One of the left's standards is to denounce the "gun culture," the gun dealers and the gun runners and the gun smugglers who put weapons in the hands of people who just can't wait to use them to kill and wound people indiscriminately.
Oddly enough, two such incidents have occurred recently, and the standard denunciations and howls for new laws and draconian penalties has been sorely lacking.
In the Mediterranean, Israel seized a freighter that was heading to the Gaza Strip, after stops in Syria and Turkey. On board they found a plethora of heavy-duty ordinance, including Chinese-made C-704 anti-ship missiles (with instructions written in Farsi, the language spoken in Iran).
The details are a bit fuzzy -- most certainly deliberately so. The Victoria is registered out of Liberia, like so many ships do to avoid taxes and regulations. It is owned by a German company, who in turn had turned over management to a French company. And she left the Syrian port shortly after two Iranian warships had paid a visit.
Here's one scenario: Iran loads up the weapons on their warships, then sends them through the Suez Canal to deliver them to the Syrian port (to protect them from Israel intervening -- the Israelis would have few qualms about boarding a freighter, or striking against a land shipment, but wouldn't be so willing to openly take on Iranian warships). The weapons are transferred to the Victoria, which Iran had hired through several cutouts to conceal their participation). Israel finds out about it anyway, boards the Victoria, and finds Iran's latest little gift to Hamas (the terrorist group that is also the legally-elected government of the Gaza Strip) intended to kill Jews.
Well, that won't happen now. But don't expect any major consequences for Iran or Hamas. Killing Jews? Not that big a deal.
On a more domestic front, for some time we've been told for some time now that the Mexican drug cartels have been getting a lot of weapons from the US. There is a very hefty flow of weapons across the border to the south (maybe we're trading guns for illegal aliens or drugs or something), and it's our fault that Mexico is in an undeclared civil war right now -- in addition to our demand for illegal drugs, of course.
Well, now we know why the Obama administration is so convinced that gun-running into Mexico from the US is so prevalent and dangerous -- because they've been doing it.
OK, that might be an exaggeration, but just barely. The ATF (an agency that has NEVER been known to go "off the reservation" and "go rogue" and screw things up in ways that get a lot of people killed) was engaging in a "sting" where they allowed guns to be sent into Mexico -- deliberately passing up on opportunities to confiscate the weapons and arrest the smugglers in order to manage to put together the "big picture" and maybe catch some higher-ups in the Mexican cartels.
That those guns might (and were) used in the killings of innocent Mexicans wasn't much of a concern, nor was the thought that there is already plenty of evidence and charges against the cartels.
But the important thing here is, it made certain that the Obama administration was being accurate when it talked about how guns from the US were flowing to the cartels -- it just omitted the tiny little detail that it was the US government policy to assist in it.
No wonder the Mexican government is a bit miffed at the US of late.
Oddly enough, two such incidents have occurred recently, and the standard denunciations and howls for new laws and draconian penalties has been sorely lacking.
In the Mediterranean, Israel seized a freighter that was heading to the Gaza Strip, after stops in Syria and Turkey. On board they found a plethora of heavy-duty ordinance, including Chinese-made C-704 anti-ship missiles (with instructions written in Farsi, the language spoken in Iran).
The details are a bit fuzzy -- most certainly deliberately so. The Victoria is registered out of Liberia, like so many ships do to avoid taxes and regulations. It is owned by a German company, who in turn had turned over management to a French company. And she left the Syrian port shortly after two Iranian warships had paid a visit.
Here's one scenario: Iran loads up the weapons on their warships, then sends them through the Suez Canal to deliver them to the Syrian port (to protect them from Israel intervening -- the Israelis would have few qualms about boarding a freighter, or striking against a land shipment, but wouldn't be so willing to openly take on Iranian warships). The weapons are transferred to the Victoria, which Iran had hired through several cutouts to conceal their participation). Israel finds out about it anyway, boards the Victoria, and finds Iran's latest little gift to Hamas (the terrorist group that is also the legally-elected government of the Gaza Strip) intended to kill Jews.
Well, that won't happen now. But don't expect any major consequences for Iran or Hamas. Killing Jews? Not that big a deal.
On a more domestic front, for some time we've been told for some time now that the Mexican drug cartels have been getting a lot of weapons from the US. There is a very hefty flow of weapons across the border to the south (maybe we're trading guns for illegal aliens or drugs or something), and it's our fault that Mexico is in an undeclared civil war right now -- in addition to our demand for illegal drugs, of course.
Well, now we know why the Obama administration is so convinced that gun-running into Mexico from the US is so prevalent and dangerous -- because they've been doing it.
OK, that might be an exaggeration, but just barely. The ATF (an agency that has NEVER been known to go "off the reservation" and "go rogue" and screw things up in ways that get a lot of people killed) was engaging in a "sting" where they allowed guns to be sent into Mexico -- deliberately passing up on opportunities to confiscate the weapons and arrest the smugglers in order to manage to put together the "big picture" and maybe catch some higher-ups in the Mexican cartels.
That those guns might (and were) used in the killings of innocent Mexicans wasn't much of a concern, nor was the thought that there is already plenty of evidence and charges against the cartels.
But the important thing here is, it made certain that the Obama administration was being accurate when it talked about how guns from the US were flowing to the cartels -- it just omitted the tiny little detail that it was the US government policy to assist in it.
No wonder the Mexican government is a bit miffed at the US of late.
Comments (11)
Jay Tea,Welcome to... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Oldpuppymax | March 27, 2011 10:39 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Jay Tea,
Welcome to the Project Gunrunner, aka "Gunwalker" party. The ATF has been deliberately instructing gun stores--mainly in border states, but also throughout the nation-- to sell guns to KNOWN straw purchasers for Mexican drug cartels. Several thousand have "walked" across the border, literally with the assistance of the ATF!!Two of those weapons were found at the murder scene of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry last December. I've posted pieces about this disgrace on the Coach is Right site. By all means, go to the Sipsey Street Irregulars for the entire story and the latest developments. Senator Grassley is investigating with the help of ATF whistle blowers. What did Hussein know, when and did he or Holder OK this travesty?? Expect a full blown media cover-up as usual, although, remarkably enough, CBS has done some quality reporting.
1. Posted by Oldpuppymax | March 27, 2011 10:39 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 10:39
2. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 10:41 AM | Score: -11 (13 votes cast)
On board they found a plethora of heavy-duty ordinance, including Chinese-made C-704 anti-ship missiles . . . . Here's one scenario: Iran loads up the weapons . . .
You left out the part about how the Chinese fund the missiles they give to Iran with interest payments from the USA on bonds issued to pay for US aid to Israel and the from their great balance of trade and currency advantage caused by export of manufacturing to our Chinese "friends."
So it's a complete circle jerk.
2. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 10:41 AM |
Score: -11 (13 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 10:41
3. Posted by 149 | March 27, 2011 10:55 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
If word of this gets out.. Barry will have to play a few rounds of golf to make it go away..
3. Posted by 149 | March 27, 2011 10:55 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 10:55
4. Posted by Gmac | March 27, 2011 11:00 AM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
"You left out the part about how the Chinese fund the missiles they give to Iran..." 2. Posted by Chico
You really think the Chinese 'give' the Iranians weapons?
You overestimate your ability to think beyond the level of a 5th grader.
As for the Project Gunrunner that has the blessings of the BATF. It's now one of those 'What did he know and when did he know it?' questions and if it was just Holder or did the (P)resident sign off on it...
With two agents directly involved in the program stepping forward when is Director Melman going to roll on DOJ. This is an issue that has the potential to cripple this regime.
4. Posted by Gmac | March 27, 2011 11:00 AM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 11:00
5. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 11:14 AM | Score: -11 (13 votes cast)
You really think the Chinese 'give' the Iranians weapons?
You overestimate your ability to think beyond the level of a 5th grader.
Maybe you're right, maybe the Chinese never give weapons away to further their foreign policy objectives. After all, the US never does that, do we?
It's probably that the Chinese get paid in oil or gas for their rockets. Which is why we're never going to bomb Iran, btw.
5. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 11:14 AM |
Score: -11 (13 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 11:14
6. Posted by Stan | March 27, 2011 11:37 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
One problem here, BATFe is a department of the Treasury Department. They are the ones that issue the FFL licenses to make sure the gun dealers are legit. Now if the BATF is running firearms over the border, it should be the Treasury Department's ass on the line. Now if there is collusion between the DOJ and Treasury concerning this case, Obama has to be involved in this up to his jug ears. Hell I would not even be surprised to learn that he ordered the op.
6. Posted by Stan | March 27, 2011 11:37 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 11:37
7. Posted by irongrampa | March 27, 2011 11:55 AM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
I doubt the Chinese are being "paid in Iranian oil". The Irani product, is not classed as light sweet crude. It requires a much more difficult procedure to refine. Iran has so little capacity to do this that they import the bulk of their gasoline.
I actually agree that we will never bomb Iran---not with this flapjack in office. More likely we'll be rebuffed in our next attempt to "negotiate without conditions".
7. Posted by irongrampa | March 27, 2011 11:55 AM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 11:55
8. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 12:05 PM | Score: -6 (8 votes cast)
I doubt the Chinese are being "paid in Iranian oil". The Irani product, is not classed as light sweet crude. It requires a much more difficult procedure to refine. Iran has so little capacity to do this that they import the bulk of their gasoline.
On par with the geopolitical ignorance found on Wizbang - - - -
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-10/31/content_387140.htm
China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), the country's largest oil and gas producer, has clinched a deal to develop phase 11 of Iran's South Pars gas project, and beef up its oil and gas operations in the country that holds one of the world's top oil and gas reserves, an industry official told media.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-02/11/content_9461870.htm
8. Posted by Chico | March 27, 2011 12:05 PM |
Score: -6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 12:05
9. Posted by 914 | March 27, 2011 12:06 PM | Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
"You really think the Chinese 'give' the Iranians weapons?"
It doesn't think. It reasons with emotion and low intellect.
9. Posted by 914 | March 27, 2011 12:06 PM |
Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 12:06
10. Posted by GarandFan | March 27, 2011 1:42 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
"...for some time we've been told for some time now that the Mexican drug cartels have been getting a lot of weapons from the US...."
Yeah, we've been "told". But NO ONE has ever admitted that the 'flood of weapons' going south was a number made up out of thin air.
The cartels are not interested in semi-auto weapons. Contrary to popular liberal belief, you can't buy full auto rifles, hand grenades or rocket launchers in US sporting goods store.
10. Posted by GarandFan | March 27, 2011 1:42 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 13:42
11. Posted by irongrampa | March 27, 2011 2:24 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I seldom revisit postings, but this time it just HAS to be.
Chico, did you even read the links you posted? Please inform the readers where natural gas morphed into oil. BOTH columns dealt with LNG, to be developed over a 30 year period. The oil amounts to a placatory "feelgood".
11. Posted by irongrampa | March 27, 2011 2:24 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on March 27, 2011 14:24