NORAD exercise planned for Washington, D.C.

NORAD exercise planned for Washington, D.C.

U.S. Army Public Affairs Handbook

U.S. Army Public Affairs Handbook: "

Army Public Affairs Center

• ST 45-07-01


• 244 pages


• Army Public Affairs Center 6th ACR Rd, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-5650


• For Official Use Only


• April 5, 2007

Who is your audience?

When you talk to reporters, you are actually talking through the reporters to:

o Family and friends

o Other Soldiers & potential recruits

o Audiences throughout the world

o Political members and opinion leader

o Shadow Audiences

…

Why “Go Ugly Early”?

Decisions about when to release information internally depend, in large part, on the situation. However, commands should understand that there can be negative consequences of holding onto information.

Below are some suggestions on why to release information as early as possible:

1. The American public, Congress and the media are entitled to “timely and accurate” information about the military, per the DoD Principles of Information (See Appendix).

2. Early release of information sets the pace and tone for resolution of a problem.

3. If you wait, the story will often leak anyway. If it does, you jeopardize trust and credibility.

4. You can better control the accuracy of the information if you are the first to present it.

5. There is more likely to be time for meaningful public involvement in decision-making if the information is released promptly.

6. Prompt release of information about one situation may prevent similar situations elsewhere.

7. Less work is required to release information early than to respond to inquiries, attacks, misinformation, etc., which might result from a delayed response.

8. You are apt to earn public trust if you release information promptly.

9. If you wait, publics may feel angry and resentful about not learning of the information earlier.

10. People are more likely to overestimate the risk if you hold onto information.

…

Effective information operations require the early coordination and synchronization of PA, CA and PSYOP.

…

All Department of Defense (DOD) personnel must understand that whether classified or unclassified the information to which they have access including their very life style is valuable to our adversaries.

…

Always assume the entire world, adversaries included, is reading or intercepting your material – email, BLOG, or personal web page, text message, or video transmission.

…

Any official DOD information (any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions in any medium or form) intended for public release that pertains to military matters, national security issues, or subjects of significant concern to the Department of Defense shall be reviewed for clearance by appropriate security review and Public Affairs Officers prior to release . . .

…

The following is a summary of some of the types of information that must not be displayed on any public accessible web site including personal BLOGS or other electronic media operated by individual service members or DOD civilian or contract employees:

• Pre-decisional information, proprietary information, business sensitive information, information designated as For Official Use Only (FOUO).

…

Finally, remember, once you post information, it cannot be “removed.” Ask yourself, “Is this how I want to be remembered?”

…

Before beginning the interview, collect your thoughts, remind yourself of the ground rules, and remember there is no such thing as “off the record.”

…

Physical presence during the interview

• In stand-up interviews, stand straight. Don’t lean into the microphone and don’t rock back and forth.


• Hands should be relaxed and at your sides at the beginning of interviews.


• If sitting, sit with the base of your spine back on the chair and lean slightly forward.


• Warmth, friendliness and sincerity are important to the interview. Key tools are smiles, gestures and pauses, at appropriate times. But don’t smile at serious matters or out of discomfort. Concentrate on the interview – listen! Avoid looking around the area.


• Don’t take the questioner’s attitude, even on hostile questions.


• Keep your head up. The audience must see your eyes.


• Look at the interviewer when responding to questions. Don’t look at the camera.


• Be yourself. Concentrate on HOW to get ideas across – not just words.

…

(Stay in your lane).

…

d. Staff Coordination.

1) PA, PSYOP, and CMO communicate information to influence audience understanding and perceptions of operations. They are coordinated to eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort, ensure unity of purpose, and ensure credibility is not undermined.

2) PA works with the conventional operations functions as well to ensure that unity of purpose is met during the full spectrum of operations.

3) The PA section must maintain a presence in the planning cell to ensure that PA is planned into all future operations.

…

10. Command the information: Stay ahead of the story by maintaining follow-on press releases, statements, making responders or support network officials available for escorted media interviews. Be perceived as having nothing to hide without speculating on causes or specifics that may be part of an administrative, criminal or safety investigation.

Understand the media’s goals.

Stay tight organizationally, but stay loose tactically. Sometimes a crisis will unfold in ways that can’t be predicted. Flexibility is essential

and options should be continuously re-examined.

…

POSSIBLE CRISES TO ANTICIPATE

The following list of likely situations will help form the plan:

• Aircraft accident

• Fire

• Labor dispute

• Whistle blowing

• Class action suit

• Environmental damage

• Sexual harassment

• Mismanagement

• Discrimination

• Natural disaster/catastrophe

• Computer tampering

• Damaging rumor

• Equipment sabotage

• Employee death or serious injury

• Security leak

• Special interest group attack

• Bombings

• Land mine explosion

• Government investigation

• Hostage situation

• Kidnappings

• Major weapons theft

• Mass demonstrations

• Hijackings

• Mail bombs

• Poisonings

• Political assassination

• Events involving former soldiers

PA should wargame the situations and insert scenario-specific instructions.

Identify the possible internal and external agencies involved. The external list could include other governmental organizations such as

FEMA, FBI, EPA, or local and regional contacts from the police, hospitals, county officials, etc.

…

5. MESSAGE MANAGEMENT

a. Keep command messages, such as Army values and concern for Soldiers, civilians and families prominent when responding to accidents or incidents.

b. Initial releases typically state that the cause of injury or death is under investigation. In cases of injury or death, a message of

concern from the command for the victims and their families is appropriate (generally in a follow up release) after NOK notification.

c. Other possible key messages in releases following an accident or incident are as follows:

(1) We must train as we fight, and realistic training can be dangerous.

(2) We do our best to ensure the safety of our Soldiers as they train and operate in an intense, potentially dangerous environment.

(3) Criminal activity has no place in the Army, and we will actively pursue and prosecute those who engage in such activity.

(4) We are a highly trained, highly capable force.

(5) Our Soldiers, civilians, and families are very important to us and we always seek to do the right thing for them.

(6) We will ensure everyone affected is treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process. We will keep our Soldiers, family embers, civilian employees, local national employees, and host nation governments informed during every step of the process.

d. As more information becomes available, follow-up releases often offer opportunities to reinforce previous messages and to incorporate additional messages.

…

(3) According to the Guidelines for Releasing Information on the Conditions of Patients under the HIPAA, as long a patient has not requested that information be withheld, PAOs may release the patient’s one-word condition and location to individuals who inquire about the patient by name without obtaining prior patient authorization. The one-word conditions and their definitions are as follows:

(a) Undetermined: Patient is awaiting a physician, an assessment, or both.

(b) Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are favorable.

(c) Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.

(d) Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.

(e) Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.

…

Media Monitoring

FUNCTIONS

Request funding for translators prior to deployment. There are US companies who provide translators as well as hiring locals. Monitor print, web and broadcast news to report the influence media has on local populace as well as international community. Collection and assessment of local and international media perceptions and attitudes related to news published concerning US and coalition militaries.

Assessing effect of selected media products.

Monitoring the scope of distribution worldwide of published news.

REPORTING PROCEDURES

Topics for immediate reporting include: positive or negative news concerning US or Coalition forces and footage of Coalition soldiers being attacked.

Main topics are individual topics that should be searched for daily.

Each topic requires a different means of reporting depending on the topic.

Hot Topics are individual topics that need immediate attention. These topics will require immediate searching capabilities and reporting procedures.

Media Analysis

A media content analysis will provide an evaluation of the quantity and the nature of that coverage, and reveal intended as well as unintended messages. An analysis of the media provides feedback to the PA and IO sections for the production of future themes and messages. The analysis covers the US, international and host nation media. Media analysis is more than simply collecting and summarizing news stories.

A typical media analysis can answer the following questions:

• How do the media frame public discussion of an issue (by repeating various story elements, using common metaphors, quoting similar people, etc.)?

• Who are the main spokespeople on a particular topic, and how are they being quoted? Are they mainly advocates, policymakers, academic experts, etc.?

• How often are various spokespeople quoted and in what context?

• What themes and messages are being covered, and what themes and messages are being ignored?

• Which outlets are covering or ignoring an issue or organization that they should be covering?

• Is there a time of year when an issue or organization is more likely to be covered than others?

• Is a topic or organization the top news, and if not, where in the paper or broadcast is that topic or organization covered?

• Which reporters are writing on this issue/organization?

• Was the information published positive, neutral or negative?

• How long did the planned themes and messages penetrate the media outlets?

…

Respond to hard questions with “bad news” as willingly as you do good news to establish credibility and a good relationship.

"

Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems Selects DDC-I's DO-178B RTOS and Tools for Airbus A350 Program

Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems Selects DDC-I's DO-178B RTOS and Tools for Airbus A350 Program: "

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DDC-I, a leading supplier of software and professional services for safety-critical applications, today announced that Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems has selected DDC-I’s time and space partitioned Deos™ real-time operating system (RTOS), OpenArbor™ development tools and DO-178B certification artifacts for use in the Concentrator and Multiplexor for Video (CMV), which is part of the Airbus A350’s External Cameras and Cockpit Video (ECCV) System. Goodrich made the selection after an extensive evaluation of COTS DO-178B RTOSes.

“We are extremely pleased that Goodrich has selected our certifiable RTOS and tools for this important program”

“We are extremely pleased that Goodrich has selected our certifiable RTOS and tools for this important program,” said Greg Rose, vice president of marketing at DDC-I. “Deos represents the culmination of hundreds of person-years of engineering investment, and provides the lowest risk, lowest cost and fastest path to avionics certification of any COTS RTOS. Deos has already been certified to DO-178B Level A in dozens of programs and flies on more commercial and military airframes than any other certifiable COTS RTOS.”

Deos is the industry’s most robust, highest performance RTOS for the safety-critical market. Featuring deterministic real-time response, the memory-protected RTOS employs patented “slack scheduling” to deliver higher CPU utilization than any other safety-critical COTS RTOS. Deos is the only certifiable time and space (T&S) partitioned COTS RTOS built from the ground up for safety-critical applications. Deos also provides the easiest, lowest cost path of any COTS RTOS to DO-178B Level A certification, the highest level of safety criticality.

Development support for Deos includes DDC-I’s Eclipse-based, mixed language OpenArbor IDE, which features C and C++ optimizing compilers, a color-coded source editor, project management support, automated build utilities, and a mixed-language, multi-window, symbolic debugger. OpenArbor also provides broad run-time target options, from the robust Deos RTOS through minimal bare-board run-time systems.

About DDC-I, Inc.

DDC-I, Inc. is a global supplier of real-time operating systems, software development tools, custom software development services, and legacy software system modernization solutions, with a primary focus on safety-critical applications. DDC-I's customer base is an impressive 'who's who' in the commercial, military, aerospace, and safety-critical industries. DDC-I offers safety-critical real-time operating systems, compilers, integrated development environments and run-time systems for C, C++, Ada, Fortran and JOVIAL application development. For more information regarding DDC-I products, contact DDC-I at 1825 E. Northern Ave., Suite #125, Phoenix, Arizona 85020; phone (602) 275-7172; fax (602) 252-6054; e-mail sales@ddci.com or visit www.ddci.com/mktg.php?mc=pr1001.

"

Israel to build Egyptian border fence

Israel to build Egyptian border fence: "

Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu says £170m project will close border to 'infiltrators and terrorists'

Israel is to build a fence equipped with advanced surveillance tools along part of its border with Egypt to keep out African migrants and illegal workers.

The two-year project will cost around 1bn shekels (£170m) and is intended to challenge the increasing number of migrants trying to cross into Israel from Egypt's Sinai desert. Israeli police say between 100 and 200 African migrants arrive every week. Some come for work, others to escape political persecution. Some are jailed, many are simply turned back.

The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said the fence would also deter militants, although it will cover only part of the border. 'I took the decision to close Israel's southern border to infiltrators and terrorists. This is a strategic decision to secure Israel's Jewish and democratic character,' he said. Although he said Israel would be open to refugees from conflict zones, he added: 'We cannot let tens of thousands of illegal workers infiltrate into Israel through the southern border and inundate our country with illegal aliens.'

The fence appears primarily intended to stop Africans looking for asylum or work from crossing through Egypt into Israel, rather than to prevent terrorist attacks. When complete, the new sections of fence will mean Israel will be almost entirely fenced in. On its international borders Israel already has heavily-patrolled fences with Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The Egyptian border will only be partly fenced under this new plan.

In recent years Israel has built fences with the occupied Palestinian territories too: the Gaza boundary is marked with an electronic fence and inside the West Bank a vast concrete and steel barrier has been half-built, ostensibly for security but which many believe may yet become a political border.

'We need a fence, as I said 10 years ago, with all of our neighbours,' said Ehud Barak, Israel's defence minister. 'With the Palestinians we need two states for two people, a fence that will surround a solid Jewish majority, we will be here and they will be there.'

The full length of the border is around 170 miles (270km), but the fence will be built only in two areas, according to Israeli reports. One part will run south and east from Gaza for around 30 miles, while a second fence will run north from the Israeli city of Eilat over another 30 miles. It will have two layers of fencing, one with barbed wire, and a radar to alert Israeli border patrols to anyone trying to cross. Electronic devices will cover the area between the two fences.

In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of African migrants trying to cross into Israel. Some are able to stay and find short-term work, but very few get the official refugee status they seek and which some of them do deserve. Many come from Sudan, including Darfur, others come from Eritrea and elsewhere in Africa. There are Christians and Muslims but their arrival has brought a sharp debate in Israel, a country built in large part on the wave of Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust in Europe.

Israeli officials believe many migrants are simply coming to find work in the nearest developed economy, rather than being on the run from political persecution at home. Human rights workers in Israel say some do have genuine asylum cases and that those seeking asylum should be individually screened and assessed.

Egyptian police also patrol the desert border with Israel and have reportedly stepped up their attempts to stop people illegally crossing. They have killed at least 17 migrants in the past year.

Egypt is also now building an underground steel wall along its short border with the Gaza Strip, apparently under pressure from Israel and the US to crack down on the smuggling industry on which Gazans have become reliant.

• Israel
• Middle East
• Egypt
• Palestinian territories

Rory McCarthy

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

"

Update: Earthquake rocks Eureka, damage widespread - Times-Standard Online

Update: Earthquake rocks Eureka, damage widespread - Times-Standard Online: "

Update: Earthquake rocks Eureka, damage widespread - Times-Standard Online

Update: Earthquake rocks Eureka, damage widespread - Times-Standard Online


A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Eureka at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, leaving much of the city without power and police scanners buzzing with reports of damage and injuries.
The quake, which lasted for around 30 seconds, had power poles waving back and forth along Eureka streets and brought panicked residents out of their homes.
The Bayshore Mall, as of 5:30 p.m., had been closed off to customers and employees. It was unclear how many people were injured there, but one employee reported that several people were picked up by ambulances.
Employees also reported light fixtures falling out of the ceiling and floor tiles popping up off the ground. Another employee reported seeing chunks of the ceiling fall onto customers.
Employees

"

Continental Airlines suspends operations at its Cleveland hub through 6 pm because of airport power outage

Continental Airlines suspends operations at its Cleveland hub through 6 pm because of airport power outage http://bit.ly/55MygB

Introduction To The Israeli Air Force

Introduction To The Israeli Air Force: "

Israeli Air Force

• 6 pages


• For Official Use Only


• August 14, 2007

"

Impulse C Biotechnology DNA Sequencing Search Algorithm Accelerated on Pico Computing Platform with Multiple Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGAs

Impulse C Biotechnology DNA Sequencing Search Algorithm Accelerated on Pico Computing Platform with Multiple Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGAs: "

Impulse Accelerated Technologies today announced that its CoDeveloper C-to-FPGA compiler has been used to develop and deploy a bioinformatics search algorithm on a new, modular FPGA acceleration platform created by Pico Computing, of Seattle, Washington. The FPGA-accelerated bioinformatics algorithm, written in C, performs sequence analysis and pair-match scoring of DNA runs with lengths of 25 base pairs. The algorithm is inherently parallel, making it an ideal candidate for acceleration using a large number of FPGA devices. Within two days of powering up the EX-500 with the first Virtex-6 SX240T FPGA computing modules, Pico Computing engineers had successfully migrated and tested the C-language bioinformatics searching algorithm and demonstrated significant improvements in algorithm speed and throughput over previous generation FPGA products.

“This bioinformatics algorithm created by Pico Computing is a solid example of how higher-level design tools such as Impulse C can speed the development and deployment of complex algorithms,” said Brian Durwood, co-Founder and COO of Impulse. “Our Platform Support Package integration with multiple Pico Computing products, including the EX-500, allowed this algorithm to be moved with little difficulty onto platforms ranging from single-FPGA cards, to FPGA clusters based on Xilinx Spartan, Virtex-5 and now the new Virtex-6 FPGAs.”

Using the new, modular EX-500 platform as the foundation, and Impulse C as the programming tool, Pico Computing software and firmware engineers were able to successfully deploy the bioinformatics algorithm with no significant changes needed to the algorithm source code. The Pico EX-500 supports up to six M-501 modules per PCI Express board. Each module can be configured with a range of FPGAs including the Xilinx Virtex®-6 LX240T devices used in this first test application. Pico Computing will demonstrate this algorithm at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference exhibit area on January 10-12, booth #426.

“The M-501 modules with Virtex-6 FPGAs satisfy demands from our customers for increasing levels of computing performance, in applications that range from data security to life sciences and financial modeling,” said Mark Hur, Director of Sales and Marketing for Pico Computing. “Our government and commercial customers depend on our ability to supply the most advanced acceleration solutions, using the most up-to-date FPGA technologies and the most advanced tools for FPGA programming. We are happy to be partnering with Impulse on this and other applications.”

Impulse is also partnering with the University of Washington, University of Florida, University of Madrid and other schools on Tomography, Radiology and many other medical and medical imaging projects.

About Impulse

Impulse provides software-to-FPGA solutions, training and design services for embedded and high performance computing. Impulse solutions are used to accelerate the development and deployment of high-throughput industrial, medical, defense, aerospace, automotive and consumer electronics applications. Impulse C is used by many government agencies, most of the worlds’ auto makers and hundreds of R&D teams. For more information, visit www.ImpulseAccelerated.com.

About Pico Computing

Pico Computing, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, specializes in highly integrated development and deployment platforms based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies. Applications for Pico Computing technologies include cryptography, networking, signal processing, bioinformatics, and scientific computing. Pico Computing products are used in embedded systems as well as in military, national security and high performance computing applications. For more information about Pico products and services, visit www.picocomputing.com.

"

GE Intelligent Platforms Announces Intel Core i7-based Single Board Computer

GE Intelligent Platforms Announces Intel Core i7-based Single Board Computer: "

• Improved performance/watt for optimum deployment flexibility

• Two XMC slots (VR12, CR12) maximize connectivity

• Fully rugged (VR12, CR12) enables use in harsh environments

• Up to 8 GBytes DDR3 memory enables support for demanding applications

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, JANUARY 07, 2010 GE Intelligent Platforms today announced three new single board computer products based on Intel® Core™ i7 processor technology operating at up to 2.53 GHz. The new boards are the rugged 6U VME VR12, the rugged 6U CompactPCI® CR12 and the 6U VME XVB601. The company also disclosed plans to announce rugged 6U VPX and rugged 3U VPX single board computers based on Intel Core i7 processing technology, making a total of five boards either announced or in development.

These new boards are characterized by remarkable performance in demanding applications such as radar processing and flight control as well as in general purpose industrial and commercial system-level applications. The VR12 and CR12 also feature the inclusion of two XMC expansion sites in a true single-slot solution, providing customers with access to a broad range of options for I/O, communications and other capabilities. The boards can support up to 8 GBytes of DDR3 SDRAM memory with ECC.

“The increased integration and increased density of this new family of processors from Intel offers us astonishing new opportunities,” said Peter Cavill, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Products for GE Intelligent Platforms. “Not only do they deliver significantly enhanced processing capability, but they also provide a level of throughput that has allowed us to implement additional functionality. That will substantially increase the flexibility available to our customers to choose exactly the right platform for their application. Customers will achieve greater productivity per slot, while lowering overall system power consumption.”

The new generation of Intel Core i7 processors incorporates a number of innovations including a 32 nanometer manufacturing process, enabling greater performance without compromising power consumption and heat dissipation; the integration of the memory controller, delivering lower latency and higher memory bandwidth for data-intensive applications; and the integration of the graphics processor which, together with the integration of the memory controller, makes the chipset more compact, increasing throughput and freeing board space. Also included are a number of pioneering features such as Intel Intelligent Power Technology and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, multi-level shared cache, Vectorizing Compiler and Media Accelerators and Efficient Accelerated String- And Text Processing, all of which contribute to increased performance across a range of audio, video, graphics, database and data mining applications.

“The new Intel Core i7 processor represents several new breakthroughs in processor engineering,” said Ryan Parker, director of marketing, Intel Embedded and Communications Group. “Thirty-two nanometer process technology delivers outstanding performance and power efficiency, while integration of the memory controller and graphics processor enables customers like GE Intelligent Platforms to reduce their footprints and optimize their use of valuable board space.”

The VR12 is a rugged 6U VMEbus single board computer featuring an Intel Core i7-610E processor operating at 2.53 GHz. As well as supporting up to 8GBytes of soldered DDR3 SDRAM with ECC, it provides support for two PCI-X® PMCs or two x8 PCI Express® XMCs. Connectivity includes two front Gigabit Ethernet ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, VGA, five USB ports, two DVI ports, three SATA ports and two COM ports. It is available in five ruggedization levels, from benign/office to fully rugged convection cooled.

The CR12 is identical in specification to the VR12, except that it is a CompactPCI single board computer.

The XVB601 is a 6U VMEbus single board computer featuring the Intel Core i7 processor at speeds up to 2.53 GHz and supporting up to 8 GBytes of soldered DDR3 SDRAM with ECC. It features dual on-board expansion slots, with provision for one PCI-X PMC/x4 PCI Express XMC card and one PCI-X PMC board. Connectivity includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, VGA, eight USB ports, DVI and three COM ports.

All three boards are available to lead customers immediately. General commercial availability of the XVB601 is planned for March 2010, with the VR12 and CR12 planned to follow in the second quarter of the year.

About GE Intelligent Platforms

GE Intelligent Platforms is an experienced high-performance technology company and a global provider of software, hardware, services, and expertise in automation and embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile and reliable technology providing customers a sustainable advantage in the industries they serve, including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and telecommunications. GE Intelligent Platforms is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, visit www.ge-ip.com.

A high resolution image to illustrate this release can be found at:

www.genewscenter.com/imagelibrary/detail.asp?Me[...]

Contact:

Ian McMurray, GE Intelligent Platforms

+44 (0) 1327 322821

ian.mcmurray@ge.com

Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. CompactPCI is a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. PCI Express and PCI-X are registered trademarks of PCI-SIG. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

"

ISAF Forces Capture Large Cache of Narcotics

2010-01-CA–023
For Immediate Release
 

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Jan. 8) – ISAF air and ground elements coordinated early Wednesday morning to capture more than 6,000 pounds of illegal drugs in the Maiwand district.

Shortly before 3 a.m., an ISAF Scout Weapons Team, consisting of two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, observed a suspicious vehicle attempting to evade them. The SWT maintained visual contact with the fleeing vehicle while relaying the information to nearby soldiers.
As the soldiers moved to intercept the truck it stopped, and both occupants fled to nearby cover. The SWT guided the soldiers to the truck and the two male suspects hiding a short distance away.
A subsequent search of the truck revealed more than 5,300 pounds of processed opium, more than 1,000 pounds of wet opium paste, approximately 50 pounds of heroin, and multiple firearms with ammunition.
The suspects were detained and the drugs have been destroyed on site. A portion of the seized narcotics has been retained for analysis.
Investigation of this incident is ongoing.
____________________________________________________________________
IJC Public Affairs Office
IJC Public Affairs Office – operates 24 hours a day
Primary Tel: From Afghanistan 079 951 3999 (wait for voice prompt) 688-4441/4447 or dial
070 113 2000 (wait for dial tone) 318-449-9244/9153/9154
From outside Afghanistan +93 799 51 3999 (wait for voice prompt) 688-4441/4447
E-Mail: ijc.media@afghan.swa.army.milThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or jcmediaopsnu@apod-kaia.isaf.nato.intThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.nato.int/isaf
Notes for Editors:
1. The latest High Resolution stills can be downloaded for news purposes here
2. Visit us on the Web at ISAFmedia.com or on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr or DVIDS

Crisis in Nigeria as president drops out of view

Crisis in Nigeria as president drops out of view: "

Nothing has been heard of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of Nigeria for 45 days after he left the country for medical treatment

The president is missing. The executive chair is empty, the in-tray overflowing, and 150 million people are crying out for leadership.

This is the crisis enveloping Nigeria, political rivals and activists say, as rumours swirl around the health of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, not seen in public for 45 days.

Africa's most populous country has allegedly become a rudderless ship despite a series of urgent issues, including the arrest of the Nigerian al-Qaida suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, charged with attempting to blow up a plane over Detroit on Christmas Day.

It has been more than six weeks since Yar'Adua left the country to be treated for a heart condition, reportedly in Saudi Arabia. The 58-year-old devout Muslim took off without informing the legislature and did not transfer power to his deputy.

His absence appears to have created a headless state and a sea of awkward constitutional questions. Opposition politicians have accused Yar'Adua's allies of covering for his absence by forging his signature on the country's supplementary budget.

They have demanded proof that the president is still alive, suggesting that he record a dated video statement or take part in a live TV or radio phone-in. One human rights group has suggested he be declared a missing person and a search party sent out to find him.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said: 'We have not heard from the president for 45 days – not one word. I don't know where he is; your guess is as good as mine. Everything is shrouded in secrecy and we are worried as a country.'

The NBA, a human rights lawyer and two former MPs have filed legal actions against the government, accusing Yar'Adua of breaching the constitution by staying in power. Akeredolu said the alleged involvement of a Nigerian citizen in the recent US bomb plot showed the present void was untenable. 'It's a big problem because we don't have leadership. How do we give assurances to America? How do we communicate with the president of the United States and his secretary of state?'

Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia today insisted that Yar'Adua is 'sound and fit' in a hospital in the country, but said it was still unclear when he would return home.

'He is recuperating in a royal suite attached to the hospital for VIPs. He is sound and fit, he sits, eats and walks very well. He is recuperating to have enough rest before he goes back to the office,' Abdullah Aminchi told Reuters. Asked when the president would return to Nigeria, Aminchi said: 'It is the doctors who will say when.'

In the meantime, Goodluck Jonathan, the vice-president, has been heading cabinet meetings, insisting: 'The ship of state continues to sail.' But executive powers have not officially been transferred to him, raising questions over the legality of decisions made by the government.

Nigeria, a country of more than 200 ethnic groups that emerged from military rule only a decade ago, can ill afford a power vacuum. Two outbreaks of violence involving Islamic radicals in the past six months have been ruthlessly crushed by security forces, leaving hundreds dead.

An uneasy truce is holding in the oil-producing Niger Delta but last month armed men who attacked a pipeline blamed the president's absence for delaying the peace process. Nigeria is locked in a diplomatic row with the US following new security restrictions on the country's air passengers as a result of the terror plot.

Antony Goldman, head of PM Consulting, a London-based risk analysis firm specialising in west Africa, said: 'The efforts made by the president's people to say everything is fine are counterproductive. They haven't even been able to produce a picture of him. A picture would speak a million words.'

Officials have been scrambling to provide reassurances that Yar'Adua is alive and still fit to govern.

But critics say such assurances are no longer enough. The opposition Action Congress party has demanded visual proof of Yar'Adua's condition, saying: 'The president must speak directly to the remaining 149,999,997 Nigerians, using the dated video recording format that we suggested in our earlier statement on Monday.'

The government also faces scrutiny over its claim that Yar'Adua signed the supplementary budget from his sickbed in Saudi Arabia. The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), an opposition group, has written to the police asking them to investigate claims of forgery.

Yar'Adua had a serious kidney complaint in 2000, and tried to dismiss rumours of continued ill health in 2007 by challenging his critics to a game of squash. He interrupted his campaign months later to seek medical care in Germany. He was recently diagnosed with acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart membrane that can be life-threatening.

Shehu Sani, president of the Civil Rights Congress in Nigeria, said: ''The absence of Mr President is spreading both anxiety and apprehension and creating an atmosphere for underground power struggle and machination that could at any moment be aggravated. The vice-president is a lame duck: weak, indecisive and now surrounded by vultures from the ruling party urging him to assert himself, but their loyalty can change back to Yar'Adua if he recovers and returns to the saddle.'

He added: 'There exists a strong suspicion among many Nigerians that a cabal of ministers and top government officials are benefiting from the absence of Yar'Adua as his policy of due process, prudence and fiscal responsibility is without a pilot.'

• Nigeria

David Smith

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"

Iranian opposition leader survives car shooting

Iranian opposition leader survives car shooting: "

Pro-government demonstrators attack vehicle carrying former presidential candidate

Pro-government demonstrators opened fire on the car of an Iranian opposition leader, shattering its windows, his website reported today.

Sahamnews said the shooting happened yesterday as former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi was leaving a building in Qazvin, 90 miles west of Tehran.

The report added that some 500 people had been demonstrating outside the building, where he had been staying since the day before. The website described the demonstrators as armed and said police were unable to disperse them.

The shooting represents a rare armed attack on an opposition figure. In 1999, pro-reform politician Saeed Hajjarian was shot in the face, paralysing him.

The attack is an indication of the political turmoil rocking the country and possibly slipping out of control of the government.

Karroubi's car was attacked by a mob wielding bricks in late December, just days after a harsh crackdown on opposition protests.

At least eight people died in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters last month in the worst bloodshed since the unrest after the disputed June re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Since then death threats against opposition leaders have been on the rise. In a pro-government demonstration in late December, protesters called for Karroubi's execution and that of fellow opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

On Friday, senior cleric Kazem Sedighi, leading Friday prayers in the capital, appeared to give a green light for people to take matters into their own hands against opposition figures if the authorities did not act.

'I am concerned that people will lose patience if the legal apparatus does not conduct its affairs in a timely manner,' he said, while saying that acts of extremism would be against the wishes of the supreme leader.

Sedighi also claimed that some of the 500 protesters arrested around the Shia holy day of Ashoura on 27 December were intoxicated.

Opposition members have poured into the streets several times since the June election to protest against the results. The opposition says more than 80 protesters have been killed in the crackdown, but the government puts the number at fewer than 40.

• Iran
• Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• Mir Hossein Mousavi

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"

News Alert! Massive Military Activity in Washington DC Preparing for War and US Total Collapse!

News Alert! Massive Military Activity in Washington DC Preparing for War and US Total Collapse!: "

Revolution in America?

We have got several reports from eye witnesses living in Washington DC about a massive military activity in Washington DC preparing for war.

Major Thomas of Washington DC reported to us:

“In Washington today we woke up to news that the US is thinking of a draft, getting ready for massive attacks on the US homeland, and a economic collapse looming. Military forces are been placed on alert and on news cycles they show targets like Iran, Syria, Yemen, North Korea, and Venezuela. Having the debt a national security issue in the grave category. The officials in Washington state that this will now start to hit the rest of the globe now.”

Kathy Sugino reported to us:

“US military forces movement on land, air, and sea is on alert status and the Homeland Security has hinted to massive attacks across the homeland expected at anytime. Also, the Treasury Department officials with the Federal Reserve and The White House are placing forces on alert abroad and now have target lists activated, reported in Washington today. Several economist and financial investors inform The White House today that a double dip recession is now happening and that the debt is a national security issue which could lead to collapse of large portions of the banking and financial system. Unemployment is creeping back up pass 10% more to 18%. Israel is now ready to hit several targets in Iran, Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen, and parts of Lebanon was reported today in Jerusalem.”

Tim Franks of Washington DC reported to us:

“Many of us here in the USA, especially near the Washington DC area are receiving news accounts, seeing with our own eyes, and know several military and intel. People whom are reporting that the US is now ready for something horrific to hit the US homeland or within the US homeland. Second, the US economy experts today just reported another financial/banking/economic/housing/commercial real estate/ meltdown, former fed chairman Alan Greenspan just reported that a global meltdown is now started. Close to 75% of US business believe the US is now just started a double dip recession and today the Commerce and Labor department along with several firms in New York reported that it is conformed the US is officially in a double dip recession. The odd and sad situations that is happening in the US is the adult porn film industry has just been given official status and now considered a major employer due to close a million women ages 20 to 60 getting employed to make films from average worker, student, to executives at companies for extra income due to poor economy. Most women reported are married and have children. The Wall Street Journal sources are reporting a total collapse in America——JUST IN–Israeli forces on full alert to strike targets in Syria, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. North Korea reports it will test powerful weapon at anytime. US forces on full alert bracing for massive waves of attacks on US homeland that will have mass loss of life–economic collapse feared–reported today in Washington.”

Julie Lee reported:

“Pres. Obama has informed and ordered his intelligence and military chiefs to activate plans of possible military draft and placed all forces to defend the homeland for possible massive attack that will cause mass loss of life…..Chairman of the Joints of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has reported in the Washington Times day before Christmas that the US military is now gravely “tired” and “hollow”. The plans for conscription has been making its way in the Pentagon annd now is approved by Pres. Obama. Pres. Obama and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton has ordered the US intelligence and military communities to take the gloves off concerning China from growing solid evidence of what China is doing to the US and the West. Pres. Obama has stated that China is also using Muslim nations as ponds and fronts for their agenda. China’s military has grown 300% and is a major military force even stronger than Russia by a 100 fold–reported by joint military study at the Pentagon. US officials are bracing for a mass attack on the US homeland in waves across the nation in a destructive manner. Military officials have also placed all US forces on alert globally—the target list for strikes are Iran, Syria, parts of Lebanon, North Korea, Venezuela, Pakistan , Yemen and the list has several other targets that are blacked out. US officials have shared grave concerns of a economic collapse in the US and a grave meltdown globally. The meltdown in the banking/financial/housing/commercial real estate/and unemployment spiking up to dangerous double digits after seasonal employment ends factored in—military forces are also ready to “secure” social collapse if necessary. Due to poor economic conditions women ages of 20 to 65 have been receiving employment discreetly in the US adult porn film industry and other adult film industries abroad as well, close to a million women reported,to make film for extra income. Since the summer of 2008—the federal government has been meeting and worked out relaxed rules and laws for the industry in all 50 states and now it is an accepted and considered a major employer to the government. Most women are in the work force from low income to company executives, school teachers, doctors, stock companies, lawyers,police officers, government and political employees,etc. All across the board. One Labor official has said that home made or company made adult film is like working at any fast food or computer company in the US—it is just accepted as means of income–most women employed since the summer are married and have children. A shocking study will be published and sent to the public in weeks.JUST IN—US banks are quietly mtg with fed and discussing more bail outs—former fed chairmen Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan has just announced that the US is now in double dip recession towards depression and global meltdown is started—-Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal. Pres. Obama approval rating hits 40% and both Republican and Democratic parties score at 25%. Tea Party and conservative label score at 80%. The US government and any government entity in the US has the lowest confidence level rated from the American public since the 1860’s and in modern times in the 1930’s—reported by Gallop and Rasmussen. URGENT—Israel reports that US and West will be attacked along with Israel ==with bio, chemical, germ, and nuclear weapons–EMP also used with terror operatives as the delivery system–hand held including suicide operatives to conventional means. Israeli forces on full alert and ready to strike—reported today in Washington.”

In conclusion, it seems that the reports about Obama preparing 1 million troops for Civil War were true and are happening right now! Time is running out, choose your side now!

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Related posts:

1. America’s Military Machine Gearing Up for Total WAR


2. Obama Pledges $73 Million to his black people in Zimbabwe while the US Economy is on the verge of Total Collapse


3. Bush wants War so Iran is Preparing for War

"

Norwegian newspaper reprints controversial Islam cartoons

Norwegian newspaper reprints controversial Islam cartoons: "Oslo, Jan 8 (DPA) The Norwegian daily newspaper Aftenposten Friday reprinted cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed that generated controversy 2005 when they were first published in a Danish newspaper.
“We have always defended media’s right to print these cartoons, and we printed a facsimile when the dispute began 2005,” Aftenposten editor-in-chief Hilde Haugsgjerd wrote.
The reprinting of [...]"

Cuba claims jailed US contractor is secret agent

Cuba claims jailed US contractor is secret agent: "

Computer specialist's imprisonment marks latest setback in attempt to thaw relations between US and Cuba

Cuba has accused a US contractor it jailed last month of being a secret service agent, in the latest spat to sour Havana's brief honeymoon with the Obama administration.

The man, who works for a Washington-based contractor for the United States Agency for International Development, was detained on 5 December at Havana airport after distributing satellite equipment and making internet connections.

'This is a man hired by a company that contracts for the American secret services and that is the object of investigation,' Ricardo Alarcon, the head of Cuba's parliament, told reporters.

The American, a 40-year-old computer specialist who has not been publicly named by Washington or Havana, was part of the US's 'privatisation of war', Alarcon added.

The US state department said the man was part of a US government effort to promote democracy on the communist island. 'These programmes are designed to promote increased respect for fundamental freedoms in Cuba,' said a spokeswoman.

The contractor, who worked for a Maryland-based company called Development Alternatives Inc, reportedly travelled on a tourist visa. A spokesman for the company described it as an economic and social development firm which has previously done work for the UK department for international development, the World Bank and the United Nations.

US consular officials, who gained access to the prisoner on 28 December, did not reveal details about the case. The man has not been charged and his fate is uncertain but Alarcon said he was in good condition. 'I can assure you that he is much better - much, much better - than the victims of those contractors all over the world,' he said, an apparent reference to abuses by US contractors in Iraq and elsewhere.

President Raúl Castro told the national assembly on 21 December that the contractor's mission showed that after half a century of plots the US still wanted to subvert the island's revolution. 'The enemy is as active as ever.'

The arrival of Barack Obama initially thawed relations. The US president spoke of a 'new era' and loosened trade and travel restrictions. Fidel Castro heaped praise on the new US leader in newspaper columns. Cultural exchanges blossomed. But goodwill evaporated and talks on migration and postal services were suspended.

Havana accused the US of backing a coup in Honduras and persecuting five Cuban agents jailed for gathering information about Cuban exile groups in Florida. Cuban air passengers also face tighter security checks when travelling to the US, after the Obama administration included Cuba on its list of 'countries of interest' following the failed Christmas Day airliner bombing.

The Castros made sharp attacks on Obama and cracked down on dissent, prompting rebukes from Washington.

'Cuba in recent months seems to [be] determined to ratchet up the tension with the US, whether by roughing up the blogger Yoani Sánchez or staging military exercises to defend against a supposed US invasion,' said Dan Erikson, author of The Cuba Wars and an analyst at the Inter-American Dialogue thinktank.

'The result is that the US-Cuba deadlock continues unabated, and the rhetorical gestures on both sides calling for improved relations have done little to budge this lingering cold war standoff.'

• Cuba
• United States
• US foreign policy
• US national security
• Obama administration

Rory Carroll

Daniel Nasaw

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"

IWDM COMMENTS - Lessons from 1981 Siraj Wahhaj Resignation

Back in the year 1981 there was a difference of opinion between Imam W. Deen Mohammed and Imam Siraj Wahaj.

In this speech, IWDM with Siraj Wahaj listening, addresses this situation and lots of insights and lessons for us to learn from.

---

Dear beloved Muslims As - Salaam - Alaikum.

Dear Beloved Muslims what I have just said is "'Praise be to  Allah  The Guardian Evolver, Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, we seek His aid we seek His assistance, we ask forgiveness from Him, we believe in Him and we bear witness that nothing is worthy of worship except Him alone. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.

I am happy to be with you this Sunday here in Brooklyn in the month of Ramadan. The occasion does not take any of that happiness away, Allah the Most High says in the Qur’an call on Him with fear and with humility.

Surely indeed the mercy of Allah is near to the believers who do good.

Dear beloved Muslims the right faith in our hearts is salvation for us.  Prophet Muhammad peace and the blessings be on him, he once said, there is a piece or lump of flesh that when it is good, the whole body is good, or the whole person is good, and when it is bad the whole person is bad, and when he was asked to name that lump of flesh, he said it is the human heart.  It is the heart, when it is good the whole person is good, when it is bad the whole person is bad. 

Now we are not the All Knowing, we can't judge each other, we can only identify in the light of God what we see as right and what we see as wrong, but to judge the person is for Allah alone.

 Imam Siraj’s resignation                    

I think Imam Siraj is to be commended for the human Muslim decent way in which he resigned. And when I heard of his difficulty and his intentions of resigning before seeing him or knowing he was coming to see me, I had already accepted his resignation in the spirit of 'friendship and brotherly love.

Muslims are not obligated to follow anything in this Religion against their conscience; we are all free to follow this Religion as our conscience bid us.  And when our conscience presents difficulties for us or something presents difficulty for us in our conscience then we are not obligated to continue with that thing.

   WDM leadership

  
My own leadership in this part of this world, is I'm sure, a trial for me and for you, and I am not about to insist that all Muslims follow me to the letter; for me to be in a position for me to accept them as Muslims. I accept Muslims everywhere I go.

They all are Muslims, as long as they behave like Muslims, as they show the spirit of Muslims, as long as they greet their brothers and sisters, then with me they are Muslims.  I am not ever going to be the one to divide Muslims. However in this particular situation there is a strain on the community, especially the local community here because of difference in understanding, and that difference in understanding involves the leadership and an Imam who represents that leadership for this Masjid.

The right thing to do in such case is what Imam Siraj has done; this is the honorable and peaceful way to solve such problems. I told him in privacy and I'll tell you right here before him, what he has done, that is his decision,  his, decision to leave my leadership and this community is no cause for me to treat him any different than I would treat the many, many millions and millions of Muslims out there who feel the same way.

I meet them every day, they are my friends, Pakistanis, Sudanese,  whatever, many, many nationalities, I meet all  the time, and  they don't have the understanding that I have.   If they do they don’t say so. Most of them, they are against it most of them, and they are my brothers.

The important thing is to obey the spirit and the letter of the Qur’an, that's the important thing we are entitled to our opinions as long is those opinions don’t violate the spirit and letter of the Quran. Now, when the matter becomes so technical that it takes the finest tools to deal with it then we should  just say "As-Salaam-, Alaikum , Wa Alaikum As Salaam", forget it brother see you later".

And I believe what I've been discussing with you that most of the Muslims have a difference with, is knowledge in the Religion that it takes a very,  very sharp tool to deal with.

 Jesus Had No Father:    

Q.3.47; Jesus Immaculate conception

She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?"  He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be' and it is!

Luke 1.26-35; Immaculate conception 

The Imam (Siraj)  and I guess many others are of the opinion that I am saying that Joseph is the Father of Jesus Christ. That is not correct. I've never said Joseph is the father of Jesus Christ,  no Jesus Christ had no father. Allah created Him and still everything I said before is right; but that's our difference; that's our difference.

Dear beloved Muslims I didn’t come to entertain you here today, I came to let you know that I have no problem with any believer differing with me on commentary or interpretations of Scripture as long as your difference is accepted by the majority of the Muslims, because those are traditional teachings, and we accept Muslims and really Allah wants us to believe that He has power over everything.

And we know that children are not to see adults when they are not in their proper dress, is that right? So maybe some children have seen the adults not in their proper dress I don't know, but an adult has to know how to take off  his clothes and put them back on right? And he has to get naked sometimes doesn't he?

 Right, so if someone sees him in his privacy and gets disturbed its a problem right? 'What I want to see this community do is stay on the right path of this religion, accept the Quran as the perfect guidance for all people in all times, accept Prophet Muhammad to whom it was revealed as the Messenger and the example for people for all times to love each other, to support each other in righteousness and hold back support for each other when wrong doing is involved.

SAINTS
This is what I want to see in this community; sincerity on the part of the believers and a determination to please Almighty  God, whose proper name is Allah, and have a determination to live a full and complete life as Allah intended for us to live. We are not to become saints; the world  doesn’t  need saints, the world needs good human beings, while saints came to take on a character and personality that separates them from normal human beings.

When I speak of saints, I don't mean a good person. I want to be as good as I possibly can. When I speak of saints, I mean the attitude of mind that makes a saintly person stop being a common ordinary human being. I know there is a tendency in us to give ourselves to extremism in the religion, just as we give ourselves to extremism in our daily life, many of us can't help but give ourselves to extremism, we can't play normally, we have to play too much.

Most of us can't even live with each other normally; we have to love too much, I'm sure you understand. Most of us can't be righteous normally, we have to be righteous too inhumanly, too angel like. I don't want that, I know that in us; there is a tendency to be abnormal, to go to extremes, and I know that. This has been one of the main weaknesses in this people and the race, so I don't want to see that.

Before I became your Imam, I was for years associating with people that you call orthodox Muslims and accepting them as my brothers,  and not only accepting them as my brothers but also identifying in their beliefs. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad himself taught me to accept them as my brothers because he did it. He invited them to his home, he had dinner with them, he treated them, he said As -  Salaam - Alaikum;  he treated some of them better than he treated us. I know a Pakistani that he did more for than he did any of his children.

I just don't like to see people mistreated and I don't like to see people venting their hostilities on people out of justice; that's what I don't like.  I don't like to see people sneaking around and doing things behind the curtain or something, that’s what I don't like, you know.  But if you stand out in the open and you are sincere, I love a person like that,  I respect a person like that, and that's the way I was raised; that's the way I am;

Now I  know some of the devils around here; I hope they are outside today. I know they are disappointed, they are greatly disappointed; they thought we were going to come in here and curse each other out and tear up the place. We have work to do and all of us are qualified to do something. All of us should be free to do what we have to do and what we are qualified to do; yes all of us should be free to contribute the best of what we have to contribute. But, any of us who oppress another believer we are guilty of being a tyrant, guilty of being a wrong person; don't oppress the good in anybody; encourage the good in the people; oppress the bad if anything, don't ever oppress the good. 

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad has a son Akbar, my youngest brother, you know the Honorable Elijah Muhammad treated Akbar better than he treated me? And Akbar left him ten years before I did; Yes this is a fact, if you don't believe it go and check in Chicago any of the family they will tell you yes he left long time ago. But me, he was constantly on me; every time they would report something then he would get on me.

 Akbar would come in there and challenge him right at the table, and say Daddy how can you say so and so and such and such when the..." He would try to explain to Akbar and they would talk and Akbar would get up from the table and say "Daddy can you give me a couple of thousand dollars I need to pay some bills, and Daddy would go and open up his vault and give Akbar a couple of thousand dollars.

Now I wonder how come he wouldn’t give me fifty? We have a lot to learn don't we, we have a lot to learn.  People are not all the same and believe me some people justify means by ends, and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was such a man, he justified means by ends, I don't believe in that. I believe that means and ends must be upright, that's the kind of man that I am; that's why I differed with the mystic, because I don't believe that ends justify means. And believe me I know the story of the wise man too, and I still don't believe ends justify means." Pardon me, that I can do a wrong for a good purpose and it’s accepted. No, I don’t like that, I can’t accept that, I don’t see that in the Qur’an. No you have to be straight all the way, straight all the way.

The things I'm telling you, believe me. Anything I'm telling you that seems to be difficult, because it’s different, believe me as I see it. It’s in accord with the Qur’an. I wouldn’t give you anything that I didn’t see was in accord with the Qur’an.

Now I don't claim to know it all; but I know one thing, this world has not been fair with the common person; those who have had the knowledge they have hoarded it just like these people have hoarded money to get a material advantage. They have hoarded knowledge of the religion to get a religious advantage, and I don’t like that. 

Now my argument with them is that - "you, are cheaters”,  they can like it or not. They know it. I tell them in Saudi Arabia. I was in Saudi Arabia, I sat with the highest Imam in Jeddah, ok. I have addressed the highest people over there; I don't hide anything. What I say to you, I say it there, Alright. And on things they might not agree with me,  but they still respect me for it just like brother Imam respects me for being honest, for being honest and that's the only way that I can be.

We are not to hoard knowledge from the people, in fact the Quran says of Prophet Muhammad  and this is Allah putting it in his mouth to say this, I have not withheld anything from you because of desire to do so.  The believer is to have the desire to give everything to the people, everything, so if there is anything you it is something that you think might hurt the people or not be proper or something like that.   Isn't Prophet Muhammad the example of how the Muslims should live their lives. And if it is said of Prophet Muhammad in the Quran that he has not withheld anything out of a desire to hold something back from the people, shouldn’t that suggest to the intelligent man’s mind that, that was a problem.

If it wasn’t a problem, why is it dealt with in the Quran? The Quran is too big a book for foolishness or for things that are not important. So it is very important. All through the Qur’an wrongdoers are charged with what, do you know what “Barkil” means? Cheating the people, cheating, giving them inferior knowledge, and holding back the superior knowledge. 

This is my case. I want you to understand brother Imam, I'm speaking mainly for the Imam here, but for you all too. This is my problem, I'm angry with the cheaters. If they have got nothing to hold back they'll stop cheating. So, I'm not going to hold anything back. I'm going to give it all. They won't have anything to hide; then they stop cheating, they will start being fair with the people; we will get rid of those cheaters.

What the person is not supposed to be given is something that will contribute to his weaknesses and his wrong doing. That’s what he's not supposed to be given. There are some things of the religion, that maybe, if I discuss it too plainly with some immature minded people, it might cause unnecessary burdens on them and cause them to behave in a bad way. But there is a time for everything isn’t it?