "injustice," they will be blessed with many gifts. "We should all heed the divine Word of the Holy Qur'an," he says.

The context of this particular verse (28:67-28, Sura "Al-Qasas," or The Narration), is very clear. It follows a graphic description of destruction and devastation that will befall those who fail to repent of their injustice.

It also sets out the terms of the tradition Muslim warning to the enemies of Allah. "And never will your Lord destroy the towns until He sends to their mother town a Messenger reciting to them Our Verses." This is precisely what Ahmadinejad is doing in his letter.

Dump Bush, allow the Muslims to destroy Israel, and adopt Islam — or else you will be destroyed. This is Ahmadinejad's message.

Iranian Paper: Great War to Wipe Out Israel Coming

More frightening rhetoric from the Islamic fascist republic of Iran. This time the state-controlled Iranian media is attempting to prepare the public for potential war by whipping religious zealotry into a frenzy. Ynet News reports:

"The great war is ahead of us, (and will break out) perhaps tomorrow, or in another few days, or in a few months, or even in a few Years... Israel must collapse."

Scary days are ahead, and I'm inclined to believe that this will rupture into a full scale conflict between the West and Iran within 5 years. Watch and be ready!

US Staying Power

Mark Steyn, columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and best selling author, has laid out rather succinctly, the consequences we will face as a nation if we're to pull out of Iraq prematurely.

"As it is, we're in a very dark place right now. It has been a long time since America unambiguously won a war, and to choose to lose Iraq would be an act of such parochial self-indulgence that the American moment would not endure, and would not deserve to. Europe is becoming semi-Muslim, Third World basket-case states are going nuclear, and, for all that 40 percent of planetary military spending, America can't muster the will to take on pipsqueak enemies. We think we can just call off the game early, and go back home and watch TV.

"It doesn't work like that. Whatever it started out as, Iraq is a test of American seriousness. And, if the Great Satan can't win in Vietnam or Iraq, where can it win? That's how China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Venezuela and a whole lot of others look at it. "These Colors Don't Run" is a fine T-shirt slogan, but in reality these colors have spent 40 years running from the jungles of Southeast Asia, the helicopters in the Persian desert, the streets of Mogadishu. ... To add the sands of Mesopotamia to the list will be an act of weakness from which America will never recover."

Read entire article HERE.

Gay Unions Legalized in Mexico

If catholic Mexico has finally given in, what chance does the liberal United States have? A "snowball effect that no one will be able to stop?" He's right. Mark my words that this will eventually lead to the legalization of all sexual relationships - no matter how deviant. From Reuters:

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico City approved homosexual civil unions on Thursday, legalizing gay partnerships for the first time in the world's second-largest Roman Catholic nation.

The capital's municipal assembly, controlled by left-wing legislators, voted for the measure 43-17 as hundreds of rival protesters demonstrated noisily outside the building.

The move paves the way for same-sex civil unions in the city of 8.6 million people early next year.

The local congress in the northern state of Coahuila, bordering Texas, began debating a similar plan this week to legalize gay unions.

"These reforms are going to cause a snowball effect that no one will be able to stop," said David Sanchez of the left-wing Party of the Democratic Revolution, one of the few openly gay national congressmen.

Read entire article HERE.