The Second Flight

Looks like things are getting shaken up in Republican Party Land!  It is like Candyland, save they are the ones bringing the Monopoly money over to get dibs on some of the best spots to land... the spots marked 'massive debt'.  It appears that the concept of Republican Party Establishment 'electability' that has gotten us such winners as McCain, Dole, and to a degree H.W. Bush is now taking it on the chin.  Getting to the headline thread at Hot Air sees that support in FL, where Romney has been campaigning for well nigh five years, has done a switcheroo after SC.  Remember now, Romney has saturated the airwaves, put out tons of robocalls (up to five a night in some households between the official campaign, the local campaign and the various PACs) and the man is now trailing... Newt Gingrich?  OK, it is alternate universe time as something is going on... and taking that to light here is what I wrote... given as is, barely getting breakfast finished and my first cup of coffee is STILL in front of me...

Now which alternate universe did I wake up in today?

Is it the one where a staunch fiscal conservative is ahead in the polls in primary? Hmmm… no… a couple of government tweakers and streamliners lead…

Is it the one in which a candidate is looking to rollback government power? Hmmmm…. no… just a couple of good managers for an authoritarian State, each with their own little cubbyholes and idosyncracies.

Is it the one in which a candidate will actually look at the Constitution word by word, sentence by sentence, clause by clause as it is written and then put that into place as the restricted and enumerated powers that the federal government is granted? Ooooo… nope… still not in that universe… yet…

Is it the one in which the base has gotten fed up with the elites and have decided that 2010 was only the beginning and a kamikaze mission is needed at the highest level to wake everyone up from their dreamland of thinking that getting rid of Obama is the ONLY thing that needs to happen? Hmmmm… you know… hmmmm… COD, Whitman… hmmmm… why yes! What happens when a political party decides to ignore the warning signs in a major interim election that was clearly telling it that it must support candidates who will STOP THE SPENDING? Why a kamikaze du jour to start the break-up of the establishment’s power in the party, to shatter its aura making of ‘electability’, to remove the final shreds of its credibility of being able to lead a National party that actually will PROTECT the Constitution and the Nation.

Yes, that appears to be the universe I woke up in this morning.

2010 redux, the second flights of the kamikaze attacks as the Republican leadership and its supporters have been bashed over the head with a simple cluebat of STOP THE SPENDING and haven’t listened. And this time the attack is only tangentially going after the officially approved-of candidate: the real target is the facade of power of the old Rockefeller Republican section of the party. Their new and improved, yet old and indifferent 5 year running candidate is suffering the merest blow-by of the attack… he is as unprepared as the establishment is for this kamikaze attack. Gingrich isn’t winning because of anything more than his willingness to fight and he is being fueled because his direction, his bombast and his rhetoric will hit right at the old establishment heart of the party. Mind you, that doesn’t mean he gets the nomination or the election, but he will serve his purpose.

The Republican party has had 2 Years to clean up its act.

It didn’t do that.

Is anyone surprised at these results?

ajacksonian on January 23, 2012 at 7:58 AM

Elections, as they say, have consequences.

I would expound a bit more on that, but I was more or less just enhancing the fact that Newt Gingrich's support isn't coming because of his POSITIONS nor because of his POLICY outlook.  Nope, not much difference between Romney and Gingrich, and blessed little between those two and Santorum... Ron Paul is in another reality all together, and if he wants to make an impact on the party during the nomination process, he should concentrate on the place he will get traction which is economic policy.

Newt Gingrich is the happy kamikaze, and we had a lot of those in 2010, and they weren't the most electable, the most stable, the most pure of candidates.  Some 'lost' races that an Establishment Republican might have 'won', but they would then be representative of a the Establishment, not the party base.  You can't win for losing that way, so you might as well send in an expendable candidate.  And the secret is that sometimes those expendables will win, which doesn't make them perfect or even good, but they do drive a message home and if they decide to flip on policy they will find the next kamikaze is coming at them.

That is this time around: the Second Flight of the Kamikaze Attacks Upon the Republican Party.

The Party had two whole years to mend its ways.

It didn't do so and didn't even try, what with the internal spending and extravagances that went on pretty much flying in the face of those who wanted money frugally spent.  Apparently there is a faulty receiver system in the Republican Party, and because I once sent money to that benighted organization I get calls to send them more money... and my original $25 was ill-spent... so I let them know my money is staying home and going to worthy candidates.  Not through an organization that skims off the top for fancy retreats and expensive dinners.  If they flew coach, stayed at a Red Roof Inn and ate at McDonald's and didn't go to the swanky bars and strip clubs, they might have gotten the clue or at least put on appearances of same.  It is STILL a big spending party on the Establishment side.  And their happy holiday retreat on the party member's money is now getting a high level kamikaze attack headed their way.

No I don't support any of these guys.

But someone needs to get the message driven home and Newt Gingrich is, at least, generally on target although he is coming from a quarter that doesn't really work, at least he has a clue as to what the target is.

Fuel him up, give him another ton of bombast to carry, and send him on his happy way.

The rest of us will concentrate on putting a Counterweight in place.

A different alternate history on terrorism

I do like it when public figures put out books on alternate history and then venture forth to offer 'alternative timelines' on things. Really! It's fun!

Latest is Newt Gingrich offering *his* alternate history on 'the war on terror', as reported on by David Freddoso at NRO. One of the great joys in my SF reading has been alt-history from H. Beam Piper's Paratime works (especially Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, critical reading for alt-history buffs) and L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall to the more recent 1632 by Eric Flint and the Belisarius Series by David Drake and Eric Flint (starting with An Oblique Approach). It is one of the more robust genres in SF as it really doesn't need much in the way of actual science beyond a framework for the alternate history itself (Piper's is a multilayer universe and the Belisarius works are the 'artifacts through time travel' deal) which is glossy cover for the meat of the works, which is examining the social and societal forces moving human history. So when Newt Gingrich offers something up for right after 9/11 (which I dealt with in what should have been said directly after it with this post) I actually *do* know where he is coming from, just disagree with *when* the alt-history should start. I do believe that he chose an era when he was out of office so that he could do the compare/contrast bit, so that he wouldn't have to criticize himself or those that he admires greatly.

Because I am under no such restrictions, I would actually start a bit earlier than Mr. Gingrich. Back to a time when he was still new to office, but this is not a criticism of him, as such. No, I think the opening line of the speech by a President in this alternate history timeline will tell what needs to be said during what would, naturally, be a televised broadcast....

My fellow Americans, I come to you tonight to talk about the sorrow that has befallen our soldiers in Lebanon. As you know yesterday our mission to help stabilize the country of Lebanon, wracked by civil war, has resulted in the foul attack on our brave Marines there and an attack on our French Allies within seconds of it. Tonight we grieve for our lost sons and those of France, who had agreed to help us in bringing some order to the tiny Nation of Lebanon that had fallen into Civil War and was threatening the stability of the Middle East. I have been talking with Prime Minister Mitterand throughout the day and we are in agreement that this attack should not and cannot stand.

I have also consulted with General Secretary Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko and they both told me that that the Soviet Union had no part and wants no part of this attack, and they are as deeply disturbed by it as I am. They further offered us such Intelligence capabilities and information as is available there in order to help out Prime Minister Mitterand and myself to make determinations in this grave time that has befallen us. Our combined Intelligence operations, American, French, Soviet, and British, all point to a new organization that has done this. While those claiming this attack call it 'Islamic Jihad', our Intelligence points to the terrorist organization Hezbollah as the source of these attacks and the previous attack on our Embassy in Beirut. Further, the individual in charge of the direct operations is a man called Imad Mugniyah.

This organization and that man receive financial training and support from Iran and Syria, but their role in this is unclear. As you know the Iranian government has commited despicable acts upon our Embassy and staff in Tehran under my predecessor, and Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko both assure me that to the best of their knowledge, the Soviet Union had no role in that and they are likewise disturbed by that event. While we do have grave and deep differences with the Soviet Union on outlook for how to run our societies, between myself, Mitterand and Andropov with Chernenko, we are in common agreement that this horrific activity is a danger not just to those who lost soldiers or relatives, but is a danger to all Nations.

The Civil War that we had tried to quell for humanitarian purposes was stoked by these barbaric terrorists, who seek to put Lebanon under their sway and then to achieve dominance there to attack outwards. These are not soldiers, wearing uniforms and swearing allegiance to either Syria or Iran or even to Lebanon: they see themselves as the only law on Earth. The deaths before we landed the three of us are in complete agreement, belong to organizations like Hezbollah that have stoked the fires of hatred not to stand up a new Nation but to fulfill dreams of conquest there.

My fellow Americans, these are barbaric acts. I have also been in contact with Prime Minister Thatcher and we have held the first full talks between the World War II Allies on matters of war since the end of that conflict. We do have deep and abiding problems with the Soviet Union and how they act in opposition to us and their activities in Afghanistan. But we recognize that the nature of that is wholly different from this deadly and unwarranted act carried out by Hezbollah against us and France. As this terrorist organization has placed itself outside of the law, after deep and difficult talks with our old wartime Allies we agree that this organization is now a common outlaw of us and all civilized Nations.

Tonight we exercise, in concert and full agreement between us, that wherever any individual associated with Hezbollah is found, that they be brought in and tried as pirates under the law of nations. Our history as a Nation has been short but as one Nation amongst many, we abide by the deep concept of the law of nations, which calls those that do these acts by names we now consider fanciful. Our founders and other Nations before our founding had a different view and the names they gave described actions horrible to them.

As horrible as the unlawful slaughter of our servicemen by those not of any Nation are to us.

Because we, as a Nation, do agree with the law of nations, tonight I, Prime Minister Mitterand, Prime Minister Thatcher and Secretary General Andropov declare these actions to be outlaw by the law of nations and due all penalties associated with piracy. This is not piracy as we see in the movies, as I well know, but piracy that attacks Nations to destroy them. These barbaric acts are described as predatory or personal warfare and it is abhorrent to me as it is to you and all civilized peoples. Our Allies are in full agreement with me on this.

Tonight I, and our old wartime Allies, now allow for the summary finding of any member of Hezbollah by our armed forces to be that of pirates when found, so that we may rid ourselves of this scourge that has attacked us. I will be asking Congress for a war finding against Hezbollah, so that we may avenge ourselves on this enemy of mankind. Tomorrow, each of our Nations, France, Great Britain, Soviet Union and the United States, will take up these articles in their legislative bodies. I ask Congress to give me the power to bring this unlawful organization down along with any who support them. And to further amend the piracy statutes to cover unlawful warfare of all types.

My fellow Americans, I grieve and deeply with you this night, for our lost soldiers who were out to help end suffering in a far off land. They were murdered by those waging war on us. I will do everything in my power as Commander in Chief to go after these outlaws and put a stop to this once and for all. That is the duty handed me by the Constitution and I seek backing for it with Congress as this war may go more deeply than we can expect.

We did not ask for a war to be given to us.

I have been handed one and my duty is to fight for what is right for ourselves and all Nations. That is my job that I asked for and I will do it for you, for our honored dead and to ensure the justice of Nations is applied. I cannot refuse to have our Nation fight when it has been attacked in this foul manner, as well as the brave sons of France, murdered by these outlaws.

I thank you all for your time tonight on this grave matter of concern for all Americans.

May God Bless the United States in these troubled times.

I bid you good night.

There, now *that* is an alternate history for you.

We forget that the USSR sponsored those that put on uniforms, by and large, and were held accountable for their actions to an authority structure.

Unfortunately President Reagan did not give that speech, and so now we are where we are, and in much, much deeper danger with the spread of these predators across the globe. No President has given that speech or one like it.

And yet it is one that desperately needs to be given. Because when only one side shows up to fight a war there is only one description of the side that does not show up: defeated. We have been on *that* path far too long.

Lawyer to terrorist suspects

Today we have a lawyer Sohail Mohammed kept on by the 6 men who were preparing to attack Ft. Dix. Luckily the 6 were caught before their plot could come to fruition. Now we have Mr. Mohammed who has previously been an advocate for other detainees on terrorism, especially after 9/11. He also, apparently, enjoys playing fast and loose with the actual law, such as the Geneva Conventions. Here is a bit from CNN on 18 OCT 2003, talking about those being detained at Guatanamo Bay, also on the show hosted by Andrea Koppel was Andrew Apostolou:

APOSTOLOU: [...]

Secondly, with regard to Guantanamo Bay, these people were detained in the theater of operations of combat in and around Afghanistan. Believe me, they weren't in Afghanistan for the skiing. And with regard to interrogating them, the Geneva Convention does allow you to do that.

That's very clear. Even human rights supporters said that.

KOPPEL: Well, that may be true. And certainly the Bush...

APOSTOLOU: No, it's not maybe true. It is true.

KOPPEL: Well, what I'm going to say is that the Bush administration has labeled them enemy combatants for that very reason, because many of the Taliban fighters, let alone the al Qaeda, were not wearing uniforms and therefore could not be easily identified as members of a military. But nevertheless, is it not a valid criticism to say you've had these guys in custody now, in some instances for close to two years. You haven't charged them with my terror-related charges.

When does push come to shove?

APOSTOLOU: Well, there are two issues there. First of all, they are what the U.S. government calls unlawful or illegal combatants, and that is, as you've said, because they violated the most basic rules of war. Let's not forget the Geneva Convention isn't just about prisoner rights. It's about distinguishing combatants from civilians.

These people deliberately blurred all the distinctions. And now they have the cheek to try to arrogate to themselves the protections of combatants.

MOHAMMED: Andrea...

APOSTOLOU: Excuse me. Will you allow me to finish my point? Thank you very much indeed.

They have blurred the distinctions. The U.S. government has given them considerable Geneva Convention rights, and rightly so to. But it would be to damage the integrity of the convention if you were to give them full POW rights. And remember, if you have full POW rights -- and whether you're a legal or a illegal combatant, that doesn't matter -- you can be detained until the end of hostilities. Hostilities are still ongoing. You will recall that American soldiers are being killed in Afghanistan by the Taliban very recently.

KOPPEL: Let's give an opportunity to Mr. Mohammed. You'll have the last word, sir. Do you care to comment?

MOHAMMED: Yes, Andrea. You know, the Geneva Convention provides a mechanism, when, if there is a question about a POW status, it must be resolved by an independent judicial. It's not up to President Bush. It's not up to individual nations to decide...

APOSTOLOU: That is a misquote to the Geneva Convention. That is a misquote to the Geneva Convention.

Yet again, we have the GC brought into things. So let us look at the GC on this very topic. This is covered as follows:

Convention III
Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva, 12 August 1949

Art. 5. The present Convention shall apply to the persons referred to in Article 4 from the time they fall into the power of the enemy and until their final release and repatriation.

Should any doubt arise as to whether persons, having committed a belligerent act and having fallen into the hands of the enemy, belong to any of the categories enumerated in Article 4, such persons shall enjoy the protection of the present Convention until such time as their status has been determined by a competent tribunal.

Competent tribunal. That is a MILITARY TRIBUNAL not a civil court judge nor is it an 'independent judicial' arrangement. And remember that the US has *not* signed the 1977 GC Protocols to encompass terrorists as that infringes on the Power granted to Congress to determine such in the US Constitution. Under the GC any Nation that is attacked and adheres to the GC *must* convene a Military Tribunal to determine if individuals belong in the category of Soldier or Civilian or *other*. Until terrorists came along, that other did and still does mean 'unlawful combatant'. The easier term for it is *spy*.

So, Mr. Mohammed is not just mis-stating the GC, but doing so in attempt to circumvent the normal course of military affairs. It is not the place of a civil court to figure out who or who is not attempting to wage war on the United States: that is given to the US Armed Forces to do via the Geneva Conventions, the UCMJ and the basic division of powers within the Constitution itself. Mr. Mohammed is trying to raise fears about treatment of detainees, just has he has done so before by trying to say that actions taken overseas are raising the hatred of Muslims in the US. This is from Al Jazeera on 27 JUN 2004:

"Since 9/11, every time there is an incident overseas attributed to Muslims or Arabs, we go on orange alert ourselves," said immigration solicitor Sohail Muhammad.

"There are individuals here who are off the wall, who think that every woman who wears a hijab or every man named Muhammad is out to blow things up," he added.

Where are these people you point at anonymously, Mr. Mohammed? I do not see them ranting and raving on the streets and threating individuals with Islamic based names or garb. Before that Mr. Mohammed was on a CNN program that looked at the FBI recruiting people from the Muslim communities in the US and monitoring what was going on at Mosques. From the 2 JUN 2002 transcript we get this:

SOHAIL MOHAMMED, JOB FAIR SPONSOR: Why don't have fair representation of American Muslims in your forces? We ought to be asking why your agencies are suspicious of Muslim activities? Why is our places of worship the focus of your attention, when you know the hijackers were not worshiping at religious centers, but they were hanging out at bars?

Why are we suspicious of what is going on at Mosques and other Muslim activities in America? After 9/11? And even before then we had ample problems with some of the people being brought in from Hamas and other organizations to recruit from Islamic meetings in America. From House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims on 25 JAN 2000 we get this:

United States House of Representatives
Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims
House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims
Hearing on International Terrorism and Immigration Policy

January 25, 2000

· Khalid Mishal, a top leader of Hamas, who, in his speeches in the United States, has called for stabbings


· Kamal Hilbawi, a spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood, who has called for attacks on American targets and who has encouraged carrying out of suicide bombings

· Yusef Al Qaradawi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and active supporter of Hamas and other violent groups, who has called for suicide bombings and taking over the United States

Maybe calling for stabbings, attacks on American targets, suicide bombings and 'taking over the United States' might be a good reason to start monitoring such places where folks like this can congregate and make contacts and preach their violent form of radical islam. Actually that last of calling for taking over the US by a foreigner and aiding and abetting such sounds damned awful. Here is a bit more on another man from that same House document:

Musa Abu Marzook and UASR:

The United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), an Islamic think tank now based in Springfield, Virginia, was founded in 1989 in Chicago, Illinois by a number of prominent Islamic radials living in the US, primary among whom was Musa Abu Marzook.

Musa Abu Marzook, a.k.a. Abu Omar, was the head of the Hamas Political Bureau since 1988, while he was resident in the United States. Hamas (Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamia fi Filastin - The Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine) is one of the most militant Islamic groups in the world and is included in the United States Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations that are outlawed pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Hamas has claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombing attacks within Israel resulting in the deaths of scores of innocent Israelis.

On July 27, 1995, Marzook was arrested at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport because "he played an important role in supervising the activities of the military wing to Hamas [the wing responsible for the terrorist attacks] and in appointing individuals to important leadership roles in the military wing." In the United States, Abu Marzook was "responsible for the Muslim Brothers organization in the U.S. and resigned from this job in order to devote his time to activities dedicated to Palestine" following the foundation of the Hamas. Marzook, who was born in the Gaza Strip, was a close associate of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the Islamic cleric who founded Hamas as an organization distinct from its parent group Muslim Brotherhood.

Marzook first came to the United States in the late 1970s, although immigration records show that he formally began residing in the United States starting in 1981. Marzook and his family lived in a number of locations during their 14 years in the United States, including Colorado, Louisiana and Virginia. He and his family moved to Falls Church, Virginia in 1991.

Between 1993 and 1995, Marzook resided principally in Jordan, which deported him in June 1995 for his involvement and senior position in Hamas. In July 1995, after making trips to Iran and Syria, Abu Marzook attempted to reenter the United States at which time he was arrested by customs and INS officials at the request of the Israeli government which sought to prosecute Abu Marzook for numerous crimes in connection with his leadership role in Hamas. In October 1995, acting at the request of the Israeli government, the United States initiated extradition proceedings against Abu Marzook based on pending Israeli criminal charges that included murder, attempted murder and conspiracy stemming from Hamas-sponsored terrorist acts.
At the time of his arrest, Abu Marzook was a permanent resident alien of the United States. In 1990, he and his family received their Green Cards in an INS lottery that offered "permanent legal residency" to potential immigrants. In affidavits filed by Deputy United States Attorney Shirah Neiman, the role of Abu Marzook in Hamas activities was discussed as follows:

In his role as head of political bureau, Abu Marzook financed certain activities of Hamas, including terrorist activities against soldiers and civilians in the Territories and Israel. In addition, he played an important role in supervising the activities of the military wing to Hamas (the wing responsible for the terrorist attacks) and in appointing individuals to important leadership roles in the military wing. Throughout most of the relevant period, he resided in the United States.

What a wonderful fellow, no? Great guy to have had wandering around the US *legally*. Further in that House document we run across another fine specimen of terrorism:

Islamic militants on the lecture circuit in the United States: "The Jews distort words from their meanings…they killed the prophets and worshipped idols…Allah says he who equips a warrior of Jihad is like the one who makes Jihad himself." In Arabic, Wagdi Ghuniem, a militant Islamic cleric from Egypt, mesmerized his audience, with his relentless tirade against the Jews, reminding them of the Jews' "infidelity," "stealth" and "deceit." Known for his folksy deliveries and exhortations to commit violence against the Jews, Ghuniem did not disappoint his crowd, several of whom had come just to hear him. The conflict with the Jews, he said, was not over land but one of religion. "The problem of Palestine is not a problem of belief… suppose the Jews said 'Palestine--you [Muslims] can take it.' Would it then be ok? What would we tell them? No! The problem is belief, it is not a problem of land."

Ghuniem then led his rapt audience, which numbered as many as 500, in a special song, the audience responsively repeating each refrain:

No to the Jews

Descendants of the Apes

We Vow to Return

Despite the Obstacles

The administrators of Brooklyn College would probably have been surprised to learn thattheir campus was the site of an incendiary rally more similar to those held in Gaza than those held in the United States. On May 24, 1998, a special all-day program was held in the Walt Whitman Auditorium of Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York. Organized by the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), an American-headquartered front group for Hamas, the program was entitled "Palestine: 50 Years of Occupation." Eleven Islamic organizations co-sponsored the event, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Islamic Society of North America, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and the Islamic Circle of North America. To the outside world, this conference probably seemed like one of the many seminars held on campus. Conducted almost entirely in Arabic, the conference featured Islamic speakers from the United States and abroad.

Remember this guy was here *legally* to preach this stuff. What lovely visas the Dept. of State hands out for these religious 'teachers' of hate and terrorism. And, apparently, he hung around a bit:

Still, the question raised by Ghuniem's numerous appearances in the United States is how do terrorists manage to enter the country?

One method has been those who deliberately overstay their student visas, some op who are dispatched from terrorist-supporting regimes. Some of these "students" have acquired visas for the purpose of attaining cover for their illicit activities as activists for terrorist organizations. Others receive advanced degrees in the US and return to their countries where some might work in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programs. Although there is no official compilation of the number of student visas granted to would-be terrorists and agents of terrorist supporting regimes, one study currently in preparation shows that there are at least 200 terrorists or agents of terrorist regimes and organizations who have received student visas in the past decade to pursue undergraduate or graduate training.

Forgive me if I really don't mind overmuch if a religion that promotes such individuals, hides them and encourages terrorism might just be necessary to keep an eye on. Plus find out exactly what some of these 'students' are up to these days.

From an AP report at MSNBC on 18 JAN 2007, which looks at the television program '24', we get this from Mr. Mohammed:

Sohail Mohammed, a New Jersey immigration lawyer who represented scores of detainees caught up in the post-Sept. 11 dragnet, watched the episode depicting the nuclear attack with an Associated Press reporter.

“I was shocked,” he said. “Somewhere, some lunatic out there watching this will do something to an innocent American Muslim because he believes what he saw on TV.”

Dear, me! A topical storyline that features Muslims in a bad light as terrorists, after the article has already pointed out that the show has had multiple different ethnicities and cultures shown as having terrorist activities? And you have to love that AP spin on 'post-Sept. 11 dragnet' which caught up all of 1,200 people in it and almost all of them *released* because they had not been associated with terrorist groups. Yes indeed suspicion had fallen on the Arab Muslim population. 9/11 was *caused* by radical Arab Muslims! Also note that Mr. Mohammed is *still* putting out the line on endangering innocent Muslims years after he first started it up and we still have so very few reports of any sort of crime like that it would stand out if it *did* happen.

Now it just so happens that Mr. Sohail Mohammed is counsel for the American Muslim Union, as seen in this article on the USAPATRIOT Act from 2002. Over at Discover the Networks we get this quick rundown of the AMU:

Based in Paterson, New Jersey, the American Muslim Union (AMU) is "dedicated to serving the American Muslim community and its unique needs." Five of AMU's current and former directors and executives have held, or still hold, leadership positions at the Islamic Center of Passaic County (ICPC), which was co-founded by Hamas fundraiser Mohammad El-Mezain. AMU's President, Mohamed Younes, is a member of ICPC's Board of Trustees.

At an October 2001 event, AMU hosted the pro-Hamas attorney Stanley Cohen. In March 2004, AMU's invitation to an interfaith event was revoked after two Jewish organizations complained about the group's ties to Islamic terrorism.

AMU views the post-9/11 anti-terror legislation passed by the U.S. government -- particularly the Patriot Act -- as a coordinated assault on the civil liberties of Americans, especially those of Muslim heritage. AMU Executive Director Waheed Khalid has called the Patriot Act "an extremely dangerous piece of legislation" that, "under the guise of 'national security,'" tramples on "our nation's more than 200-year-old Constitution."

In December 2001 -- three months after the 9/11 attacks -- AMU joined forces with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Human Rights Education & Law Project, and the Council of New Jersey Mosques in a campaign to provide immigration attorneys for any Muslims in New Jersey who were questioned by law-enforcement officials in connection with Justice Department terrorism investigations.

AMU chose not to endorse or participate in the May 14, 2005 "Free Muslims March Against Terror," an event whose purpose was to send "a message to radical Muslims and supporters of terrorism that we reject them and that we will do all we can to defeat them."

Yes, yet another of those pro-Hamas groups! They can't even put on the window dressing of wanting to end support of terrorism. This lovely NY Sun article from 29 MAR 2004 looks at who was hobnobbing with the AMU at a sponsored event:

Rep. Bill Pascrell and Senator Corzine, both Democrats of New Jersey, addressed an annual “community brunch” last month co-sponsored by 11 Muslim organizations, including a mosque that has allegedly raised funds for Hamas and another New Jersey mosque whose former imam was convicted last year for smuggling more than a half-million dollars to an Egyptian group that the American Treasury Department subsequently designated a terrorist organization.

Mr. Pascrell has also received campaign contributions and fund-raising support from the president of the event’s primary sponsor.

The American Muslim Union’s Annual Community Brunch on February 21, 2004, was co-sponsored by 10 other organizations, including the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Islamic Center of Passaic County of Paterson, the El Tawheed Islamic Center of Jersey City, and the Dar-ul-Islah Islamic Center of Teaneck.

The co-sponsor with the most apparent ties to radical Islam, including allegedly raising funds for Hamas and hosting as a speaker last year an alleged Hamas figure, is the Islamic Center of Passaic County. The American Muslim Union, though, appears to have close ties to the Islamic Center of Passaic County, as five of its current and former directors and executives have held or still hold leadership positions at the Islamic Center.

The American Muslim Union insists it is a mainstream group, and Mr. Pascrell says he doesn’t regret the appearance. Neither Mr.Pascrell nor Mr.Corzine generally vote outside of the Democratic mainstream on Israel or terror-related matters.

One does wonder if Mr. Pascrell or Corzine is looking for 'moderate' terrorists. Because the AMU certainly has hosted them! Yes, indeed, from a reprint 12 AUG 2004 WaPo article at Militant Islam Monitor, we find a camp hosted by the AMU:

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., Aug. 11 -- Mazen Mokhtar, a computer professional trained at Johns Hopkins University, is a familiar face to young activist Muslim men in New Jersey, often delivering what acquaintances describe as mild speeches extolling marriage and religious piety.

But Wednesday, Mokhtar, an Egyptian-born American citizen, found himself issuing a statement denying government accusations that he has aided violent terrorists. Some of those who know him expressed surprise at allegations that he worked with a British man who is accused of soliciting funds for terrorism by operating jihadist Web sites.

"I do not support and I have never supported any action that harms innocent people," Mokhtar, 36, said in the statement, released by his attorney. "I have never knowingly assisted any terrorist group."

Mokhtar has often lectured to youth groups at mosques, has spoken at Rutgers University rallies supporting the Palestinian cause and was invited to speak later this month at a summer camp run by the Young Muslims of North America.

[...]

Nearby, in a working-class area of New Brunswick, about two dozen men filed into the storefront Masjid Al-Huda mosque Wednesday for midday prayers. Imam Abdul Basit, who came from Pakistan three years ago, said Mokhtar occasionally leads the Friday prayers.

"We sometimes invite him to come and give [a] sermon," Basit said. "If we knew from any day that he is saying something bad, we would stop him immediately." But, he said, "I never hear anything bad, only how we can be a good Muslim."

Magdy Mahmoud, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Mokhtar is one of many young men on the lecture circuit, "a wise man in the community, a humble man." Mahmoud said Mokhtar visited several mosques in New Jersey and was not affiliated with just one.

Mahmoud said Mokhtar distinguished himself by the "balanced views" he presented to his audience. "People with radical views don't usually attract large audiences," he said.

Mohamed Younes, president of the American Muslim Union in Paterson, N.J., said Mokhtar's lectures there were benign. "Compared to others, he was much more moderate," Younes said.

And what, exactly, was Mazen Mokhtar doing? Just hosting duplicate of an al Qaeda website as seen in this FrontPage mag 29 DEC 2005 article:

The other featured speaker for the MAS Retreat is Mazen Mokhtar. Mokhtar is the Youth Division Head of MAS-New Jersey and the Khateeb (sermon-giver) of Masjid Al-Huda and the Institute of Islamic Studies. Mokhtar is also associated with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda.

In August of 2004, shortly before he was to speak at a Young Muslims camp in Pennsylvania (‘A Few Good Men’), the U.S. government accused Mokhtar of assisting Al-Qaeda through the use of a web site he had created. The web site was www.minna.com, and it was a “mirror site” (replica) of www.azzam.com (Azzam Publications), a site named for Abdullah Azzam that was soliciting funds and recruiting Taliban, Chechen and Al-Qaeda mujaheddin (holy warriors) for terrorist operations overseas. Mokhtar’s site was to be used as a back-up for Azzam Publications, when Azzam was shut down after the 9/11 attacks, so that fundraising and recruitment could continue.

On Azzam Publications, in an “APPEAL FOR PROFESSIONAL WEB DESIGNERS,” it is stated, “…we hope inshallah, that Allah would reward you for any time or effort spent in assisting our aspiration of providing an independent media source from the Islamic perspective.” It seems that Mokhtar answered the appeal.

His reward? A search was conducted on the New Jersey home of Mokhtar, and copies of Azzam Publications sites were found on his computer’s hard drive and files. These sites were being run by a British citizen named Babar Ahmad, a man thought to have been part of an operation headed by captured Al-Qaeda mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed.

On Mokhtar’s Minna site, in the page titled ‘Jihad in Chechnya,’ a video CD depicting terrorist operations was being sold through the website. On the bottom of the page, it states, “Any enquiries regarding the content of this CD should be directed to the Islamic Army of the Caucasus, to Field Commander Shamil Basayev, Field Commander Khattab or their spokesman Movladi Udogov.” In September of 2004, Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for the Beslan school massacre in Russia, which left over 300 dead, mostly children.

Acquaintances of Mokhtar’s expressed “surprise” at the notion that he would be affiliated with something such as this -- that his speeches were “mild,” not extreme. However, when one looks at his past, prior to his involvement with Al-Qaeda, one gets an entirely different picture.

On an Internet newsgroup forum, from the years 1992 to 1996, Mazen Mokhtar had made some very disturbing (and somewhat comical) remarks about the terrorist group Hamas and the concept of suicide bombing. Some of his statements are as follows:

• “One of the reasons of my support for Hamas is that they have very high moral standards… If their standards were lax, they would have lost my support, and moral standards can't get any more lax than killing those who are innocent.”


• “Bombing houses is best left to the IDF (IOF?) they are the experts in the field. Hamas prefers to invest its limited resources in doing good.”


• “I have read the [Hamas] covenant. I support the covenant…”


• “Hamas’s path is the only path in the history of the Palestinian struggle against Israel that has produced results, and the results are impressive, I must say. I think it is clear that Hamas has the wider vision and the better plan.”


• “…the operations of HAMAS are heroic.”


• “In any action of mass self defense, there is the possibility that some innocent people will die… I have enough trust in Hamas to feel that no one is killed before being identified as a collaborator.” “Yes, [suicide bombing is allowed], assuming that the targets are legitimate (and the suicide bombing is a sacrifice, not a suicide.)”


• “[Blowing yourself up is not considered suicide], because it’s an effective method of attacking the enemy and continuing jihad… These are not people [sic] committing suicide because they are fed up with life, these are people who are sacrificing their lives for Allah.”

The Muslim American Society of Tampa cannot plead ignorance, with respect to the views of the two featured speakers it is sponsoring at its retreat. This is the case not just because MAS has associated with these two in the past, but because quite simply, the viewpoint of the organization is identical!

I believe we are coming close to the Democrat's goal to find 'moderate' terrorists! Thus Mr. Sohail Mohammed is associated with an organization that brings in a pro-Hamas speaker who also runs a terrorist support website for a publication that was closed down in the UK for supporting terrorism. Of course the AMU also supports defeatism, as seen from this anti-semitic, racist website document:

August 16
Bring the Troops Home NOW!
Vigil/Car Caravan/Press Conference
[Thanks to Elaine B, who sent this in.]
Wednesday, August 16, 2006, will mark the 1st anniversary of the weekly Bring the Troops Home NOW vigil in Teaneck, NJ.
It will mark the “debut” of the newest Support our Troops. Bring them home. NOW! billboard in Hackensack.

[..]

Speakers:
John Fenton (whose son, Matthew, was killed in Iraq)
Amanda Schroeder (whose brother, Augie, was killed in Iraq)
Al Zappala, Gold Star Families Speak Out (His son, Sherwood, was killed looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.)
Military Families Speak Out -Bergen County - members whose sons are in Iraq and Afghanistan
State Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, District 37
State Assemblywoman Valorie Huddle, District 37
Teaneck Peace and Justice Coalition representative
Ken Dalton, Veterans For Peace, Chapter 21, NJ
Tom Urgo, Vietnam Veterans Against the War
Waheed Khalid, American Muslim Union

Yes, supporting defeat for heading onto a year now along with other Leftist organizations, is the AMU. Nice to see the VVAW is still hobbling along with its ancient clap-trap, too. Any bets on the party affiliation of the Assemblybeings?

But, Mr. Sohail Mohammed really *does* support the right of free speech, doesn't he? Well, Precinct333 would have some quibbles with him as a Newsday article is quoted there with Mr. Sohail Mohammed featured after the murder of Coptic Christians in NJ:

Sohail Mohammed, the lawyer for the American Muslim Union, wrote to Attorney General Peter Harvey Wednesday seeking an investigation of comments made by some in the Coptic community in the days following the slaying of the Armanious family in January.

Mohammed said those comments might have been designed to dissuade Muslims from attending the funeral, and could have been intended to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment.

He noted that many Muslim leaders stayed away from the funeral. The handful who did attend were greeted with abuse and several had to be escorted by police officers from the church hall where the funeral was being held for their own safety, he said.

"We are concerned that those comments were deliberately intended to incite the public," Mohammed said. "If it was intentional, we want Mr. Harvey to do an investigation and determine if it was a bias crime. If there was bias related to it, it becomes a bias crime."

Bias crime? Having a bias is a crime? I am biased towards civilized behavior. Is *that* a crime? Biased comments? Say what? Hasn't Mr. Mohammed heard of 'freedom of speech'? He can't even figure out the First Amendment or the Geneva Conventions, it appears. Plus that political activism angle by the AMU is none too savory.

But then the AMU has a history of that! Why, yes, the AMU is part of the American Muslim Alliance. Those folks were just a tad upset by the 2001 campaign of Jim McGreevy in NJ and here is a bit of that:

COALITION OF NEW JERSEY MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS DISMAYED BY ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY IN REMARKS BY THE MCGREEVEY CAMPAIGN CAIR-(Newark, NJ, July 23, 2001)

A coalition representing nine major Muslim groups issued a joint statement today expressing its dismay over anti-Muslim bigotry in remarks made last week by the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim McGreevey. This bigotry was manifest in attempts to ostracize the American Muslim Alliance, a mainstream American Muslim civic organization. The broad coalition represents a significant portion of the more than 400,000 Muslims in New Jersey and includes the Majlis Ash-Shura of New Jersey (Council of Mosques and Islamic Organizations), American Muslim Alliance - New Jersey Chapter, American Muslim Council - New Jersey Chapter, American Muslim Union, Islamic Public Affairs Council, Arab American League of Voters, Muslim American Society - New Jersey Chapter, the Islamic Institute, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

That found at arabmedia.com. Yes, you did read that right: 23 JUL 2001! So pre-9/11, and they are griping about what Democratic candidate for Governor Jim McGreevey is saying. And just what was that? Well time to dig a bit more... and come up with the National Jewish Democratic Council on 21 JUL 2001 and its defense of Jim McGreevey:

NJDC Defends McGreevey Against Attack from Arab-American Coalition
July 22, 2001

AMA's Claims of Candidate's Bigotry Unfounded, While Bigotry of Coalition Members is Well-Documented

Washington, DC: The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) today defended New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee James McGreevey against a coalition of Arab-American advocacy groups, which claims that McGreevey has made "anti-Muslim" remarks. The coalition's statement was made in reference to McGreevey's criticism of the American Muslim Alliance, whose members have made incendiary comments about Jews and Israel in recent years.

The coalition's press release states that McGreevey has attempted to ostracize one of the coalition's members, the American Muslim Alliance (AMA), by refusing to attend that organization's events and accept contributions from its members. The statement adds that the coalition hopes McGreevey "will not continue to succumb to pressure from those who seek to exclude American Muslims from both political debate and the political process."

AMA leaders have claimed that UN resolutions give Palestinians the right to armed resistance against Israelis, and they have called on the United Nations to establish a "war crimes tribunal" for Israel, stating that "Palestinian towns and villages are besieged by Israeli forces in a manner that can easily be compared to such historic tragedies as the creation of the Warsaw ghetto." During an AMA conference in 1997, the AMA also distributed Holocaust revisionist literature written by AMA officials.

The press release was issued by the American Muslim Council (AMC), an organization whose members have vocally supported the terrorist groups Hamas and Hizballah. In January, the Secretary of the Board of the AMC participated in what the U.S. State Department referred to as a terrorist conference with a "destructive agenda," which included the participation of leaders of Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, and Osama Bin Ladin's organization.

Now hold on a minute there! The AMC which is an umbrella over the AMU had a Secretary of the Board that was in a meeting and supported al Qaeda?!? WTF? In JAN 2001, no less. And the AMC has the AMA under its umbrella, which also has the AMU under that same umbrella so it has no problems being a part of an organization with them?

Dear, me!

Of course that highly Hamas supporting Islamic Center - Passaic Chapter, remember them from further up? - they had the great and good fortune not only to lead the NJ Senate in Prayer on 16 DEC 2000 but Mr. Mohammed had just a little to say on that:

NJ Senate Starts with Islamic Prayers

Trenton (New Jersy): The Senate of the State of New Jersy in US began its winter session with Islamic prayers on December 16. Islamic scholar Mohammad Qarnani led the house in a prayer at the start of the session here. The prayers were organized coinciding with the Holy Month of Ramadan and in recognition of nearly 400,000 Muslims in the state. Qarnani leads the Islamic Center at the Pesic county in the state.

Attorney Suhail Mohammad who is trustee and legal advisor for the local organization American Muslim Union welcomed the Senate gesture. President of the Union Mr. Yunus also held the event as a significant one in the history of the state.

Such a very nice gesture of the NJ Senate to welcome in a scholar from the terrorist supporting Islamic Center to lead them in prayers, isn't it? So nice of the AMU to support that, isn't it?

But I do know that Mr. Sohail Mohommed has a soft spot in his heart. Yes, he will come to the defense of a fellow shark... mmmm... lawyer! That's it lawyer! Like he did on 11 JUN 2003:

NYC: An Evening for Attorney LYNNE STEWART
"First they came for the immigrants,
then they came for their lawyers."

June 11, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Judson Memorial Church,
55 Washington Square South

An evening of information, discussion, cultural performance and celebration of resistance

In support of Lynne Stewart, the human rights attorney now under indictment by Ashcroft for "materially aiding terrorism" in violating punitive prison administrative rules in connection with her Arab prisoner client.

Special presentation of the Refuse & Resist! "Courageous Resister Award" to Lynne Stewart.

Also speaking/performing:
Clark Kissinger, Refuse & Resist!
Laura Whitehorn, former political prisoner
Randy Credico, comedian
Richie Havens, musician
Sohail Mohammed, General Counsel to American Muslim Union

Sponsored by: Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, Refuse & Resist!, National Lawyers Guild

Of course it is a fellow terrorist supporting lawyer Lynne Stewart who was convicted of helping the Blind Sheikh Rahman pass information to the Muslim Brotherhood during his incarceration after the 1993 WTC bombing. A bit from an article at Strategypage:

The recent disbarment of Lynne Stewart is one of the latest examples of what is wrong with using the law-enforcement approach to dealing with terrorism. Not only is there the fact that all too often, treating terrorism as a criminal matter to be dealt with by law enforcement agencies, leads to terrorists going back onto the street, but there are problems with the lawyers.

Stewart was convicted for providing material support to terrorists while she was representing Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman during his terrorism trial. One of the things she did was pass messages to Rahman's supporters – including exhortations to kill those who opposed his brand of Islamic fundamentalism. Also, during Rahman's trial, evidence was turned over to his attorneys. At least one of the documents handed over in accordance with rules of discovery ultimately found its way to al Qaeda headquarters in the Sudan. That document contained a list of people who were on the government's radar screen – and thus alerted al-Qaeda to the possibility of surveillance. This was an intelligence disaster.

And the Muslim Brotherhood created Hamas, so it is all one, big, happy family! All of that outlining was done in a previous article of mine looking at Rep. Hoyer trying to find 'moderate' terrorists. Went all the way to Egypt when he could have found them in New Jersey, instead. And the Muslim Brotherhood? They had a guy who had been one of their trainees and he was in Albania back in the late 1990's.

Who was that?

Detailed that in this article I did a bit further back on Iranian influence in Bosnia and some of the interconnections there.

His name?

Osama bin Laden.

One big, happy family.

First Winter's Tale of Free Land

From those who remember, Free Land, partial Saga transcribed:

Eric Three Lands walked forth that winter on with Harald and Olaf both stout and able warriors and with Asqe from northern peoples they had known who served to interpret as best he could given strange tongues so far south. The colony foodstuffs while not sparse held only as much as a winter could allow and no error for winds and cold to be seen. Those that had followed were hearty ones and ensured that they had sustenance for winter of Greenland so no problems with that were seen, but ensuring resources to repair ships and and coats and other needful things were in short supply so even the hunting and fishing saw need for more than those who landed could do.

The Wampanoag folks of this land were good and friendly although friction arose on which land is used when with them. Those that sailed and arrived ensured that they found place so as to not arouse anger nor ire, and respected those places special and holy to these people. When first carvings done and ship moorings built, the Wampanoag saw such images as they had known of wind and wolf and bear and ice and waves, so knew these people had like such beliefs as they. Now the winter work needs be done and sails and ships repaired, save those needed for netting fish, and that too limited to two ships and few men.

Trudging through snow up to knees was hard, but not over so for people of the North, and knew their step and ability so as to move quickly without fail. Arriving at a village of rounded huts of hide and wood, the four gave hail to announce themselves via horn from times of old. They had been espied and knew such and saw such spies as only Northmen could, but gave greetings such to let those know that ill-intent was not theirs.

With smoke greetings returns they moved forward and into the village and gave greeting to those they knew and handed small carved trinkets whittle from wood in such spare time as meager light and life allow. Many such locals had them on fiber corded for such things and kept such keepsakes close. For all that these sea folk from beyond were strange in stature, clothes and much else, they bore the symbols that joined them across far seas and the life that goes with them.

Together with such greetings they moved towards a larger place, and warmed themselves by fire as they talked in what little they had learned. Smoked and salted fish and meats they bore along with other minor fare, plus leather made from fish skin with sheen for whatever the people needs. They sat and talked of needful things and ate sparingly as they shared, then told of those things they sought to find to keep their lives moving.

Harald was smith with small forge that he crafted from such clay as was about, and could do minor work for reforging things that broke. But iron ran short fast and new iron need be had, along with flux if it was near, so that pure iron was quickly gained. Olaf had an eye for things, beyond the seaborne tides, and knew how to espy those very needed things. For Eric sat and ensured that those who they came to visit, knew that the entire people were present in their captain from sea until Thing-time and lawgiver chosen.

Harald and Asqe spoke, with Olaf interjecting and puzzled frowns from those that sat, were seen all around. Eric then said to Harald, 'Show them what is your need, for they have no knowledge of it nor the casting of iron seed.' From his pack Harald brought bundle and unwrapped its well stained fibers, then showed the bog rock that was the need of his hearth and forge to rend. 'This is last raw bog iron straight from our old climes. Look it well and let me know, can it anywhere be found?' As Asqe talked and the rock was passed, each hefted and gave it a look, and then a boy looked forward and exclaimed and ran dashing through the snow.

He returned with friend hefting rock between them, much for two striplings to bear nor even a stout man. As all looked Olaf rose and went to help the lads, and with the rock inside he took small hammer to it, and looked as piece flew off. 'That is the rock we search for, tis plain and simple truth.' With that Eric smiled and asked what the people needed in return. The looked puzzled at these men, smiling over heavy rock, but as it was explained to them they came to know its worth.

The Sachem Running Wolf and Grandmother Dawn Sparrow of their people talked and then asked others to join the gathering, the boys sat by their prize and Olaf smiled to them and nodded to the rock. Soon parents came and listened and talked faster than Asqe could relay and warmed pots of berry mash served as talking did go on. Finally their Sachem asked, 'How long will you be staying here?'

With that Eric looked at him and those gathered in around, and spoke. 'We come from lands that we find turning unfair and much to our dislike. I ventured three lands once and then vowed three more to find surcease. Now in this three on three I come to make my life for good. Those that follow do also come for that and life continued. We trade for what we need, but do not scorn the fight to those that scorn us first. We seek a land where each is free to worship as his want, and live free of being pestered.'

Asqe shivered and told the truth of that, as best as he was able: 'Though Norse fierce these people, they honor their friends and such agreements. Do not ever cross Norsemen, for it will be the last mistake you make. I have ventured southwards with them from old lands and saw that truth. To those that oppose them there is no end of Nordic ire.' Eric made sure that Asqe told them so these people could see the gleam, as Asqe's eyes did glitter.

The Sachem Running Wolf nodded gravely, remembering reports from first meet. Where Nauset set upon these Northmen, and few lived to tell their tale. The villages that followed that showed wrath beyond compare. While three fighters of these Norse brought down, more handfulls died of Nauset people, and that brought his own tribe to demonstrate their peace. In one day they had done what no other done for all of Grandmother's memory had to speak. And they had traveled further than any other known, from land so far that it dimmed in distance far, where their sun was noon it arose here, to those first seeing light of day.

Eric then went on to speak his worth, and let these people know: 'When spring arrives one ship be sent, back to our old land. Sending gifts and greetings and fair warning, to Kings of Danes and Swedes. Their hands will not stretch here, nor any fighting might. But welcome all those who would settle peacefully, and live life free of them. We settle by agreement unless cause is given otherwise, then blood will not retain us. No one threatens free men, nor any to detain us. But we hold to our Law, and each accountable to All.'

The weight of future held to this Sachem Running Wolf , no great nor for all his People, and to clan Grandmother Dawn Sparrow to help weigh that future of their People. They talked on this and listened to worries of their kin, then she looked to Asqe and asked direct of him: 'Did you come willingly with these ones, of their cold clime?' Asqe nodded and looked to her: 'They asked for one venturesome, who would risk life to come with them. They gave scant pay unto me, and that to family, as I had ventured before with them and saw great giving in the travel. I come free as have they to be free for all my People.'

Grandmother looked strangely then: 'Your People are put upon?' Asqe nodded: 'They are, Cousin Grandmother, as the icy waters change, and we venture further south, and run straight into such Norse. Those that rule them in far land set them on one course. But they are free and now break from that to be free from that hand. Such are they that make their way to be judged on their own acts, and will not be put upon when rulers erode their pax.'

Sachem Running Wolf looked at Asqe: 'They give up bond of kin?' Asqe looked to him and said: 'No they give up no kin. But they have this Law over them that needs new Lawgiver each year. Those that rule over those, must adhere to such things they do. For these People crossed will bear little that does not respect them nor their lives. And here their rules guide them, and Eric their lawgiver from their voyage, come in spring new Lawgiver chosen, though likely tis the same. And he will have none over him nor over those that follow.'

Eric Three Lands had heard and said: 'I expect many others to follow. But as all respect the Law, they come here by it to be true. Respect where given is returned, and that Law has always been true.' Sachem Running Wolf looked into Eric's eyes, ones that had seen blood running very red, a man of three lands once and then again, now declaring his place to hold. 'Freedom is the venture, but only for the bold.'

Grandmother's brow furrowed and whispered: 'How many come, you of Three Lands told?' Eric looked to Olaf who then spoke up: 'I see you have such emblem here with star above arcs of color. From those I come from under Odin's eye, we know that symbol too. May I ask you what it is to you, so that I can tell from me to you?'

Grandmother Dawn Sparrow smiled, and eyes twinkled: 'That is first light that make us all. With Spirit, Blood, Life, Earth and Spirit, Plants and Death. For all that makes us from beginning comes from that first bound light.' Olaf smiled: 'Thank you, oldster, for your knowledge you give to me. For us that is the home of Gods and the colors that great Bifrost Bridge, leading from this world far into the next which is the source of all of us.'

Olaf then spoke anew: 'That bridge comes down in rainbow to show us its great light. And it is everywhere and given to show us the Way. The time is ending in our lands, where those seek out that great light, and see it as simple colors that are not so bright. And so they spurn that which was passed to us, from generations gone, and I come with Eric to see such new where it is undiminished still. Those that wish to keep such brightness and bring beliefs will follow in our trail. I can think of clans and villages and families more than ten hands worth, that would do so, coming from our older lands. There will be far more than that, in time, who seek peace to find their Way.'

The Sachem looked to Eric; 'They will come like you?' And Eric gave reply: 'They will hear the Law I see, and agree to it because it is a better Way. Those that hold to this Law will be judged by All and rulings duly made. They agree to that when they leave, or face fight when they come. And those rulers already have fights enough, to not seek another one.' Then Olaf said: 'What we make here, will guide us further and how to be with you.'

Harald who had looked at the rock then asked the boys of it: 'Where did you find this rock and how to come by it?' One boy looked to another and the second he did say: 'It is where meadow and stream meet, on meadow bank just dropped out.' Harald puzzled and ask: 'Not in bog? For that tis where its found.' The first boy spoke: 'Oh no, bogs are much further away, this is bog meadow.'

Harald put hand to chin: 'Bog meadow? Is it big?' The boys nodded and Sachem Running Wolf spoke: 'It is an hour or so to cross any way you go, the stream has had many bogs as it winds and goes.' Harald blinked once and again then looked to Olaf who did reach into his sack, pulling second rock out: 'Have you seen rock like that?'

Sachem Running Wolf nodded: 'Yes, it is on island nearby, easy enough to find.' Olaf and Harald looked one to the other, both men had done forge-work. Grandmother Dawn Sparrow spoke: 'What does this mean?' And then Eric smiled sweetly: 'You have just given them more than three lifetime's work, Grandmother Munin of your Clan. And more than that, I think.'

To those gathered: 'You have seen our tools and weapons, it is iron from bog rock. We use that stone for flux to make it pure quickly. If this proves out you have just shown us hard work for generations to come, for with trees and iron and good land here, you are talking more than Family or Clan. The word we use is Nation. For old lands stripped of good trees and iron takes time to forge, yet here abundance both for generations not yet born.'

Eric looked to Sachem then Harald then to Grandmother Dawn Sparrow and addressed her: 'As your people's memory let me ask you like this - if those who would learn to work with us to gain this knowledge were given leave to learn what we know, then that future will be built together by us both. This learning is both ways, so that we may learn of land and people and ways here, and together make something greater together and between us. From this new Law can be made, to safeguard all that is here, and put no one over it all but only chosen by assent for that is what we leave. That way forward will be hard, hard work for both, but I think far worse for you. But shared that burdened lessened and future built anew.'

The Sachem Running Wolf spoke, once more: 'That decision must go to greater Sachem for the Clan. But we can work with you until that decision is made, for that is in our hands. If he speaks against this, then I do not know the end. But I know we can grasp to friends, and hold on to such hands.' Eric then moved hand forward and the Sachem followed suit, then Harald and Olaf then Grandmother, soon the boys and parents and others who had listened joined. Eric said: 'That is Law between us then, friend with friend until other day arrive. We share knowledge and learn as best we can to make this future new.'

Thus began the winter of the trudging through snow, until trails were made, and boys and girls searching and sailing and mending ships and nets and sails and first trees to be felled for later years and more ships built as hands did work together. And that promised hard work was seen by winters end and new forge built to smelt the iron. Meadowforge was built, the largest of its kind, and in five years these two People set as they joined together, for the Great Sachem would see the wisdom of hard work and building to safeguard against the tide. And those that learned there spread knowledge, but only under Law. For these lands aren't peaceable between Peoples and Peoples, and as things would grow and go on, the days of struggle would arrive.

Come that spring saw renewed and first of gathering for the Thing, to be done early as much needs done to settle well and truly in. And so the Captain said to all: 'The voyage it is done. Now Law Speaker is needed so that law can work its way. Thanks to one and all for this great voyage is like none other. Now time has come to choose way forward and I step aside for the choosing to go on.' With that Eric walked from those who were the community and over to his nets, and continued mending that was left.

All that lived there now discussed, and argued some between them. They looked at those interested from the Clan who stood by to listen and think upon the Thing. For that winter saw some few that had languages of both, and so did go on that choosing so that rights and wrongs be worked out. While one or two put forth different names, those ones did say 'no'. Finally the assembled people came together as one, and sent message to Eric. For he of Three Lands had the view, such as only One-Eye could see, and future from such past be done, for all to move and be.

Eric heard and shook his head, but knew his voyage over. Still one could Law Give and travel far, but needs still kept one near. He walked slowly back and stood before those people. He looked and looked, from one to one and at those that watched from Clan. He closed his eyes and sighed and knew that weight upon him. From simple wish comes hard life, and he accepted that so that he could then speak forth.

'Today is first day of this new home, though it took time to settle in. Now we must secure ourselves for future true unknown. We have worked hard with Wampanoag and heard their wisdom, too. From start of two boys fetching bog stone, the purpose came anew. Today Light Hawk and Trail Walker both help and organize, together with our kin they showed that way to us. While the great hammer to pound, bare iron is still beyond them, they wrought well and so we see work enough for all. Together walking melting snow over bog meadow stretching far, there is fair land to grow and live and move beyond mere scratching.'

'Then to island just off shore, and looking at flux stone. From simple tasks of gathering we can build new hearth and home. Some of us walk with these folks, and now we see through new eyes. We can change those things we know, to live and build. But we also have needs of many things, old lands and kings do have. So our first up is to send word back, directly over sea. And this time it be fast, as no dallying will take place. Markers left on Vinland to show the way to go.'

'Olaf and Asqe plus 10 more they choose, will take long and trading ship. Those are the most seaworthy now, while we continue to repair the others. Back to former home, for first supplies and longboat sent back with them. Olaf will take my meager horde and press on to Danelands home. There first gift to be sent and one to each Viking King: a bear shirt and raven dried in cloth. The simple message of no King over us, nor ever shall will come through from that simple gift.'

'For those of us here, we will go on trading paths with those that help us out. I needs go and see their leader, and ease problems caused with their Great Sachem, and offer what meager things we have. Harald will stay then, to keep things going, and all problems set aside till my return. Already trees to clear and let sit for drying so that we may build more anew, and locating what is good to grow, beyond what we brought, so that food will be enough. This is no time to slack nor think of Viking forth.'

'And for that let me say, that Asqe has shown true Viking heart. He has lived while others died, and helped us greatly much. I say that man is Viking now and all to treat him same, and his people too. Let none say 'nay' to spirit when it is obvious, and stout heart and body true. When he goes back with Olaf, it is to his People to tell his tales and have welcome ever he return.'

'For the rest we know our work for fishing, trapping, hunting, gathering, planting, tending and repairing. It will be from barest light at start and end of day that we will work so that permanent home be made. A place here at this bay and one by the Meadowforge good trail laid out and cleared. And real meeting hall, though not this year, as the trees they need to season. Now let me hear complaints so that I may try to reason...'

Thus ends the First Winter Tale of the Free Land.