American intelligence agencies had indications three days beforehand that the Syrian regime was poised to launch a lethal chemical attack that killed more than a thousand people and has set the stage for a possible U.S. military strike on Syria.
"If you knew, why did you take no action?" Dlshad Othman, Syrian activist
The disclosure -- part of a larger U.S. intelligence briefing on Syria's chemical attacks -- raises all sorts of uncomfortable questions for the American government. First and foremost: What, if anything, did it do to notify the Syrian opposition of the pending attack?
In a call with reporters Friday afternoon, senior administration officials did not address whether this information was shared with rebel groups in advance of the attack. A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the information had been shared.
But at least some members of the Syrian opposition are already lashing out at the U.S. government for not acting ahead of time to prevent the worst chemical attack in a quarter-century.
Carnage erupted at the start of the Grand Prix of Baltimore with a huge track blocking crash bringing out the red flag.
The problems started at the front when the Dyson Racing entry appeared to get a better start than the pole sitting Muscle Milk car alongside.
The P2 HPD of Scott Tucker checked up to avoid running into the the pole car but was hit from behind by the ESM entry of Anthony Lazzaro.
Things started to get ugly from there. The CORE Porsche slammed into Tucker’s spun car and in a bad day for the German brand – both other 911s also got caught up in the mess.
The Risi Ferrari and No.93 Viper were also left with nowhere to go.
MOSCOW – Russia dramatically escalated its denunciations of American threats to attack Syrian military targets on Saturday, with President Vladimir Putin saying it would have been “utter nonsense” for the Syrian government to use chemical weapons as the Obama administration alleges.
“Russia is urging you to think twice before making a decision on an operation in Syria” - Vladimir Putin
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued before President Obama said he would seek congressional authorization before ordering strikes on Syria, said a U.S. attack would be a “gross violation” of international law.
Speaking out for the first time since an apparent chemical weapons attack near Damascus on Aug. 21, Putin called on President Obama to find a nonviolent way out of the crisis.
“I would like to address Obama as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate: Before using force in Syria, it would be good to think about future casualties,” Putin told Russian news agencies in Vladivostok during a tour of the country’s flood-stricken Far East.
“Russia is urging you to think twice before making a decision on an operation in Syria,” he said.
The White House argued Friday that intelligence shows more than 1,400 people died from exposure to chemical weapons in an attack carried out by the Syrian military.
Putin said he was sure the attack was the work of rebels trying to provoke international — and especially American — involvement in the Syrian conflict. The government of Bashar al-Assad, he said, would have had no reason to use chemical weapons at a time when it had gained the upper hand in the fighting.
By Adam Wagner StarNews Online
A Leland [North Carolina] Police Department officer was suspended for 28 days without pay after arresting a teenager who was video-recording another arrest.
"(Citizens) can't interfere with what (police) have going on. You may ask them to step back a certain distance from a scene, but you can't prevent videoing or taking pictures," David Hollis, Leland town manager.
Sgt. John Keel arrested Gabriel Self, 19, on Aug. 18 while Self filmed him questioning a suspect outside the Buy & Go gas station, 9413 Ploof Road S.E.
Self's arrest spurred Leland Police Chief Mike James to conduct a department-wide workshop about its recording policy to avoid future incidents. Keel will receive additional training.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Police say a northwest Ohio man hit a gas station clerk in the head with a Bible numerous times forcing the employee back into the store and then demanded cash.
Abbott Griffin, of Toledo, is behind bars for allegedly using his Bible as a weapon to rob a gas station Wednesday.
A man was shot in the back last night, on the middle section of the 1700 block of Ruxton Ave.
Baltimore Police tweeted the incident was dispatched at 11:12 p.m.
Less than a block away, a man was killed Thursday night on the 1800 block, when he and another man was shot. The same block was the scene of a homicide March 17.
The condition of the man shot last night was not disclosed.
UPDATE: Was a double shooting. One victim deceased. Per Justin Fenton, victim ID'd as Delmonte Thomas, age 20.
With three fourths of the day gone, Thursday nearly ended without a single in shooting in Baltimore. But three separate shootings kept Baltimore on pace for 2013 being a particularly violent year in the city.
First there was the man police say was shot around 9:45 p.m.on the 5900 block of Moravia Rd. in Northeast Baltimore. No information was given on his condition. Police gave no information on suspects or motives in this case.
A short time later, a man was shot in the chest, on the 1800 block of Ruxton Ave., at 10:20 p.m. Homicide detectives were requested to the scene, but police have not stated whether the victim succombed to his wounds, or if he survived.
The location is just blocks away from Coppin University in West Baltimore.
The Baltimore Spectator was on scene, feet-on-the-street, at Ruxton Ave. a short time after the shooting Thursday night. While there, a "walk-in" shooting at a hospital emergency room was overheard on the police radio. The Baltimore Spectator posted this information on twitter. An hour later, Baltimore Police tweeted the incident, confirming what was initially overheard.
Just in, a walk in shooting victim at Sinai hospital. Overheard on police radio at the scene.
— Baltimore Spectator (@BaltoSpectator) August 30, 2013
Shooting: Adult male shot walks into a local hospital. Dispatched 11:38pm. Detectives Investigating.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) August 30, 2013
No further information was given on this shootingl.
The incidents come on the eve of the third running of the controversial Baltimore Grand Prix. The event hopes to attract visitors to the city. However, preliminary reports show large vacancies in area hotels. Sources say ticket sales -- for the car race held on city streets -- have been very low.
Although rarely cited, Baltimore's ongoing violence may play a role in reduced tourism and visitors to the city.
15 year old Deshaun Jones was killed Saturday in West Baltimore, when someone opened fire on a group of people sitting outside on the 1500 block of W. Fayette St. Police say an illegal dice game was taking place, however, according to witnesses, Jones was not part of the game.
Same location saw triple shooting homicide earlier this year
By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L. Agitator-In-Chief @BaltoSpectator
Police were dispatched to the 2200 block of N. Fulton Ave. on Tuesday evening, around 5:12 p.m, for a report of a man shot.
According to a Baltimore Police twitter post, an adult male was shot in the upper torso at the location. Little more is known about the incident, including the condition of the victim, and whether there are any suspects or a motive.
Although there were no reporters at the scene Tuesday, in March there was a triple shooting that left two women and a man deadon the very same block. That incident was widely reported, but apparently more violence in the same location did not warrant digging deeper.
Listen to an audio update, recorded live from the scene.
Justin Fenton The Baltimore Sun
A spate of violence in the city continued with a daylight shooting that left three people dead inside a West Baltimore apartment, as members of the City Council on Tuesday pressed police commanders to address a rise in killings and robberies.
"Though we're having a spike in homicides, our organization is working better, faster and smoother, and you can see it in the overall stats..." - Commissioner Batts
The Fulton Avenue shootings took the life of two women and a man, the latest in an explosion of violence in West Baltimore, which has already seen 15 murders this year, half of its total for all of 2012. Ten of those killings have occurred in just a 12-block stretch southwest of Druid Hill Park and near Mondawmin Mall.
Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said he believed police had been successful at stamping out gang-related crime that troubled the city last fall, when the city surpassed its 2011 murder rate. He spoke at a City Hall hearing called earlier this year as the rate continued to rise, and pointed to crime statistics showing that total crime is down 8 percent so far in 2013.
15 year old aspiring Baltimore rapper, Deshaun Jones, seen here in a music video, center, with a pistol in his hand, was killed Saturday when he was shot along with 6 other people in West Baltimore.
UPDATED: 25 AUGUST 2013: 15 year old victim identified as Deshaun Jones
By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L. Agitator-In-Chief @BaltoSpectator
Seven people were shot Saturday night on the 1500 block of W. Fayette St. A teenage boy, age 15, was fatally wounded when someone, or possibly more than one person, opened fire on people engaged in what police called an "illegal dice game."
Initial reports saw fluctuating victim counts. Police states the reason for this is because three victims were transported to area hospitals via Baltimore Fire Department medic units, while four others shot in the same incident were later discovered as "walk-in" patients in emergency rooms.
Baltimore police said they had few details and were not certain of a description of the shooter(s), or whether there was more than one person shooting.
Although not yet confirmed, the shooting seems to have the most victims of a single shooting in the city since 2009. That year 12 people were shot in a backyard cookout in E. Baltimore, including a pregnant woman and a two year old baby. A total of 17 people would be shot that same night.
Police look for clues after seven people shot on 1500 block of W. Fayette Ave.
@MolotovFlicker The Baltimore Spectator
Saturday was the second Saturday in a row seeing a multi-victim shooting, including one where a juvenile was shot last weekend.
That weekend there were several multiple shootings, including one in East Baltimore. A three year old was shot as adults tried to shield him with their bodies.
Saturdays shooting incident took place at the same time a large contingent of police, including the #FoxTrot helicopter, converged on a block party on E. 28th St. near Greenmount Ave., in the Barclay neighborhood. Police said an extremely large crowd had swarmed the location and although no violence took place, they wanted to disperse the crowd as a precautionary measure.
Article is an early draft version, composed & posted via cellphone. Check back for edits and updates including links and pictures, plus more information.
Republishing this from my personal blog, originally posted July of 2009. Looking back, there's been so many vicious, savage attacks. But what has happened? I'm still here, many of my attackers and critics are now nowhere.
Governments continue only if they are fair. –Proverbs 16:12 (NCV)
By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L. Agitator-In-Chief @BaltoSpectator In a little while I will be headed back down to the courthouse for another round. Regular readers may have noticed my writing output has significantly decreased. For those close to me, this should come as no surprise. The tremendous weight and pressure that I've felt on my shoulders has been a great strain.
They've tried everything possible to drag me under, surely they must wonder how I’m still standing.
As much as my enemies wish to take me down, their efforts have not succeeded. Yes they've kicked me, yes they've knocked me down, but I continue to get up, and to their dismay, I am still around.
It is my hope to someday soon get back on track and return to a level of productivity that I could be pleased with. As a writer, I have suffered withdrawals from lack of output. The photographer and videographer in me yearns to capture the images all around. The inquisitive investigator that I am has so many questions I intend to ask. As tough as the situation is right now, I know that even this too will pass.
Early this morning while out for a walk. I couldn't help but reflect on the trials I've been through recently, and the anticipated challenges just ahead. Looking forward, I am not afraid facing the future. Seeking strength as I do often from the Holy Scriptures, this morning I was led to passages that were particularly encouraging, and perhaps even prophetic. I've been summoned yet again and my presence is desired to grace the halls of justice so I will not be around today. That means no updates, no new stories, no rants for a while. As I head back down to the court for yet another full day of questioning, interrogation and examination, I leave you with this;
People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true. You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons. Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord makes everything go as he pleases. He even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. He's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media. ----------------------------------------------------------------
