Military Develops 'Spaceplane' to Fly Marines to Trouble Spots Fast

FOXNews.com - Military Develops 'Spaceplane' to Fly Marines to Trouble Spots Fast - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News: "The American military is planning a “spaceplane” designed to fly a crack squad of heavily armed marines to trouble spots anywhere in the world within four hours.

At a recent secret meeting at the Pentagon, engineers working on the craft, codenamed Hot Eagle, were told to draw up blueprints for a prototype which generals want to have in the air within 11 years.

Pentagon planners have been encouraged by technical breakthroughs from Burt Rutan, chief designer on Sir Richard Branson’s White Knight spaceship, which is due to begin test flights next year and to carry tourists on suborbital journeys from 2010.

Last week Rutan, 65, who built the first privately funded craft to reach space and won the $10 million X prize for his achievement in 2004, gave his blessing to Hot Eagle, which could be based on White Knight’s technology.

Rutan said it would be an expensive way to transport troops “but it could be done. It is feasible.”

Will Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic, which is funding White Knight, recently predicted that it could be used to airlift emergency supplies into disaster zones."

Somalia: Private pirate fighters? Blackwater says it's ready

EagleSpeak: Somalia: Private pirate fighters? Blackwater says it's ready: "Somalia: Private pirate fighters? Blackwater says it's ready

Reported as Blackwater offering to protect ships from pirates near Somalia:

'We have the capability to assist' shipping companies, said Bill Mathews, Blackwater executive vice president. He and other company leaders are former Navy SEALs. Ship security 'is kind of what we did for a living' before joining Blackwater, he said.

Blackwater is offering the MV MacArthur, a 183-foot vessel with a crew of 14 and a helicopter pad, as an escort for ships through the Gulf of Aden. The helicopters and MacArthur won't be armed, although workers will carry guns, Mathews said.

The company will need a State Department license to sell its services to a foreign government or business, said Anne Tyrrell, a Blackwater spokeswoman."

A Vote For Obama is a Vote For Civility

A Vote For Obama is a Vote For Civility


A Special Guest Commentary for Undecided Voters
by Those Two Smirking Hipster Assholes in 'Sarah Palin is a C---' t shirts



Hi undecided voters! Yes, we know what you're probably thinking: "hey, it's those two smirking hipster assholes in the 'Sarah Palin Is a C---' t shirts." We also realize that you probably find our brand of narcissistic street theater loathsome and tedious. In fact, we're pretty sure that after eight years of putting up with our shit, you're just about fed up with the screeching tantrums, and inane Bush-is-Hitler art installations, and incessant firehose of profane hate-vomit. Who wouldn't? No rational human being could be blamed for wanting us to just shut the fuck up, finish our bottled water, and go away. Luckily, there's an easy way you can make that happen: vote for Barack Obama.

Think about it. With Barack Obama in office, assholes like us will fade into a distant unpleasant memory. Don't get us wrong, we'll still be hanging around, probably as junior staffers in some federal arts agency. But you have our word on it -- we'll be practically invisible. No more C-word t shirts, no more intersection blockades, no more vandalism until the next election cycle. Nosirree, we'll be timid and well-behaved and quiet as church mice, working away on grant proposals. We think you will also be pleased to know that under Obama, negative news stories and the steady flow of shitty anti-American war movies will virtually disappear overnight.

We know what you're thinking -- "that sounds awesome, but what about the angry right wingers? Won't they suddenly start storming congressional hearings and vandalizing military recruiting stations? Won't they start producing Obama assassination fantasy plays at the local college?" Don't worry, as members of the incoming Administration, we will identify any potential troublemakers and prosecute them to the full extent of President Obama's new civility laws. And with the re-establishment of the Fairness Doctrine, you won't have to worry about accidentally tuning into right wing hate radio.

But it's a democracy, so by all means feel free to vote for McCain. But don't forget what we're capable of. Do you really think we'll give it a rest? Do you really think we've pegged our ugly-o-meter? Hey, friend-o, you ain't seen nothin' yet. With the kind of free time we've got, you'd be totally amazed at the kind of crap we can come up with. If you think the Bush stuff was disturbing, wait 'til you see our four year Palin Plan. It won't let up, because frankly, we enjoy this sort of thing. Dude, we get freakin' college credit for it. And it won't just be us -- it'll be the media, the blogs, Hollywood, that asshole at work who's always emailing you Bush monkey photoshops.

Do you really want that on your conscience? The choice is all up to you. Four more relentless 120-decibel years of us pelting Bristol and Trig with bags of feces -- or the sweet, intoxicating tranquility that awaits under an Obama Administration. We're sure you'll agree that a couple thou in new taxes is a small price for that kind of peace of mind. So remember when you go to the polls this November: a vote for Obama is a vote for civility.

And by the way, sorry for being such assholes. As the computer guys say: it's not a bug, it's a feature.

Idaho Mother Gets 10-Year Sentence After Boyfriend Impregnates 9-Year-Old Daughter

This pervert deserves to be chained to a mountain top and allowed to die slowly of exposure. Sick!

Is it a stereotype to ask if either adult in this story is a citizen? Can we deport these sick freaks?

FOXNews.com - Idaho Mother Gets 10-Year Sentence After Boyfriend Impregnates 9-Year-Old Daughter - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News: "An eastern Idaho woman whose boyfriend impregnated her 9-year-old daughter has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Isabel Chasarez, 27, must serve at least one year in prison before she is eligible for parole, 7th District Judge Brent Moss ordered Tuesday at the sentencing hearing.

Chasarez pleaded guilty in August to failing to provide proper prenatal care for her daughter.

Her 38-year-old boyfriend, Guadalupe Gutierrez-Juarez, pleaded guilty to rape in September. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28 and faces life in prison.

The girl became pregnant at age 9, sometime between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 2007, authorities say, and gave birth in April."

Back and gathering my thoughts

I have been swamped and travelling a lot, so here is my attempt to get caught up on some of what I have missed. Normally, I just click on an article and post it, but I want to get a lot of stuff in and try something new. I am even looking at transfering this blog to its own site. Anyone want to help?

http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/06/the-roots-of-the-mortgage-scandal/
How did the United States get to the stage where politicians decided it was necessary to scare the taxpayers into forking over $700 billion to purchase assets the private sector wouldn't touch? So far neither Democrats nor Republicans have shown interest in examining a major factor in the mortgage lending mess - federal government policies which, taken together with pressure from left-wing activist groups, eroded credit requirements to make mortgages available to people who could not possibly pay them back, including some who were illegally in the United States.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/04/AR2008100402109.html
"I don't understand why that would not be a viable option," he said.

Urbina is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday that will examine whether he has the power to order the release of at least five of the Uighurs. Their attorneys have filed court papers asking Urbina to also consider releasing 12 other Uighurs who remain in custody.

Sing for Change Obama (Updated)

A bunch of school kids singing about the One? I have seen this before! In North Korea, China, Soviet Union, ... I think you get the point.

The line between Liberals and Communists is getting thinner and thinner as the Liberals blatantly steal from the ideas of the great Communist leaders. When will the political indoctrination camps begin?

YouTube - Sing for Change Obama



















Pointed out by BG on Gateway Pundit

Peralta to be given Navy Cross posthumously

I think you deserved the Medal of Honor, Sergeant. Semper Fi. Rest in Peace.

Peralta to be given Navy Cross posthumously - Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times: "Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter will award the Navy Cross medal — the nation’s second-highest combat award for valor in combat — to Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who pulled an enemy grenade to his body before it exploded, the Marine Corps announced Wednesday.
Discussion: If Peralta's actions don't rate a Medal of Honor, what does?

Peralta, 25, died Nov. 15, 2004, while he and members of Alpha Company of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were in the second week of fighting in the Battle of Fallujah when he barged into a house with a rifle squad. They immediately came under fire from insurgents inside the house.

“Peralta was caught in a deadly crossfire between insurgents and his Marines, leaving him mortally wounded,” officials said in an announcement released by I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton. “After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building.” The grenade stopped near Peralta’s head, they said, and “without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Peralta succumbed to his wounds.”

Officials did not say when the Navy Cross would be presented to Peralta’s family. In making the announcement, they acknowledged that the fatal blow may have come from another Marine’s weapon.

“Following multiple and exhaustive reviews, the evidence supports the finding that Peralta was likely hit by ‘friendly fire,’” officials said in the statement. “This finding has no bearing on the decision to award the Navy Cross medal.”"

Feds Arrest 175 in Bust of Violent Mexican Drug Cartel

FOXNews.com - Feds Arrest 175 in Bust of Violent Mexican Drug Cartel - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News: "People were arrested in a dozen U.S. states as agents targeted the cartel's infrastructure, including transportation routes and distribution cells.

Through collaboration with Italian authorities, 10 people were also arrested in the Calabria region of Italy on charges related to drugs trafficked through New York.

The arrests announced Wednesday were part of a 15-month investigation that has resulted in 507 arrests and the seizure of about $60.1 million, 16,711 kilograms of cocaine, 1,039 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 pounds of heroin, 51,258 pounds of marijuana, 176 vehicles and 167 weapons."

Pakistan troop fire turns back U.S. helicopters

This sounds like the Taliban and other terrorist groups are trying to get the US and Pakistan to fight each other. I will pray that both sides have the sense not to do that. Especially the Pakistanis who are determined to protect the terrorists hiding amongst their tribes.

Pakistan troop fire turns back U.S. helicopters - Yahoo! News: "Firing by Pakistani troops forced two U.S. military helicopters to turn back to Afghanistan after they crossed into Pakistani territory early on Monday, Pakistani security officials said.

The incident took place near Angor Adda, a village in the tribal region of South Waziristan where U.S. commandos in helicopters raided a suspected al Qaeda and Taliban camp earlier this month.

'The U.S. choppers came into Pakistan by just 100 to 150 meters at Angor Adda. Even then our troops did not spare them, opened fire on them and they turned away,' said one security official.

The U.S. and Pakistani military both denied that account, but Angor Adda villagers and officials supported it."

U.S. Fades Away In Europe

With the US leaving Europe and the Europeans failing utterly to fill the military void, how hard will it be for the Soviets or Muslims to take over?

I will miss the great history and heritage of Europe.

Forces: U.S. Fades Away In Europe: "After spending over half a century years in Europe, the headquarters of the U.S. 7th Army headquarters is reorganizing as a deployable unit (meaning it can be ordered to another part of the world to supervise major military operations.) The 7th Army headquarters ceased to be very mobile as it commanded a growing force of European based U.S. combat units in the 1950s. But this force went from two corps and over six divisions (18 combat brigades) during the Cold War, to the current four brigades (which are also subject to duty in distant combat zones, like Iraq or Afghanistan). During the Cold War, there were over 300,000 U.S. troops in Western Europe, now it's about 40,000, and headed for 33,000 in five years. And if there's a crises somewhere else on the planet, there won't even be an army headquarters there to command what's left of American forces."

Two More Counterterror SEALs Die in Afghanistan

Rest in Peace. You are True Heroes. Semper Fi.

I'll see you soon and buy you a beer.

Counterterrorism Blog: Two More Counterterror SEALs Die in Afghanistan: "Two more Navy SEALs from an extraordinarily elite and supersecret counterterrorism unit have been killed in Afghanistan, following the death two weeks ago of a SEAL from the same clandestine unit.

Details were - not surprisingly - vague. There is no direct evidence they died fighting in the new CIA-led offensive against Al Qaeda and the Taliban along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. But their loss in Afghanistan is certainly significant and a real blow to their fellow operators in the Joint Special Operations Command, which includes the Army’s Delta Force.

The two SEALs were killed September 11 somewhere “in Afghanistan,” according to military press releases, and were part of the shadowy Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the elite counterterrorism force once known as SEAL Team 6. Typically, the military identifies which Afghan town, district, city or province where American troops perish. But for the third time since August 30, when Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Thomas Harris, a Bronze Star recipient, was reported killed after being swept away during a combat river crossing, the precise location of the latest “DEVGRU” combat casualties is unknown.

Killed last week were Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator John Wayne Marcum, 34, and Chief (select) Special Warfare Operator Jason Richard Freiwald, 30, the Navy said. Each man had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a highly decorated SEAL. Before Harris, no DEVGRU SEAL had fallen in Afghanistan since March 2002, according to a review of Operation Enduring Freedom deaths at iCasualties.org.

Marcum earned four Bronze Star medals with the combat “V” distinguishing device, as well as the Joint Service Commendation medal, four Combat Action ribbons and a chestful of other decorations in his career. The younger Freiwald had also earned a Bronze Star and Combat Action ribbon, the Navy said.

Sadly, both SEALs leave behind a wife and daughter. The Naval Special Warfare Foundation, which accepts donations, will likely provide support for each family."

2 Border Patrol agents lose appeal in shooting

Why can't these guys get justice? Shooting of drug smugglers should not only allowed and legal, but it should be encouraged!

Set these two free and shoot the drug smuggler who got them put away. This only shows that it might be better to shoot to kill than to wound. If the scum was dead, then he could not lie for the insane prosecutor.

2 Border Patrol agents lose appeal in shooting: "Two Border Patrol agents convicted of shooting a drug smuggler near El Paso and covering it up lost an appeal Thursday.

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans refused to reconsider the ruling a three-judge panel had issued in late July that affirmed most of the charges against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean.

The men shot Osvaldo Aldrete Davila of Mexico, hitting the unarmed smuggler in the buttocks after he abandoned a load of marijuana and ran across the border into Mexico.

The agents said they fired because they thought he had a gun in his hand, but were sent to prison for more than a decade after a jury determined there was a cover-up. Aldrete Davila was given immunity for transporting that load, but was sentenced last month to 114 months in prison over a separate drug load.

Opponents of unauthorized immigration have gotten behind the agents, but U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, who supervised the prosecution, said in a prepared statement, “Today's ruling validates what this office has said all along — this prosecution was about the rule of law, plain and simple.”"

At 9-11 Anniversary Tribute... Muslim Cleric Promises Next Massive Attack Will Be in Great Britain

I understand the principle of free speech very well, but why is this guy allowed to preach about murder? If he wants to preach about how Islam is full of hate, why not send him to a country that agrees with him? The Saudis or Syrians might enjoy this preacher, but in England, hate speech is still forbidden. Or I thought it was.

Gateway Pundit: At 9-11 Anniversary Tribute... Muslim Cleric Promises Next Massive Attack Will Be in Great Britain: "Comeback.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
At 9-11 Anniversary Tribute... Muslim Cleric Promises Next Massive Attack Will Be in Great Britain

A group of radical Muslims held a 9-11 Anniversary 'tribute' in London this week.
They promised that the next massive attack would be in Great Britain.
The 'tribute' was covered by the local media.

Radical Islamist Omar Bakri Mohammed, who rejoiced over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, promised this week that the next 9-11 will be in Great Britain."

Al-Qaeda Targets Lethal Disease Research Facility on NY Island

Scary. Despite the outcry from the Left and the Muslims that the CIA has held onto this terrorist for years, and not admitted it or paid out the bounty on her head, it is great to find her. Just think of all the stuff she must know about who helped her hide for all these years. Who trained her? Who takes care of her? We have a lot to learn.


Pajamas Media » Al-Qaeda Targets Lethal Disease Research Facility on NY Island: "Until her arrest in Afghanistan this summer, Aafia Siddiqui was the FBI’s most wanted woman in the world. Now the U.S.-educated, Pakistani mother of three is being held in New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center facing attempted murder charges.

Aafia Siddiqui holds biology and neuroscience degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) and Brandeis University. In 2003, she vanished from Pakistan and reappeared on July 17, 2008, outside the governor’s compound in Ghazni, Afghanistan. According to the FBI indictment against her, Siddiqui was carrying “various documents, various chemicals, and a computer thumb drive.”

Aafia Siddiqui is believed to be an al-Qaeda operative. Among the documents in her possession were handwritten notes referring to a “mass-casualty attack” listing locations commonly known to be targets: Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. But one target, Plum Island, remains virtually unknown to the American public. If Siddiqui really is an al-Qaeda operative, the consideration that this government facility (officially known as the Plum Island Animal Disease Research Center) is a target is unnerving.

Located approximately eight miles off the coast of Connecticut, the 840-acre research facility is home to the most virulent zoonotic diseases in the world. The lethal diseases stored and studied on Plum Island are transmitted to humans by animals. The only U.S. strains of foot-and-mouth disease (eradicated from American soil in 1929) are secured in freezers on Plum Island, as are strains of polio, hog cholera, and African Swine Fever. None of the animals on the island ever leave; those that come uninvited, like deer that sometimes swim there from the mainland, are shot."

ABC's Gibson grilled Palin hard, but it may backfire

Gov. Palin may have her faults, but it seems the biggest fault is that she is not full of hate for the common citizens in this wonderful country. She does not dispize people who work to make life easier for the wealthy. She loves America and what it stands for.

America, love it or leave it.

ABC's Gibson grilled Palin hard, but it may backfire - UPI.com: "There were no surprises, no knockout zingers, but also no bloopers Thursday night in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's first TV interview since becoming the Republican vice presidential nominee.

Charles Gibson of ABC News was out for blood and inherently applied a double-standard compared with the kid gloves George Stephanopoulos used on Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois on Sunday night.

Gibson was out to embarrass Palin and expose her presumed ignorance from the word go. By contrast, when Obama referred to his 'Muslim faith' on Sunday and did not correct himself, Stephanopoulos rushed in at once to help him and emphasize that the senator had really meant to say his Christian faith.

By contrast, Gibson tried to embarrass Palin by referring to her Christian faith in asking people to pray for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Palin countered by pointing out she was following the precedent set by Abraham Lincoln."

Latin America Heats Up: Is There a Policy?

A reason for the lack of policy for Latin America is that the US has been preoccupied with appeasing the Leftists who are taking over down there. We do not want to upset all their citizens who have fled up here for safety. Even though confronting their Communist governments would allow the refugees to return home and help to make things better. Time to send in the Marines. Kick some butt! If they do not want to work with us on be stable, then beat them until they are willing to concede the issue.

Counterterrorism Blog: Latin America Heats Up: Is There a Policy?: "The news that both Bolivia and Venezuela, whose presidents are staunch allies and friends, have chosen to expel the respective U.S. ambassadors is the most visible evidence of the frayed relations the United States now has with much of Latin America.

As my colleague Andrew Cochran wrote the United States then immediately took the step of designating the three most visible Venezuelan officials whose ties to the FARC were clearly established.

What is amazing is that, until this blow-up, U.S. officials in different departments of the government, have been minimizing the well-documented alliance, as well as other issues discussed below, that have made Latin America a far different place than it was five years ago.

Unfortunately, with the exception of Colombia policy, there has been virtually no policy toward Latin America, and the festering issues there have been left to fester."

Angry Dad Attacks Naked Boy in Daughter's Room With Metal Pipe

Take this to a jury and watch this guy get acquitted in near record time!

Sick teen jerk. Hero Dad!

FOXNews.com - Angry Dad Attacks Naked Boy in Daughter's Room With Metal Pipe - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "An angry Deltona father whacked his teenage daughter's boyfriend with a metal pipe after finding the boy naked in his daughter's room.

Authorities say the father, 45, didn't even know his daughter had a boyfriend or that the youngster had been sneaking into the home for more than a year.

When he heard noises coming from his daughter's bedroom Thursday morning and saw a stranger standing naked on the girl's bed, he swung a metal pipe. He then chased the teen out the front door and called police.

The boy was taken to the hospital where doctors closed a head wound with staples.

The father was charged with aggravated battery on a child and bonded out on $10,000."

Bush Lauded by Nat'l Organization of Community Organizers

Bush praised? Is this real?

Groupthink :: View topic - Bush Lauded by Nat'l Organization of Community Organizers: "Bush Lauded by Nat'l Organization of Community Organizers
By Komissar Blogunov
9/9/2008, 1:45 pm

Yesterday the National Organization of Community Organizers bestowed its most prestigious award on George W Bush for outstanding work in the organization of communities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It's truly an honor to receive such a covetized award," the president said in a few brief remarks at the ceremony honoring his achievement, "but we cannot forget that this was made possible only through the work and dedication of our excellent military personnel." Progressives everywhere were on their feet, chanting Progress! Progress!, applauding, cheering, and waving American flags.
~

Wiping away tears, NOW president Kim Gandy said between sniffles, "When I think of what Bush has done in liberating women from the oppression of Sharia law, and how he has with the aid of our brave men in uniform opened up new worlds of opportunity for the women of Afghanistan, well, I just can't express in words how proud I am."

"Everybody knew Saddam Hussein was a murdering tyrant and a threat to world peace," said Massachusetts senator John Kerry while fellow senators Durbin, Reid, and Biden nodded emphatically in the background, "and I know I speak for my fellow senators when I say I applaud our president and our military for having the courage to stand up to Saddam and take him down. The world is definitely a safer place."

"He gets all the credit as far as I'm concerned," said former Weatherman William Ayers in a phone interview. "You know, he opened my mind to a new concept - the idea of using force to protect the innocent and to liberate the truly oppressed, as opposed to using force against the innocent and those who risk their lives to protect them. Really, it's time I started to give back to this country that has been so good to me. Brilliant, just brilliant!"

"He's the man!" exclaimed presidential hopeful Barack Obama, "the surge succeeded just like everybody knew it would. If you want to know what greatness looks like, look no farther than George W Bush. He is the king of community organizers, and only in my most audacious dreams could I hope to achieve half the good he has done."

"God bless America! It's in the Bible! God bless America!" shouted pastor Jeremiah Wright who later said he was carried away in his enthusiasm when he saw Bush receive the award from NOCO. "America is a force for good in this world. Who overthrew Saddam Hussein and the Taliban? America and George W Bush did! Who set up the provisional government in Iraq, gave the people the chance to vote on their own constitution, and oversaw the successful establishment of a new government over there? America and George W Bush did!" Reverend Wright then led the audience in a rousing rendition of God Bless America.

"Y'know, this is one of the best days of my presidency," said President Bush. "Laura and I are gonna treasure this memory, and this award will have a special place over our mantelpiece at Crawford." When asked what his plans were after stepping down from power in January, Bush said, "Me and the family're gonna get together with Cindy Sheehan who's moved into our neighborhood and invited all of us to a barbeque. After that, we'll just have to wait and see. I hear my old friend Vladimir Putin and Jimmy Carter gotta Habitat for Humanity project going on in Tbilisi, and they just might need a little organizing over there." "

Mayor says firefighters deserve less pay because they can 'sleep'

Idiots exist all over, and this is proof! I know where the city can save some money...

The Neshoba Democrat | Mayor says firefighters deserve less pay because they can 'sleep': "'If you give the police department $2,000, the fire department should get it,' she said.

When Waddell said that on-duty firefighters could sleep from 9 o'clock to 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning if they didn't get called out and still get paid, Jackson fired back that police officers 'ride around during that time and burn gas.'"

Pakistan could end cooperation in war on terror

Pakistani cooperation in the War on Terror has always been lukewarm as best. Now that the 'diplomatically inclined' Muslims have taken over from the military dictator, it seems inevitable that the thugs will step in and take over.

Once again, I wonder what to do with the Pakistani nukes. They scare me. I am sure that India and China are pretty scared too. What can we do?

Pakistan could end cooperation in war on terror - Yahoo! News: "The furor intensified Friday over Washington's decision to pursue Islamic militant targets inside Pakistan, with opposition lawmakers threatening the country could pull out of the war on terror if the U.S. refuses to respect its borders.

About 100 protesters burned American flags after the latest missile attack left at least 12 people dead in the North Waziristan region of the troubled northwest. Residents said they heard the sound of propeller-driven U.S. Predator drones circling overhead before the explosions.

President Bush secretly approved more aggressive cross-border operations in July, current and former American officials have told The Associated Press.

Since Aug. 13, there have been at least seven reported missile strikes as well as a raid by helicopter-borne U.S. commandos that Pakistani officials claim killed 15 civilians in tribally governed territory where the government has little control. The frontier region is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri."