CNN reports Air Force grounds F-15s in Afghanistan after Missouri crash

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A mandatory grounding of Air Force F-15s has been expanded to cover those flying combat missions over Afghanistan after a crash in Missouri last week, Air Force officials said Monday.

The F-15Es in Afghanistan can fly only in emergency situations to protect U.S. and coalition troops in a battle, according to Maj. John Elolf, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force Central Command.

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Laura Rozen of War and Piece has found something that is a brilliant example on so many levels of why these people need to be replaced before they injure themselves.

You have to read this article by Jeff Stein, CQ National Security Editor: FBI Hoped to Follow Falafel Trail to Iranian Terrorists Here.

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Is there anyone that the Shrubbery has decided is a great individual who hasn’t turned into a total disaster?

During the 2000 Presidential campaign the Shrubbery didn’t know who the president of Pakistan was, and we would all be better off if that were still the case.

Noah Shachtman at Danger Room notes that the military assistance we have been sending to Pakistan isn’t being used for counter-terrorism: Musharraf Uses U.S. Cash to Fight India.

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There is constant tension in the West about Federal land and how that land is used, which always seems to end up helping corporations. With all that land some might question why the government needs to buy up private land whenever the government needs to do something.

For example, Peter Slevin writes in The Washington Post that Ranchers angry over army site expansion

The U.S. Army wants 418,000 acres of private ranch land to triple the size of its Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, a training area considered suitable — some would say essential — for preparing American warriors to do battle in the Middle East and Afghanistan. The 1,000-square-mile facility would be 15 times the size of the District.
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Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.

The British are celebrating the anniversary of the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot.

A group of English Catholic conspirators including an explosives expert, Guy Fawkes, stashed 36 barrels of gunpowder in the basement of the Parliament building with the intent of blowing up the members of Parliament and King James I during the official opening of Parliament on November 5^th, 1605.

Bonfire Night is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks. Effigies of Guy Fawkes, and occasionally the Pope, are traditionally thrown on the fires. Effigies of modern politicians have made their appearances at the celebration.

As Robert Cecil was involved, I doubt anyone will ever know the truth about the plot.