Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

28 Sep 2011 20:28

tags

U.S.: Lone wolf terror suspect thought he worked with al-Qaeda, not the FBI

  • See this model plane here? It was a terror threat. This model plane was reportedly owned by a 26-year-old Massachusetts musician (and apparent lone wolf terror suspect) named Rezwan Ferdaus, who wanted to use this model plane (and another one) to blow up the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol. Obviously, it would’ve been loaded to the gills with explosives … if Ferdaus’ plan actually worked. See, the guys he was reportedly working with? He thought they were al-Qaeda operatives. Actually, they were FBI. Oops. Ferdaus also reportedly built some cell phones modified to blow up roadside bombs in Afghanistan. However, he also handed those to the FBI. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jun 2011 11:12

tags

U.S.: Today is Robert Gates’ last day at the Pentagon. *sniff*

We’re sitting in this coffee shop, blaring Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday” from our tinny MacBook speakers. And crying. We’re getting weird looks, but WE DON’T CARE! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Jun 2011 14:39

tags

U.S.: Pentagon bomb-scare suspect tied to building shootings

  • Remember those mysterious building shootings near DC a while back? Remember that Marine reservist who got arrested at Arlington National Cemetery last week with some possibly-for-bomb-making fertilizer on his back? Probably the same guy. At least that’s what authorities say about Yonathan Melaku, whom they charged with both crimes earlier today. The FBI says they found a video of him firing at what looks like the Marine Corps Museum in his apartment, along with some bomb-making materials and a list of other things he needed. It’s a good thing they caught this guy when they did, because he may have been a “lone wolf” seriously looking to do some damage. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Jun 2011 14:36

tags

U.S.: Pentagon scare: Marine reservist claimed he had explosives

  • claim Someone left a car near the Pentagon early this morning, and authorities thought that it might have a bomb in it. When the owner, a lance corporal in the Marines, was found at the then-closed Arlington National Cemetery and questioned, he claimed that he had explosive material on him.
  • truth Yonathan Melaku, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Ethiopia, carried an unknown quantity of ammonium nitrate, a non-explosive chemical fertilizer often used in explosives, in his possession. While nothing was in his car, he possessed a notebook with al-Qaeda-related notes in it — scary stuff. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2011 16:53

tags

World: Pentagon proposal for Libya aid awaits Obama’s approval

  • $25 million in proposed non-lethal aid to Libyan rebels source
  • » The Pentagon’s plan awaits President Obama’s approval. That said, $25 million is a relatively very minor cost to the U.S. in the context of a military action. It would, however, explicitly not go towards arming the rebels with western weaponry, but would rather send vehicles, supplies, medicines, and radios. The Gaddafi government threatened that such supply shipments would extend the bloody battles and “encourage the other side to be more defiant,” which is a pretty difficult quote to read with feeling unbearably angry.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Apr 2011 15:29

tags

Politics: Pentagon inquiry clears McChrystal over Rolling Stone article

  • Rolling Stone vs. the Pentagon: A Pentagon inquiry into the Rolling Stone article “The Runaway General,” which was written by Michael Hastings and basically got Stanley McChrystal fired, has by their claims vindicated the former General. They said they were unable to verify the accuracy of the events detailed, and that in many areas they could find no witnesses to corroborate the claims. Hastings and his editors aren’t having it, however; they stand behind the accuracy of the piece, making this something of a murky, “my word versus yours” scenario. Said Rolling Stone Executive Editor Eric Bates: “It’s accurate in every detail.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Mar 2011 11:20

tags

Politics: Leakers unite: Daniel Ellsberg says Bradley Manning just like him

  • I identify with him more than anyone else I’ve seen in the last 40 years.
  • Daniel Ellsberg • Speaking about Bradley Manning this weekend, a weekend which saw him getting arrested twice this weekend while protesting Manning’s imprisonment — once near the White House and once at Quantico brig. Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers, says that Manning’s treatment in solitary confinement is a form of torture. “It’s giving lie to President Obama’s promise to end torture,” he said. “It’s happening right here to an American soldier in an American brig.’’ Ellsberg also gave a big up to P.J. Crowley, who argued against Manning’s treatment before getting forced out by the State Department. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

11 Mar 2011 20:07

tags

U.S.: Obama completely sidesteps Bradley Manning treatment question

  • With respect to Private Manning, I have actually asked the Pentagon whether or not the procedures that have been taken in terms of his confinement are appropriate and are meeting our basic standards. They assure me that they are.
  • President Barack Obama • Saying something so bewildering about the treatment of Bradley Manning that he forced us to post something unrelated to Japan. “I can’t go into details about some of their concerns,” he added, “but some of this has to do with Private Manning’s safety as well.” Wow. He really said this? On the plus side, at least it’s far enough on his radar that he’s actually saying something about it. But it would’ve been nicer had he said something like this: “I don’t like our treatment of Bradley and have asked the Pentagon to adjust.” That’s what our president should’ve said about that naked guy our government is holding in Quantico brig. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Jan 2011 11:11

tags

U.S.: Was ex-Pentagon staffer killed because of feud with neighbor?

  • weird The body of a former Pentagon staffer, John P. Wheeler, was recently found in a landfill – which, let’s admit it, is disturbing and doesn’t exactly happen everyday.
  • weirder Reports suggest that not long before Wheeler died, he may have tried to blow up somebody’s home. He was apparently in a feud with a neighbor. He must’ve lost. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Nov 2010 20:41

tags

Politics, U.S.: Gay rights advocates win tiny, tiny, tiny victory

  • plea Gay rights groups asked the Pentagon to expedite its release of its study on the effects of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
  • response Defense Secretary Bob Gates agreed, and bumped up the release of the report…by one day. One whole day! source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
top tags
older >>