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July 14, 2006

BREAKING NEWS

Fox is reporting that Israel has hit the Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut. They believe the head bubba was in the building, but can't confirm it. There're also reports that that's where the attacks against Israel are being co-ordinated, but that doesn't make any sense to me. There's no reason they'd be running things from such an obvious, vunerable place.

MSNBC is reporting that Hezbollah TV says the Hezbollah HQ has been destroyed, but Sheik Hassan Nasrallah made it out in one piece*. That's a pity. No links yet.

*AP has that story.

All the network news stations are non-stop with this.

There are 2-4 casualties from the most recent Katyusha rocket barrages into Israel. The 2 that hit Haifa have been confirmed to be a new, juiced up Iranian version.
UPDATE: No decision out of the State Dept. yet, but the Iwo Jima is standing by in case they throw the 'evacuate Americans' flag. They'll use the Marines and their helicopters to ferry folks off shore to the ship**.

The head of Hezbollah is on al-Jazeera now, addressing the Lebanese people. "Israeli agression against Muslims"..."Oh dear people, defiant mujahadeen...you are a people of dignity, honor and defiance...we have two options. We're not just Hezbollah and not just resistance..."
UPDATE 1p.m.CST: The Sheik has also threatened Israel that they won't stop at Haifa now ~ they will target it and then move their attacks into the heart of central Israel. MSNBB has more on that.

Speaking in an audiotape aired on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, Nasrallah addressed himself to Israelis, saying: "You wanted an open war and we are ready for an open war."

**Military officials are discussing contingency plans for what appears now to be the inevitable evacuation of U.S. citizens.

One official says that the most likely plan would be to use the assets from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based out of Camp Lejeune. The 24th MEU is currently in the Red Sea near Jordan, conducting bilateral and unilateral training exercises.

The most likely candidate from the MEU would be the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima. It resembles a small aircraft carrier, complete with helicopters and light attack aircraft.

One official says that the military is working on the assumption that they would have to evacuate nearly 25,000 people.

Posted by tree hugging sister at July 14, 2006 02:13 PM

Comments

Go Joos!

Posted by: Ken Summers at July 14, 2006 01:39 PM

That "Go Joos" comment was over the top. I unequivocally condemn it.

Posted by: Ken Summers at July 14, 2006 03:57 PM

You meant "Go Joos Guys", or, as our southern friends would say, "Go y'all", didn't you?

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 14, 2006 04:49 PM

But I am very concerned, Ken.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 14, 2006 04:50 PM

I believe there are women in the Israeli army so it's probably "Go Joos Guys and Dolls". Or maybe it was "Goys and Dolls". But I condemn it nonetheless.

Posted by: Ken Summers at July 14, 2006 06:29 PM

Hey, while the Marines are there, can we join in the fun? I'm not a big fan of Israel, but in this case I'd like to help them kill a lot of Syrian Ba'athists and Hezbollah.

Posted by: Mike Rentner at July 14, 2006 08:29 PM

Hey,

If someone were firing missles at my home, I'd be dam sure to send MORE than missles back.

I'm no great lover of Jews or their religion but, I say more power to 'em. Less Moe-ham-heads for us here to worry about.

Rick

Posted by: Rick(lude) at July 15, 2006 02:11 AM

Mike, I'm afraid that's up to your Commander-in-Chief - but if it were my call, I'd say GO FOR IT!

Posted by: Kathy K at July 15, 2006 07:51 PM