Iraqi 'terror ships' at sea By Patrick McGowan, Evening Standard 19 February 2003 Three huge cargo ships feared to be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction are being tracked around the world by British and American intelligence. The vessels, which have been at sea for three months, are believed to be carrying weapons smuggled out through Syria or Jordan. They are all refusing frequent requests to provide details of their cargo or destination and officials are worried that the vessels are maintaining radio silence in clear contravention of maritime law, which states all ships should be in constant communication. The rest of the story

I can hear it now This article is just an attempt to cover Blair's ass. Right?

i would have thought that the SEALS or the SAS would be able to takeover control of one (or indeed all three) ship(s) with minimal chance of the crew being able to scuttle it (them). Isnt that the idea that is always implied to the world? Oh, wait.... was that propaganda? And Really, if they wanted to stop these boats, they would do it and damn the consequences. the fact that this story is in the news means one of two things (to me) either it is a smoke screen for some operation already running, or it is a forerunner to the big story, of the ships being overrun, which may have already happened. Oh Orwell, what would you think of these days we live in????

we've heard this kind of shit before trace and it added up to be nothing, so this story, at this time, is meaningless. you believe whatever supports your limited view. note the use of "believed" and "suspected" cargo. Until the ships are stopped, searched and verified, this story is about as pointless as Colin Powell's specualtion about those trucks at a weapons site that. this story is no reason for war, warmonger

and why are you still going on about Blair and the dossier? no one is talking about that but you. non-issue its like you are having a conversation with..... whom? or just regurgitating comebacks to arguments no one here is having.

"you believe whatever supports your limited view." And you refuse to believe whatever supports your limited view.

for someone so hell bent on evidence, trace is sure quick to drop his usual standards when presented with specualtion eri. if those boats were stopped, inspected and it was revealed they contained WMDs we'd have an intelligent conversation. Until then its speculation. You yourself has a habit of reserving judgment until you see evidence. There is no proof those boats have what they are speculating they have. Non issue.

The real issue is what BigKev raised, couldn't we use Allied special forces to nab these ships? I would think that such forces could be deployed from submarines. IF they really think these ships contain WMD, the adminsitration must be salivating at the prospect of exposing them. That would be the evidence they need, and would be indisputable.

we've been stopping and inspecting ships for contraband for 12 years in the region. Why are these three any different?

Because they are one of the following: A. full of nasty chemicals B. full of Olsen twins paraphrenilia C. ghost ships D. a ploy to scare up fear and paranoia E. carrying Anna Nicole Smith's lunch.

F. made entirely of goat cheese

mmmmmmmm B. Option B all the way.

They better not have my pants.

Saddam has your pants. Thats the REAL reason we are going in. (George has a secret crush on you)

hot pants? cause thats what im thinking. a boatload of pink and purple Olsen twin hot pants. its a part of Larry Flynt's Hot Pants for Oil program

so predictable.

you just wish you thought of the Hot Pants For Oil program chump.

yup

G. holding auditions for "Arabian Idol" CBS News actually put a lot into perspective for me tonight, saying specifically: Iraqis have always been masters of hiding everything, and US intelligence provided to UN inspectors is quote "garbage, garbage and more garbage. Either out of date, circumstantial, or just plain wrong" So unless the former actually has something and makes a mistake or the latter gets its act together, the inspections need more time to work.

I guess its not a secret anymore Sem : ) You couldnt _pay_ me enough to do your leader. Although a lifetime supply of reeses peanut butter cups is very tempting. ugh no can't do it

What if I sweeten the deal and name a missle system after you, honeybunches?

trace, why don't we board the ships and inspect them? Give us some facts, man!

or rather some low level civilian employee water cooler speculation

this type of situation has been rumored last month, except it was 15 Al Qaeda ships, but noone made too much a stink about it. The Al Qaeda rumor is apparently more credible, but I haven't seen any follow up on that story, so... you never know, some of these new "terror ships", if they exist, could actually be the previously rumored Al Qaeda ships. If they turn up and someone tries to use it as evidence: its yet another thing to question: "Are they Iraqis or Al Qaeda? Prove it." http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A56442-2002Dec30&notFound=true

...while we're on the topic of wild, inprobable, yet interesting rumors... http://www.rense.com/general35/bal.htm note the term "Exclusive story". I love looking at conspiracy theory sites, but I hate how despite having a "question everything" attitude, they tend to believe everything, no matter how farfetched, so long as its on 'their' site.

when something's in 16pt font, you KNOW it's true! anyway, shouldn't you people all be out buying duct tape? i know i said that on another thread but WTF. Are they serious? Did any of you buy duct tape? Has anyone? Will anyone? I can't get over that shit. Duct tape! that'll save your ass! Duct tape of freedom. Soon they're going to start printing it with stars and stripes i bet. oh my god, duct tape. Your grandchildren are never going to believe that one. Fucking hell.

What's worse was when I first saw that and didn't know what the hell it was.

"trace, why don't we board the ships and inspect them? Give us some facts, man!" "or rather some low level civilian employee water cooler speculation" or "...while we're on the topic of wild, inprobable, yet interesting rumors... " Take your pick. The facts are concrete. There are 3 of them. They have refused to identify themselves and have been tracked since they left Egypt. I have seen no official traffic as to specifically why they have not been intercepted. There are standing orders not to engage, but rather to watch. I tend to agree with the view that it is because of the fact that if they are what we beleive they are, they crew may indeed scuttle the ship. I just cant understand one thing

...just one thing? And what would that be?

facts. 3 of them last left an Egyptian port not answering the damn phone Warm the jets. TERRORISTS!!!! eri you didnt know what duct tape was? and you gave me shit for not knowing some TV baby character? sheeesh.

I said it was funny. I expect to get shit about not knowing what duct tape looked like. I wasn't trying to give you shit about the Daria thing. I was excited that I actually knew something like that for a change. Most of the time when people here talk music or television I am lost.

Same Eri, but that might be cause I'm on the other side of the world. Well for now anyway. If Trace gets his way I'll be toast crumbs just like the rest of you.

i dont udnerstand why everyone thinks my way is war.

is that the one thing you don't understand? you might be able to figure that one out.

because you do not listen to me

yes, it must be someone else's fault. note: i never said i thought trace's way was war. so i know you're not talking to me.

I'm thinking he's aiming that at me. Trace, you post all these war messages/news stories/scary tales/whatever and then say that you don't get why I (and whoever else) thinks that you want to go to war? I am starting to not watch the news because I am so sick of the bullshit and the threats and it scares me. It fucking scares me that I may never get to meet the people that I really like on these boards, that I won't get to New York for my 30th birthday, that I'll never again have the peanutychocolaty goodness that is reeses peanut butter cups. Aren't you? So when I come here to talk shit, the last thing I wanna see is war. And yet, thats all you can seem to talk about. I'm thinking this post probably didnt make much sense - the Pandyr just about killed me on a HUGE walk up and down tracks, and I hurt now, my brain isn't recieving enough oxygen, and I may not be coherent.

no, my goal is removal of saddam from leadership of Iraq. He will choose how he leaves. I would prefer he put a cap in his skull. Or maybe lock himself in a sauna with those chemicals he says he does not have but says he will unleash on the US... Or we can go in and blow up a couple of his palaces that were built with money sent to Iraq to feed and medically treat the civilian population.

Not to mention the collateral damage on a nation where half of the population is under 15 years old. But I suppose our adminstration would simply say, "Nits make Lice."

neither me nor the admin said that. Interesting that you did, however.

Plus, what a lot of folks are also angry about is that Bush's administration is making no effort to do a "Marshall Plan" - there is no realistic plan to introduce democracy. It's just like what he said to teh firefighters and police after 9/11, and to the people of Afghanistan after we invaded - "he said a lot of stuff about helping out, but whoops, funds are being cut to fire and police departments nationwide, and Bush sort of forgot to include any money for helping Afghanistn rebuild in his joke of a budget ( you know, the budget that doens't include any money for the upcoming war?) Bush is well on track to become one of the biggest American embarrassments since, well, Hoover (of course, Hoover didn't have as large a percentage drop in the stock market during his tenure...) He IS doing a pretty damn good job of making his dad's presidency seem pretty good in comparison.

'Or we can go in and blow up a couple of his palaces that were built with money sent to Iraq to feed and medically treat the civilian population.' Sounds a bit like war to me. But then what do I know. I come from a peaceful pacific country, who refused to let US Frigates come here. Maybe you can start campaigning aginst us next.

sure you got reeses peanut butter cups moonit, but did you get any reeses pieces?? which are like a cross between peanut butter cups and M&Ms? want some?

Moonit, where are you from?

Are you teasing me wisper?? I do trade for kiwi candy.... ; )

NZ, right?

Thats where you find Kiwi's yes. Why?

just curious

i love fresh kiwi in a fruit salad I bet they taste much better right of a tree in the yard

a. Kiwifruit grow on vines. 2. I don't know anyone who grows them. I buy them at the supermarket just like you do. The gold ones are sweeter and nicer than the green.

ooop i never said I was a fruitologist... We had peach trees when we lived in kansas, and they beat the ones you bought at the store ten times from no where

I am going to have to watch for the gold kiwi now. All I need is kiwi and oranges for a fresh fruit salad spunky likes.

www.zespri.com Not sure if we are exporting the gold to America. Its targeted towards the asian market. How the hell do I know this crap? Honestly, its like my brain picks the strangest things to remember and won't function with usual, everyday things.

isn't the NZ-kiwi thing a reference to the birds?

uh a kiwi is a kind of bird, yes - its unique to New Zealand. A kiwi can also be a kiwifruit, or chinese gooseberry. It's educate an american day today. Any more questions? ;)

Where are my socks?

yes. tell us about your natural resources. (trace get your note pad, thumbtacks and maps ready)

Sem, I hate to tell you but the Washing Machine Monster will have eaten one, never to return, the other is probably right under the middle of your bed, not in arms reach. Socks are bastards for that. Our natural resources... hmmmm, energy (coal and gas), water (Christchurch's water comes right off the alps - comes sparkling out of your kitchen taps), and our forestry. There's also our food resources, lamb, beef, deer, cereals - exported to most of the world. The south island has greenstone too. Anything else?

Peter Jackson.

He rocks. Have you seen Meet the Feebles? By the way, my pants turned up six days after ordering, they fit perfectly, and they cost me $70(NZ). I am happy!

yes. is it true that Kiwi's take butt sex an average of 6.5 times more than their American counterparts when propositioned (Aussies reportedly take anal an average 17 times more than their American counterparts)

I've seen Meet the Feebles.

Thats an interesting question Patrick. I'm not too sure of the answer, however if I do a quick tally up of all the guys I've dated, and how many mentioned wanting to, then you could be right.

Everytime we play mini-golf, the Pandyr has to replay the scene of running with his golf club to the invisible *whatever it was* and smacking it. He's a sick little puppy.

you ever get four seasons in one day?

Like that crowded house song? Yes its possible. Even without plane travel.

Four seasons in one day is always fun.

we got close enough to that here. yesterday almost 80. today, 40.

oooooOOOooooo 40! however will you survive the tundra-like conditions? you may have to put on a long shirt! wanna borrow some mittens? *giggle* moonit: no i am not teasing you. Send forth the kiwi candy with all speed! email me damn you! i need candy NOW!

i dont know cel. to far. conversions so this is in deg.cel. Calgary Alberta. Yesterday -23deg. (daytime high) today +4 (daytime high) No chinook, that Im aware of (thats a warm southern wind that frequents this area) I have lived here for less than 2 years, and have seen snow in every month and (at least) +10 in every month too. Like the locals here say, if you dont like the weather, wait ten minutes. OR 4 months of bad sledding and 8 months of poor sun-tanning

The funny thing is that it got down to 27 last night and you could hear the ice and sleet hitting the windows. There was 1 inch of ice on everything this morning (cars, roads, bridges, etc.). They closed the schools and shut down all of the freeways (the 410 and I-10 and I-35) because of the threat of ice on the bridges. It is snowing in Austin from what I hear. The high today is 38 and it is currently still 27 outside. People are afraid to go out. It's almost funny.

I've had enough snow for this year. Twenty eight inches last week. And, more on the way. I'm ready for spring.

I am in TEXAS and there are icecicles (sp?) hanging from the carports! People are freaking everywhere. This is hillarious. People outside are dressed like they are getting ready to work on some polar caps. It's 30 outside! Better pull out the parkas and scarves and down blankets! I'll admit that it is cold, but this is crazy. It's not THAT cold. People watching in this weather (it is not typical for Texas but still) is too funny. Of course, all of the trees are brown and dead looking. That is the thing I hate most about winter weather. Everything looks dead. It's depressing.

That's why I don't want to ever live where this no snow in the winter. With snow, at least it looks like wniter and looks clean and pretty.

thats what they all say upon arriving in SoCal. after 6 months they are saying how much they never want to leave.

I loved SoCal. I would go back if we were transferred there. In Missouri, even after it snows, you still see the dead trees. It looks stark. I hate winters there. Of course, the snow never stays white for long. It gets all muddy and brown and ugly. I guess Cali winters spoiled me, because you still have life out there. It doesn't get ALL brown or dead. We were just getting our spring with the grass greening again and growing again. Buds on the trees, flowers growing. Now it is all dead, in two days, dead. The icecicles are funny, because they seem so out of place. I still can't believe they shut down and closed all of the freeways.

I go through snow withdrawls here in the south.