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Prestor Jon wrote: Because children don't have any legal rights until they're adults. A minor is the responsiblity of the parent and has no legal rights except through his/her legal guardian or parent.
RJCarrot wrote: I had a SOFA agreement once.... My buddy needed a place to crash and I was like, you can crash on my SOFA if you keep my house clean....
Washington (CNN) -- U.S. special operations units were sent into Syria this summer to rescue American journalist James Foley and other hostages held by Islamic militants, a U.S. official told CNN.
Several dozen of the most elite U.S. commandos from units like Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team 6 flew in aboard helicopters but couldn't find the hostages, including Foley, whose grisly execution was captured on video and released this week by ISIS, the terror group that refers to itself as the Islamic State.
"Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said on Wednesday.
It's the latest revelation about Foley's final days in the hands of ISIS, which taunted his family in an e-mail a week ago, saying he would be killed.
"The message was vitriolic and filled with rage against the United States. It was deadly serious," said Philip Balboni, CEO of the online publication GlobalPost, which employed Foley.
ISIS beheads American reporter Was the ISIS militant a British citizen? Obama: No faith teaches this 'The world's most ruthless terrorists'
"Obviously, we hoped and prayed that would not be the case. ... Sadly, they showed no mercy."
Balboni told the Wall Street Journal that the captors originally demanded a ransom sum of 100 million euros ($132.5 million) from Foley's family and GlobalPost.
Then came the message sent to Foley's family last week. "There was no demand," Balboni said.
Obama: ISIS is a 'cancer'
Obama says ISIS a 'cancer' that must be eradicated
In the video, which CNN is not showing, Foley is seen on his knees as a man cloaked in black, his face covered, stands behind him.
Foley is then executed.
The video of his killing also shows another U.S. journalist, believed to be Steven Sotloff. The militant in the video, who speaks English with what sounds like a British accent, says the other American's life hangs in the balance, depending on what President Barack Obama does next in Iraq.
But the threat did little to curb U.S. military operations in Iraq, with American warplanes carrying out at least 14 airstrikes against ISIS targets.
Calling ISIS a "cancer," Obama said the United States "will continue to confront this hateful terrorism and replace it with a sense of hope and civility."
Several ISIS operatives were killed in the special operation earlier this summer that tried to rescue Foley and others, the U.S. official said. No U.S. personnel were killed, but one was slightly wounded. Fighters jets and surveillance aircraft provided overhead protection to the troops.
Who is the ISIS?
Foley's father: They showed no mercy
Messages from Foley's captors began last fall, Balboni of GlobalPost said. Foley, a freelance journalist, was on assignment when he disappeared on November 22, 2012, in northwest Syria, near the border with Turkey.
"The captors never messaged a lot. There was a very limited number with a very specific purpose. ... They made demands," Balboni said.
Some messages were political and some were financial.
Then came the final message last week, without any demand.
Foley's family, according to Balboni, responded in an e-mail, pleading for mercy and asking for more time.
Will ISIS attacks spread to U.S.? Who is James Foley? W.H. reacts to journalist's beheading
They did not hear back.
The captors showed no mercy, Foley's father, John, told reporters on Wednesday, breaking down in tears.
Foley's family appears to have been among the journalist's final thoughts.
In the execution video posted Tuesday to YouTube, Foley reads a message, presumably scripted in part, if not all, by his captors. "I wish I had more time. I wish I could have the hope for freedom to see my family once again," he can be heard saying.
Foley's parents, flanked by one of his brothers, talked to reporters about their son's plight.
"Jim was innocent and they knew it," his mother, Diane, said. "They knew that Jim was just a symbol of our country."
His father broke down several times.
"We beg compassion and mercy" for the other American journalist shown in the video, said John Foley. Sotloff, a contributor to Time and Foreign Policy magazines, was kidnapped at the Syria-Turkey border in 2013.
"They never hurt anybody," John Foley said. "They were trying to help. There is no reason for their slaughter."
James Foley, 40, previously had been taken captive in Libya. He was detained there in April 2011 along with three other reporters, and released six weeks later.
Afterward, he said that what saddened him most was knowing that he was causing his family to worry.
His parents talked about asking him why he wanted to return to conflict zones.
"Why do firemen keep going back to blazing homes?" John Foley told reporters. "This was his passion. He was not crazy. He was motivated by what he thought was doing the right thing ... that gave him energy to continue despite the risk."
His mother said she remembered him telling her, "Mom, I found my passion. I found my vocation."
Source: Foley tortured, beaten
Disturbing details about Foley's final months began to emerge Wednesday.
A source who claims to have been held last year with Foley told CNN's Bharati Naik that he, Foley and another journalist were held from March to August 2013 in a prison in the Syrian city of Aleppo near Masha al-Adfaa hospital.
At the time, the source -- who spoke on condition of anonymity -- said they were being held by al-Nusra Front, a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.
At one point, according to the source, there were almost 100 people -- including other European journalists -- in the prison.
The source believes Foley and the other journalist, who was not Sotloff, were transferred to an ISIS training camp.
Foley and the other journalist, according to the source, were tortured in prison -- mostly beaten.
Foley and the other journalist, who the source declined to identify, said they gave him contact numbers and e-mail addresses to pass on messages to their family members.
The source told CNN he lost the contacts and did not get in touch with the families. He said he did, however, give the information about the journalists to Western government authorities in November 2013, including details about where Foley was being held.
French journalist Nicolas Henin told France Info radio he had been held with Foley in northern Syria prior to his release in April.
Henin, who has never before spoken about Foley because he didn't want to jeopardize his safety, said he was held for seven months with the American journalist.
Hostages were held in groups. At one point, he shared a cell with Foley.
Foley "was in a difficult state," Henin said. "He already suffered a lot during his first months (of captivity) and thankfully we shared a phase (in our detention) that was less difficult."
Foley, according to Henin, said he had been initially kidnapped by a group of jihadists who were fighting in Syria.
The Committee to Protect Journalists estimates there are about 20 journalists missing in Syria, many of them held by ISIS.
Among them is American Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who was contributing articles to The Washington Post. Tice disappeared in Syria in August 2012. There has been no word of or from him since his abduction.
What to know about ISIS
Searching for clues
U.S. and British counterterrorism analysts are examining every frame and piece of audio of the execution video for clues about where it took place and who the executioner is, U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN.
The voice in the video seems to have a British accent so they're trying to match any individuals known to the British government who may have gone to Syria to fight in that nation's civil war.
The analysts are looking at clothing, climate, terrain, language and wording and whether there are any National Security Agency or UK phone intercepts matching the voice, the officials said.
U.S. Official: ISIS 'credible alternative to al Qaeda'
Foley's killing recalled the murder of Daniel Pearl, The Wall Street Journal correspondent who was kidnapped while reporting in Pakistan in January 2002. His killing was captured on video and posted online by al Qaeda.
Pearl's mother, Ruth Pearl, responded to Foley's death with a tweet posted by the Daniel Pearl Foundation Twitter account that reads: "Our hearts go out to the family of journalist James Foley. We know the horror they are going through."
Foley's death also harkened to the videotaped beheadings of Americans Nicholas Berg, Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley carried out by al Qaeda during the height of the Iraq War.
RJCarrot wrote: I had a SOFA agreement once.... My buddy needed a place to crash and I was like, you can crash on my SOFA if you keep my house clean....
Washington (CNN) -- U.S. special operations units were sent into Syria this summer to rescue American journalist James Foley and other hostages held by Islamic militants, a U.S. official told CNN.
Several dozen of the most elite U.S. commandos from units like Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team 6 flew in aboard helicopters but couldn't find the hostages, including Foley, whose grisly execution was captured on video and released this week by ISIS, the terror group that refers to itself as the Islamic State.
"Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said on Wednesday.
It's the latest revelation about Foley's final days in the hands of ISIS, which taunted his family in an e-mail a week ago, saying he would be killed.
"The message was vitriolic and filled with rage against the United States. It was deadly serious," said Philip Balboni, CEO of the online publication GlobalPost, which employed Foley.
ISIS beheads American reporter Was the ISIS militant a British citizen? Obama: No faith teaches this 'The world's most ruthless terrorists'
"Obviously, we hoped and prayed that would not be the case. ... Sadly, they showed no mercy."
Balboni told the Wall Street Journal that the captors originally demanded a ransom sum of 100 million euros ($132.5 million) from Foley's family and GlobalPost.
Then came the message sent to Foley's family last week. "There was no demand," Balboni said.
Obama: ISIS is a 'cancer'
Obama says ISIS a 'cancer' that must be eradicated
In the video, which CNN is not showing, Foley is seen on his knees as a man cloaked in black, his face covered, stands behind him.
Foley is then executed.
The video of his killing also shows another U.S. journalist, believed to be Steven Sotloff. The militant in the video, who speaks English with what sounds like a British accent, says the other American's life hangs in the balance, depending on what President Barack Obama does next in Iraq.
But the threat did little to curb U.S. military operations in Iraq, with American warplanes carrying out at least 14 airstrikes against ISIS targets.
Calling ISIS a "cancer," Obama said the United States "will continue to confront this hateful terrorism and replace it with a sense of hope and civility."
Several ISIS operatives were killed in the special operation earlier this summer that tried to rescue Foley and others, the U.S. official said. No U.S. personnel were killed, but one was slightly wounded. Fighters jets and surveillance aircraft provided overhead protection to the troops.
Who is the ISIS?
Foley's father: They showed no mercy
Messages from Foley's captors began last fall, Balboni of GlobalPost said. Foley, a freelance journalist, was on assignment when he disappeared on November 22, 2012, in northwest Syria, near the border with Turkey.
"The captors never messaged a lot. There was a very limited number with a very specific purpose. ... They made demands," Balboni said.
Some messages were political and some were financial.
Then came the final message last week, without any demand.
Foley's family, according to Balboni, responded in an e-mail, pleading for mercy and asking for more time.
Will ISIS attacks spread to U.S.? Who is James Foley? W.H. reacts to journalist's beheading
They did not hear back.
The captors showed no mercy, Foley's father, John, told reporters on Wednesday, breaking down in tears.
Foley's family appears to have been among the journalist's final thoughts.
In the execution video posted Tuesday to YouTube, Foley reads a message, presumably scripted in part, if not all, by his captors. "I wish I had more time. I wish I could have the hope for freedom to see my family once again," he can be heard saying.
Foley's parents, flanked by one of his brothers, talked to reporters about their son's plight.
"Jim was innocent and they knew it," his mother, Diane, said. "They knew that Jim was just a symbol of our country."
His father broke down several times.
"We beg compassion and mercy" for the other American journalist shown in the video, said John Foley. Sotloff, a contributor to Time and Foreign Policy magazines, was kidnapped at the Syria-Turkey border in 2013.
"They never hurt anybody," John Foley said. "They were trying to help. There is no reason for their slaughter."
James Foley, 40, previously had been taken captive in Libya. He was detained there in April 2011 along with three other reporters, and released six weeks later.
Afterward, he said that what saddened him most was knowing that he was causing his family to worry.
His parents talked about asking him why he wanted to return to conflict zones.
"Why do firemen keep going back to blazing homes?" John Foley told reporters. "This was his passion. He was not crazy. He was motivated by what he thought was doing the right thing ... that gave him energy to continue despite the risk."
His mother said she remembered him telling her, "Mom, I found my passion. I found my vocation."
Source: Foley tortured, beaten
Disturbing details about Foley's final months began to emerge Wednesday.
A source who claims to have been held last year with Foley told CNN's Bharati Naik that he, Foley and another journalist were held from March to August 2013 in a prison in the Syrian city of Aleppo near Masha al-Adfaa hospital.
At the time, the source -- who spoke on condition of anonymity -- said they were being held by al-Nusra Front, a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.
At one point, according to the source, there were almost 100 people -- including other European journalists -- in the prison.
The source believes Foley and the other journalist, who was not Sotloff, were transferred to an ISIS training camp.
Foley and the other journalist, according to the source, were tortured in prison -- mostly beaten.
Foley and the other journalist, who the source declined to identify, said they gave him contact numbers and e-mail addresses to pass on messages to their family members.
The source told CNN he lost the contacts and did not get in touch with the families. He said he did, however, give the information about the journalists to Western government authorities in November 2013, including details about where Foley was being held.
French journalist Nicolas Henin told France Info radio he had been held with Foley in northern Syria prior to his release in April.
Henin, who has never before spoken about Foley because he didn't want to jeopardize his safety, said he was held for seven months with the American journalist.
Hostages were held in groups. At one point, he shared a cell with Foley.
Foley "was in a difficult state," Henin said. "He already suffered a lot during his first months (of captivity) and thankfully we shared a phase (in our detention) that was less difficult."
Foley, according to Henin, said he had been initially kidnapped by a group of jihadists who were fighting in Syria.
The Committee to Protect Journalists estimates there are about 20 journalists missing in Syria, many of them held by ISIS.
Among them is American Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who was contributing articles to The Washington Post. Tice disappeared in Syria in August 2012. There has been no word of or from him since his abduction.
What to know about ISIS
Searching for clues
U.S. and British counterterrorism analysts are examining every frame and piece of audio of the execution video for clues about where it took place and who the executioner is, U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN.
The voice in the video seems to have a British accent so they're trying to match any individuals known to the British government who may have gone to Syria to fight in that nation's civil war.
The analysts are looking at clothing, climate, terrain, language and wording and whether there are any National Security Agency or UK phone intercepts matching the voice, the officials said.
U.S. Official: ISIS 'credible alternative to al Qaeda'
Foley's killing recalled the murder of Daniel Pearl, The Wall Street Journal correspondent who was kidnapped while reporting in Pakistan in January 2002. His killing was captured on video and posted online by al Qaeda.
Pearl's mother, Ruth Pearl, responded to Foley's death with a tweet posted by the Daniel Pearl Foundation Twitter account that reads: "Our hearts go out to the family of journalist James Foley. We know the horror they are going through."
Foley's death also harkened to the videotaped beheadings of Americans Nicholas Berg, Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley carried out by al Qaeda during the height of the Iraq War.
Failed Darkside operations needs to stay in the Dark because once known it becomes a propaganda subject for the Bad Guys.
Bad optics for him to go golfing after the journalist got beheaded. Wonder how the certain media going to view him now
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
The Department of Defense (DOD) violated section 8111 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 when it transferred five individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the nation of Qatar without providing at least 30 days notice to certain congressional committees. Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer. As a consequence of using its appropriations in a manner specifically prohibited by law, DOD also violated the Antideficiency Act.
Not holding my breath for Holder* to prosecute this...
Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
But this front-page and sentiments like this... I think, it's kinda harsh.
I mean, yeah this administration's foreign policy is weak-sauce, but it Obama's policies didn't put this reporter there.
Maybe the criticism is the excessive vacationing / fundraising... or something.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron is doing the exact same thing.
Was on holiday.
Got called back to London to deal with Iraq issues and the pressure to recall Parliament.
Went on a second holiday.
Got called back to London again to deal with the fallout over a British jihadist murdering American journalists.
Oh, and get this. Apparently the PM doesn't get good cell phone reception in Cornwall.
Meanwhile, our Deputy Prime Minister who is supposed to be running the country during the Prime Ministers absence is also on holiday, or something. Nobody really knows, it seems.
During an International Crisis and a civil war rising out of a power vacuum and mess we helped to create in a country from which we recently withdrew our troops...you'd think our leaders would have the sense to stick around in London close to the government, with events progressing as quickly as this.
Why don't they just holiday IN London? Take their family to the theatre, museums, cinema, bowling etc. Then if a crisis pops up, they can deal with it quickly then be back with their family the same day.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/08/21 20:38:04
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Meanwhile, our Deputy Prime Minister who is supposed to be running the country during the Prime Ministers absence is also on holiday, or something. Nobody really knows, it seems.
Perhaps it was the Deputy PM's voice that was heard on the video
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
What UCMJ article was broken?
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
What UCMJ article was broken?
Not UCMJ... the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014.
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
What UCMJ article was broken?
Not UCMJ... the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014.
You bright individual....
"Hey we have a schedule flight of a Air Force Aircraft heading to Qatar to drop of SINGAR radio's"
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
whembly wrote: Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
That's a pretty technical breach, even if we interpret the meanings of words in the way necessary to read it as a breach at all.
Don't get me wrong, I think the way Obama and his administration behaved in that prisoner exchange was terrible. But it was terrible because they struck a deal and released prisoners without any kind of review or oversight, not because money was spent to transport the prisoners to the drop off point.
I think trying to find some kind of technical breach of appropriations law only distracts from the real issue... in this sense it's much like the Perry indictment, the legalese response really just serves to distract from the bad behaviour.
“We may observe that the government in a civilized country is much more expensive than in a barbarous one; and when we say that one government is more expensive than another, it is the same as if we said that that one country is farther advanced in improvement than another. To say that the government is expensive and the people not oppressed is to say that the people are rich.”
Adam Smith, who must have been some kind of leftie or something.
Jihadin wrote: Bergdahl health was in jeopardy they said...so hence they could not inform Congress on what was going down. Military doctors seems to be performing in a Outstanding Stellar Fashion for Bergdahl
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
Money?
It cost money to transport the detainees. The law makes it explicit that the administration needs approval from Congress in order to do that.
Money already funded to the US military for the Fiscal year. We have a base in Qatar. For alI know we could of have stuck them in a C130 for the entire freaking trip there blind folded and cuffed.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. I doubt there was any need or requirement to put those guys in a cushy private Gulfstream 2000 and serve them tea and lemonade.
The noisy hold of a C130 with the heater turned off for a transatlantic flight (18 hrs?) is all they should get. Sorry no midflight movie or MRE even.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/08/22 01:39:10
Armies: Space Marines, IG, Tyranids, Eldar, Necrons, Orks, Dark Eldar.
I am the best 40k player in my town, I always win! Of course, I am the only player of 40k in my town.
whembly wrote: Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
That's a pretty technical breach, even if we interpret the meanings of words in the way necessary to read it as a breach at all.
Don't get me wrong, I think the way Obama and his administration behaved in that prisoner exchange was terrible. But it was terrible because they struck a deal and released prisoners without any kind of review or oversight, not because money was spent to transport the prisoners to the drop off point.
I think trying to find some kind of technical breach of appropriations law only distracts from the real issue... in this sense it's much like the Perry indictment, the legalese response really just serves to distract from the bad behaviour.
Remember, Al Capone was sentenced for tax evasion. Sometimes you go with the this type of charge because it is the easiest to prove.
Every time a terrorist dies a Paratrooper gets his wings.
Doesn't matter... The law prohibits the President from using money without proper permission or appropriation for any purpose. If Bergdahl's health was the true reason, then this administrations should've gotten Congressional approval... stat.
whemb, maybe you've never had to deal with getting something approved by congress, but 'stat' could be in 2-4 years. Hell, I've heard, and this may be an exaggeration, that the Pentagon assumes that a declaration of war might take as much as a month after the enemy starts landing troops along the Chesapeake, the way things currently are.
I might draw your attention to his Holiness, the Pope, recently urging countries to step up their game against ISIS. He doesn't quite say 'Deus Vult' but it's there if you read between the lines.
Fate is in heaven, armor is on the chest, accomplishment is in the feet. - Nagao Kagetora
Islamic State threat 'beyond anything we've seen': Pentagon BY MISSY RYAN
WASHINGTON Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:25pm EDT
(Reuters) - The sophistication, wealth and military might of Islamic State militants represent a major threat to the United States that may surpass that once posed by al Qaeda, U.S. military leaders said on Thursday.
"They are an imminent threat to every interest we have, whether it's in Iraq or anywhere else," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters at the Pentagon.
Hagel's assessment of Islamic State, which gained strength during Syria's civil war and swept into northern Iraq earlier this summer, sounded a note of alarm several days after the group posted a video on social media showing one of its fighters beheading an American hostage kidnapped in Syria.
Asked if the hardline Sunni Muslim organization posed a threat to the United States comparable to that of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Hagel said it was "as sophisticated and well-funded as any group we have seen."
"They are beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of ... military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded. This is beyond anything we've seen."
Hagel spoke as the United States continued attacking Islamic State targets in Iraq. In the past two weeks, U.S. drones and fighter jets have conducted 89 airstrikes against militant targets in northern Iraq.
So far, President Barack Obama has sought to limit his renewed military campaign in Iraq to protecting American diplomats and civilians under direct threat. Obama ended the war in Iraq that killed thousands of American soldiers and consumed U.S. foreign policy for nearly a decade,
Even after the gruesome killing of U.S. journalist James Foley, Obama is seen as unlikely to deepen his near-term military involvement in either Iraq or Syria as he seeks to avoid becoming embroiled in another messy Middle Eastern conflict.
But U.S. officials say they have not ruled out escalating military action against Islamic State, which has increased its overt threats against the United States since the air campaign in Iraq began.
'APOCALYPTIC, END-OF-DAYS VISION'
"We haven't made a decision to take additional actions at this time, but we truly don't rule out additional action against ISIL if it becomes warranted," Ben Rhodes, a senior Obama aide, told National Public Radio earlier on Thursday, using another name for Islamic State.
General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said officials were worried about the possibility that European or U.S. nationals, radicalized after fighting in Iraq or Syria, would return to their home countries.
Dempsey suggested Islamic State would remain a danger until it could no longer count on safe havens in areas of Syria under militant control.
"This is an organization that has an apocalyptic, end-of- days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated," Dempsey said.
"To your question, can they be defeated without addressing that part of their organization which resides in Syria? The answer is no. That will have to be addressed on both sides of what is essentially at this point a non-existent border."
So far as the Post, the frontpage photo was in bad taste and pretty misleading. The President OK'd a rescue operation and has had the military prosecuting 7 or 8 strikes a day for the last two weeks. That's a pretty aggressive response against an enemy that I would argue we can't legally fight at all - there is no AUMF against ISIL, after all. The Al-Aqaeda AUMF definitely does not apply, the Iraq one is a pretty far stretch, and if we're going war powers act, he better get congressional approval soon - and I haven't seen any indication President Obama intends to seek any approval for military force against ISIL at all.
BaronIveagh wrote: whemb, maybe you've never had to deal with getting something approved by congress, but 'stat' could be in 2-4 years.
In Whembly's defense, the law doesn't require approval, it requires congressional notice.
I argued doing the prisoner swap was the right thing, and I still feel that way, but also feel it was handled badly.
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lord_blackfang wrote: Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.
Flinty wrote: The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
Had to chuckle when I heard the Pope of all people was sticking his nose in. Might as well declare a Crusade, because that's what the entire Muslim world is going to assume anyway.
Ouze wrote: I'm not religious but a crusade would be sort of awesome, in a way. I mean, gleaming armor, tabards with red crosses - those were pretty pimp outfits.
right?
When the blazing midday sun is beating down on you, chainmail and heavy armour would be my first choice as well. Who needs suncream?
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Shadow Captain Edithae wrote: Had to chuckle when I heard the Pope of all people was sticking his nose in. Might as well declare a Crusade, because that's what the entire Muslim world is going to assume anyway.
The gak is REALLY about to hit the fan now.
Agreed. Who have thought that invading a country, killing thousands, and creating a power vacuum to be filled by murderous islamists, could ever happen? Certainly not me and certainly not all those middle eastern experts. !
It's a shame that America didn't have a historical lesson to draw on, say, a small country in SE Asia, which we'll call Cambodia for argument's sake, that was bombed endlessly, and ended up suffering a murderous genocide when the government collapsed and somebody else filled the vacuum...
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"Our crops will wither, our children will die piteous
deaths and the sun will be swept from the sky. But is it true?" - Tom Kirby, CEO, Games Workshop Ltd
Yes, we The West have a nasty habit of creating our own enemies and leaving nought but misery and despair in the wake of our liberal interventionism.
"It's for their own good" we say as we bomb countries back into the stone age and topple government's and dictators, "we're sowing the seeds of democracy".
Then when the cost proves too great, we turn tail and run, all the while declaring "Mission Accomplished!" and boasting of the wonderful utopias we've created, and, leaving the poor sods to fend for themselves and pick up the pieces.
As I understand it Libyas not doing too good these days after we helped "liberate" it, yet our war mongering media and governments seems to have lost interest.
Iraq is our unresolved mess, and if the Iraqi government requests aid then I think we have an obligation to do so, but invading it in the first place was a mistake. Striking against Bashar Asad and removing him from power like Saddam would left Syria in similar state to Iraq.
By trying to police the world and remaking in our own image, countries that are actually very different to us culturally we've helped leave the world in a worse state.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/08/22 11:52:14
Shadow Captain Edithae wrote: Yes, we The West have a nasty habit of creating our own enemies and leaving nought but misery and despair in the wake of our liberal interventionism.
"It's for their own good" we say as we bomb countries back into the stone age and topple government's and dictators, "we're sowing the seeds of democracy".
Then when the cost proves too great, we turn tail and run, all the while declaring "Mission Accomplished!" and boasting of the wonderful utopias we've created, and, leaving the poor sods to fend for themselves and pick up the pieces.
As I understand it Libyas not doing too good these days after we helped "liberate" it, yet our war mongering media and governments seems to have lost interest.
Iraq is our unresolved mess, and if the Iraqi government requests aid then I think we have an obligation to do so, but invading it in the first place was a mistake. Striking against Bashar Asad and removing him from power like Saddam would left Syria in similar state to Iraq.
By trying to police the world and remaking in our own image, countries that are actually very different to us culturally we've helped leave the world in a worse state.
The irony is that the West will probably have to ally with Assad, despite trying to get him removed these past three years!
This highlights a major problem with the west - ever since the end of the cold war, what is their geo-political goals, what is their long term, strategic view? There is none. Europe blundered in Ukraine, Britain and America fethed up in Libya/Iraq/Afghanistan and the USA watched China steal a march on them in Africa.
As bad as he is, Putin is the only leader these days with strategic goals - the protection of Russian interests in East Europe and the ME. The west seems to be thrashing around like a beached whale.
"Our crops will wither, our children will die piteous
deaths and the sun will be swept from the sky. But is it true?" - Tom Kirby, CEO, Games Workshop Ltd
whembly wrote: Right... but, Section 8111 prohibits DOD from using appropriated funds to transfer any individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay unless the Secretary of Defense notifies certain congressional committees at least 30 days before the transfer
That's a pretty technical breach, even if we interpret the meanings of words in the way necessary to read it as a breach at all.
Don't get me wrong, I think the way Obama and his administration behaved in that prisoner exchange was terrible. But it was terrible because they struck a deal and released prisoners without any kind of review or oversight, not because money was spent to transport the prisoners to the drop off point.
I think trying to find some kind of technical breach of appropriations law only distracts from the real issue... in this sense it's much like the Perry indictment, the legalese response really just serves to distract from the bad behaviour.
Its not technical. It was put into place specifically to stop Gitmo transfers. It was an apparently well founded fear.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
