What Do We Really Know About The Islamic State?

OK, let me get this house cleaning out of the way before I proceed with the topic.
There are numerous definitions of what is currently referred to by the current conquerors as The Islamic State. So here are the two other more prominently used ones. First is the one preferred by the Dear Leader, President Obama, and the state department and that is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL. Then there is the one that much of the media uses and that is Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (which information on this is available at the link above) or ISIS.
For me, they refer to themselves as the Islamic State and that is what I will refer to them as. It is not meant to grant them legitimacy as much as to not get into any contest about names and the like.
The fundamental question of this post is germane and that is what do we know about the Islamic State?
Lets start with the numbers of men under arms for this wannabe nation.
Supposedly low estimates are about 10,000 to 15,000. In the link above it suggests that as many as 80,000 to 100,000 are under allegiance to the Islamic State.
Now look at the map below.

The red-colored areas are under control of the Islamic State. Most of the land is in Iraq, but the Islamic State began in Syria as a direct result of the civil war and divisions among the opponents of the Syrian dictator, Basaar al-Assad. Once they separated they supposedly had about 4,000 men under their black banner of death. What was once known as ISIS, then ISIL began an invasion of Iraq in June and the Iraqi army in the north fled like chickens with their heads cut off. Supposedly at the point of invasion, the forerunner to the Islamic State only had about 2,000 to 3,000 members.
Really?! An army that at the most only had 3,000 members chased an American-trained army away with little if any resistance? Very doubtful.
The fact that few people agree on the numbers of those under arms in the Islamic State is one of the reasons that we have no real clue in how to deal with these degenerates. One of the reasons that I find the higher figure to be more accurate is the willingness to throw men into battle so freely. Even if one counts religious fervor, there is no way a supposed rag-tag army could have seized so much land so quickly.
So, what is life like under the Islamic State?
Compared to Western life, it is clearly stifling and downright scary.
There is a five-part series on the news website Vice in which they have unprecedented access to life in the Islamic State. Here are links to all five episodes. I find this to be compelling that life in the Islamic State is wonderful if one is a Wahhabi-Sunni Islamic fanatic and male. Everyone else, eh not so much. Watch all five episodes and you will notice something mostly missing. Women. Women are treated not only like property but barely above how one would treat an animal. And male children are being very quickly indoctrinated into the bizarre world of Wahhabi-Sunni Islamic fanaticism.
One thing is very clear is that the Islamic State is a certifiable death cult. There is no doubt about it.
For instance, here are a couple of photos of what they do with captured Iraqi soldiers. This is not for the weak hearted.

 Yes, you are seeing correctly. Islamic State soldiers forcing captured Iraqi soldiers to lie face down in their graves as mostly masked executioners open fire and summarily murder them. No sir, these dudes are not real clued in on the Geneva Convention and the proper way to treat prisoners of war. Nah, why should they? They are infidels and they do not need to be treated as human beings. Animals are put down more humane than what these vermin do.
Pretty gross, wouldn't you say?
But no, my friends. The above is nothing.
Below is some of the Islamic State's real gruesome handiwork. Videotape beheading. I will not show any video but two photos will suffice.

Above is a sword and or a machete being placed on the throat of a victim.

And voila! Off with his head!
I will not show how far gone these degenerates are but these beheadings are not limited to men or soldiers of Iraq or Syria. Men, women and children have been beheaded. The most savageness usually is saved for Christians or other infidels such as the Yazidi. And for good measure, many heads are stuck on pikes or paraded around by children.
And leave it to these guys to bring back an oldie but a goo die.
Crucifixion.
Yes, these vermin are really low. But there is a somewhat decent side to these folks. Most of the crucifixions are done after people are killed. But every now and then, one just gets nailed to a cross and left to die.
As I said, these fanatics are a roving cult of death. And they are teaching a potential whole generation of youth the way of the sword.
So, life in the Islamic State is harsh and very primitive. The only things modern these cretins like are their guns, pickup trucks and video cameras to show the world their handiwork.
But its what we are not being told that should be worrisome.
To this writing, we still do not have a real number of the force that we, the United States, could be dealing with. It can be as low as 10,000 (doubtful) to as much as 100,000 (more probable). We do not really know all the weapons seized in their march through Iraq. If you watch part one of the Vice report from the Islamic State, they paraded at least a large missile, tanks and armored personnel carriers.
And here is something to make you sleep well tonight.
Islamic State forces seized the al-Taqba air base on August 24 and yes, they captured Syrian fighter planes. And today, they showed off their conquered prize: fighter planes.
Now we have been assured that the Islamic State forces are not all that big. That is proving false. We are being assured that they are spread thin and can't keep control of all they have. Again, this is false as they continue to, if nothing else, tighten their grip on what they do control and seem to be fighting hard to gain more land and people. And we are being assured that while they may have these fighter planes, they probably can't fly them. I don't think that is reassuring. Does anyone really think that they do not have at least some men in their ranks that have the capability to fly fighter planes? I am sure that among 10,000 to 100,000 men, at least one can fly a fighter plane. And if one can, surely more can as well.
Keep this in mind.
Tomorrow is the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania and Washington, D. C.
Does the Islamic State have a special surprise for the United States?
And back to the original question.
With all that we have been wrong about the Islamic State, what do we really know about the Islamic State?

9/11/01 Twelve Years Later

It is hard to believe that it has been 12 years since Islamofacist Terrorists took four passenger jets and committed the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
But it has been 12 years.
Nearly 3,000 people died when two jets hit both World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon on that fateful morning. And if it was not for the knowledge and thinking of some passengers, another plane, United Airlines flight 93 may have done the carnage and damage that it was suppose to do. But those passengers fought their hijackers and the caused the plane to crash in an open field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all on board. Yet their heroism no doubt saved more lives.
But I want to reflect on what was going on in my life that day. I probably have done this before, but so what? Maybe what I can remember now is different from past remembrances.
It was not really an average morning in the RVFTLC household.
Mrs. RVFTLC and our son were up very early that day. It was an exciting day. For on that day, our son was going to Los Angeles International Airport to fly on his way to Paris, France and a semester of study abroad. It was the beginning of his long time dream to go to France.
Yeah, I know that regular readers will note I am not a big fan of France. Well, put that aside for it was his dream and I was all for it.
I told them to make sure to wake me up even though they left about 5am for the airport. Even then one had to get to the airport early for an international flight. I was awakened and said good bye.
After getting a little more sleep, I awakened and was getting ready for work.
Oh, I was excited because our then cable system had finally got the Fox News Channel and I was trying to at least listen. I remember that they were talking about a plane that crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. It seemed that it was an accident at first. After all, who in their right mind would intentionally fly a plane into a building, right? At the time I started to watch, the people reporting did not even know that it was a passenger jet that flew into the first tower.
I continued watching and then it happened.
The second plane flew into the south tower.
It was not an accident.
At this point I was both watching on television and listening to Hugh Hewitt on the radio. He had just started his talk show not long before that and at that time was on the air from 6-9am. It became more clear that there was something seriously wrong going on.
And then, it happened again.
There were reports that the Pentagon had been attacked. And as it turned out, it was not attacked but a passenger jet flew into the heart of the defense establishment of the United States.
I kept thinking to myself, what would be next.
And what was going on with Mrs. RVFTLC and our son.
I continued to get ready and eventually head off to work.
When I got to work, we did have a television set in the office. And then we turned it on to see more of what was going on.
And it was awful.
First the north tower came crashing down. Then the south tower finally buckled and fell. The people on television were talking about how many thousands of people would be dead.
And I kept wondering about my wife and our son.
This was before everyone could and had a cell phone. So I kept calling and calling home. No answer.
In between the reporters were talking about all passenger flights being grounded around the United States. I did not know if our son was on one of those flights. Many ended up landing not in the United States but in Canada. I knew that he was going to Charlotte, North Carolina and changing planes there for the rest of his journey to Paris. Had he already arrived there? Or is he someplace else? Had he already caught his connecting flight and now in Canada? So many thoughts were racing through my mind. And trying to work at the same time.
Eventually I was finally able to speak with my wife. It seemed like an eternity yet it was about 10am when we finally connected.
Our son never made it on the airplane.
It was a chaotic scene my wife reported. That they were basically told to get in whatever form of transportation they could and get out of the airport perimeter. And that while they were doing just that, a crazy idiot phoned in a bomb threat. Nothing says disaster better than a glory hog trying to pile on to the terror, right? I was so glad that he never left but realized that his dream could be something that would not happen.
While I was totally relieved that all seemed to work out on that, The work day just got worse. I was yelled at by a customer and finally I had to tell him maybe he did not realize that the United States was attacked and that no one seemed to have a handle on what was really going on. Well, not only did that not set well with the customer but made him even madder. Eventually I just had to hang up on him.
At that place of employment, our home office was in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, just over the Hudson River from New York City. Eventually around 1pm we were told to go home for the day. And ironically I had an appointment for a cat-scan as I was preparing to have a tonsillectomy and a small nose job. Before all this, my wife had the day off from work and had offered to take me. I met her at home and we drove the local hospital so I could have the test done. Of course our son was home and beyond disappointed and trying to find out what to do now. As we were driving, I broke down and cried. Cried for people that I did not know or would ever know. Cried because, yeah I was afraid. I just could not believe that what was happening did happen. It was scarier to me because it was a terrorist attack. And terrorists are trying to maximize their terror. Eventually I stopped crying, had my test and returned home.
There was little if any diversion at that point to the events of the day. And for a while, it appeared that rescuers, they were not first responders then, found someone alive. There was hope. And that hope eventually was dashed.
All planes were grounded in American airspace for the first time in history. And yet later in bed we both heard a plane. And were scared. I had the radio on quietly and there was an interruption to let us know that it was a fighter plane.
We all were beyond numb. The day was over and yet it was not for the next several days.
Eventually our son was able to get to Paris. It was about a week and a half later than planned, but better late than never getting there, right? I did have my operation later that year. Things did and always seem to get back to a normal.
But from that moment, when the first plane hit the first tower, things were not going to be the same. Normal would be different.
But it was a day that I will never, ever forget.

Can We Ask What Is Wrong With Paul Krugman?

So called brilliant economist Paul Krugman is paid to write for the Gray Old Lady, The New York Times.
Do you wonder why they pay him at all when you read crap like this.
Really, on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D. C.?
OK, he basically says what the left really believes.
That it is wrong for us to have used the armed forces of the United States to go after the terrorists and their allies.
But lets start with the commemorations being subdued.
What the hell do you want, Paul? Do you want a celebration? I mean, hey dude, lets party! Its the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks! I do not know any better reason to get tanked!
What a douche bag you are, Paul.
Of course it should be subdued and reverent. After all, nearly 3,000 were killed on that fateful Tuesday in September.
But then Paul accuses people of "cashing in" on the terrorist attacks. And accuses certain people of being "fake heroes" such as former police commissioner Bernard Kerik, former mayor Rudy Giuliani and former president George W. Bush.
Exactly what does he mean by "fake heroes"?
I do not believe that any of the named men claimed to be heroes. In fact, they all seemed rather not comfortable being thrust in the spotlight as they were. Really Paul, do you think that these guys were salivating at something like this to happen so that they could "cash in"?
Once again Paul, you are a douche bag.
There is another paragraph of insipidness, but the last line shows the coward that Paul Krugman is:

I’m not going to allow comments on this post, for obvious reasons.

So what, because you don't want to "cash in" by offending people on a day that should not be like it is? Or is it because you are but a chicken. BAK! BAK! BAK! BAK! BAK! BAK! BAK!
I'm going with chicken.
If you truly believe that what you wrote is something good, edifying and worthwhile, have the testicles to defend it.
Because it is not the conscience of a liberal.
It is the rantings of an unhinged, over-the-edge Bush-hater.
Look, there is room to have an honest discussion on whether or not some of the actions after the terrorist attacks were the right thing to do. But Paul, you do not want to have that kind of dialogue. You want to do what you accuse the conservative side of doing. You want to smear and, quite honestly, make up stuff as you go along.
It is why conservatives tend to tire of people like Paul Krugman.
Because on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he throws a bomb on a somber day.

9/11 Attacks Recap In Less Than 20 Minutes

Over at Glen Beck's news website, The Blaze, is a recap of the horrific events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
It is a cut-down version of the coverage from the Fox News Channel as events unfolded. It is about 17 minutes from the initial reports of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center in New York City. And of course ends with the second tower coming down.
It is hard to watch, but a necessary reminder of why this day is what it is for so many Americans.
Regrettably, too many Americans want to forget that day. And in many cases, I understand why. But some just do not like to deal in reality. Some get more excited about the upcoming reality show of the day, thinking that is real life.
But, this is real life. Thousands upon thousands of Americans were directly or indirectly affected by the terror attacks. And we do need to deal with them. And not just on anniversary's or milestones. But everyday. For this is a long war. A war that may not end a la World War II.
If there is noting else today, watch this to remember why 9/11 is not just another date on the calendar.

Remembering 9/11/01

As the tenth anniversary of the radical Islamofacsist terrorist attacks on the Untied States is here, it is important to remember where we were, what we were thinking and how this one event has changed our nation for ever.
My memory of 09/11/01 is that it was supposed to be a very exciting day in the RVFTLC abode.
Our son, at that point a junior in college, was to embark to France and participate in a semester study abroad program.
It was an early start for Mrs. RVFTLC and our son. They were up around 4am, out of the house by about 4:30am or 5am. Needless to say I had to go to work that day, I was not going with them for the big sendoff. But I did say goodbye.
I got up a little before 6am, let Scout the Wonder Dog out in the back yard and began the morning routine. I was shaving and listening to Hugh Hewitt. He was on in the AM back then. He was talking about some plane hitting the World Trade Center in New York City. At that point, it was about the one plane but then the second plane had hit. It was all surreal from that point on.
Since no one of us had a cell phone at that time (yeah, all resistant to modern technology!) I could not reach the missus and find out what was going on.
I continued to get ready for work and after showering, heard that the plane had hit the Pentagon in Washington, D. C.
If I was not certain up to that point, I sure as heck was that the United States was under attack.
I was getting very worried. I did not know if our son was on the plane yet. Whether or not it had taken off.
Then on the way to work I heard that all flights in the air were going to be diverted and United States airspace was being closed.
Now worry was beginning to become controlled panic.
I got to work and called home. No answer.
We were all watching the television that we brought from out lunchroom to the main office floor. Everything was happening so fast. There were unconfirmed reports of more attacks. And of course, there was me wondering if our son was somewhere over the air. If he was going to have to land somewhere out of the United States. Even the thought, however fleeting, that maybe something was going on his plane.
Then in the late morning, Mrs. RVFTLC called. Our son never got on the plane. Los Angeles International airport was evacuated. And there was a huge line of cars that were trying to get out. And all were being searched.
That fateful day, I had an appointment to get a CAT scan at my local hospital.
As it turned out, we were told to close up the office after 12noon and we all went home.
When I got home, I gave the biggest hug to everyone that I could.
It was that kind of day.
Mrs. RVFTLC took me to the appointment. On the way, I broke down. I just started crying. I could not believe what had happened. I just could not really think that a few men with nothing more than box cutters and knives could have taken over four jets and three of the four caused such destruction.
I took care of my test and we went home.
It was all surreal.
Even with all the television station on cable, not one did not have something about the attacks. There was no escaping what had happened. There was no levity. And maybe there was something on one of movie channels, but we were cheap and did not have any.
All we could do is sit and watch. And watch. And watch.
And we were sad for our son. He was the last of his group and it just seemed like he would never get to France.
The good news, what little there was, is that about a week and a half later, he went off to France.
But it was a new world. Mrs. RVFTLC was not all pleased he was taking the trip of a lifetime. But I assured her, I believe correctly, that France has had terrorist attacks before. If anything, he would be safer there than here. And he was.
That day was an amazing day. It brought to light the evil of radical Islam. The evil that is al-Qaeda. It showed that a primitive way of terror could reap more destruction than the most brilliant plans of military leaders all over the world.
It was the day that changed all of us, for better or worse, forever. It is a day I will never forget. And we should never ever forget that we are in a long war against radical Islamicfacsists. Not Islam. It is to us what the Cold War was to our parents and their generation.
God bless the United States of America.

Michael Boobberg Should Be Impeached As New York City Mayor

As the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack is less than 24 hours away, it is absofinglutely amazing that the mayor of New York City, Michael Boobberg* is defending a decision that essentially dilutes the meaning of what happened that fateful Tuesday morn 10 years ago.Mayor Boobberg has excluded members of the clergy, fire and police first responders from the ceremonies tomorrow at Ground Zero.
The reason is, as I write, absolfinglutely amazing.
According to Mayor Boobberg,

“We just don’t have room for them.”

Whiskey?! Tango?! Foxtrot?!
Do not have room for those who can comfort and heal a nation that is still at war against radical Islamofacsist terrorists? Do not have room for those that risked life and limb to save many that fateful day?
So, Mayor Boobberg, who do you have room for?
Will there be room for politicians, like Mayor Boobberg? How about the Dear Leader, President Obama? After all, the Dear Leader, President Obama, gave us his take on why the events of 9/11 happened. Too bad that the 19 participants were all highly educated men. But you bet he will be there.
The justification that Mayor Boobberg regarding the clergy is that there is a separation of church and state in the constitution. Unfortunately, there is a differnce between a letter written by then President Thomas Jefferson to a group of Baptists and what is actually in the constitution. The relevant first amendment is this:

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

So, Mayor Boobberg is wrong on this point. If he wanted a way of guidance, he could have looked at the National Prayer Service held in Washington, D. C. at the National Cathedral on Friday, September 14, 2001. There were representatives from Protestant Christianity, Roman Catholics, Jewish, Islamic, and I believe even non-monotheistic religious representation.
I guess had Mayor Boobberg been president then-God forbid-there would have not been such an event.
But why is there not representation of the first responders?
Again, Mayor Boobberg does address the fact that the families of the victims, many first responders, will be at the ceremonies.
But why not a stronger presence?
Again, no room at the inn would be His Honor's response.
It is not a good enough reason.
Make the room. Find a way. After all, this is the United States and the greatest city in the United States, New York City. You really mean to tell me that they can not have a few clergy and first responder survivors at a ceremony on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks?
Of course not.
But this is par for the course and an attempt to whitewash what happened that day in September, 2001.
The United States was attacked by radical Islamofacsist terrorists in the worst attack on it's soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. No, check that. Hawai'i was not even a state then. The worst attack by a foreign entity since the War of 1812.
There is no way to whitewash that and there should not be any whitewashing of the event.
People like Mayor Boobberg and his ilk are the problem. They do not want to deal with reality.
And their reality is kind of weird. That uniting all people from different faiths is bad. That you can't find some place for those that risked their lives and lived to tell about it.
No, I do not know why Mayor Boobberg is not impeached as mayor. He has been a terrible mayor and indeed undoing a lot of what Rudy Giuliani did as mayor. The good things.
I do not understand how this is what the tenth anniversary of the terror attacks of 9/11 has devolved into. And some one should answer for that. And that should be Mayor Michael Boobberg.

*Yes, I know it is Michael Bloomberg. But on this he is Boobberg!