Journalistic Integrity in 2008

Hahahahahahahaha .......!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't resist

Halloween? Humbug!

Firefighters attending Halloween 2007 festivities in a typical North Burnaby park.

Ah, Halloween. Arson, vandalism, hooligans running wild all night secure in the knowledge that what few cops there are in Burnaby couldn't possibly get around to spoiling the fun.
What will be the final tally of all the damage done?
How many tons of fireworks debris will litter the land this year?
How are your nerves with the periodic explosions?
Halloween has surely done enough harm by now to raise the question: Why do we do this? Why put up with all this every year?
"Oh, but David", you say (I hear you, don't doubt it) "you old grouch, you forget what this wonderful festival is all about: little children taking candy from strangers.
Yeah, well, you've got me there.

BC Independence Site Back Up

The technical difficulties that have had the site doing strange things have been taken care of (I hope. *sigh* Ya just gotta luv those technical difficulties doncha?)
Sorry for the inconvenience.

Down Goes Griffiths! Down Goes Griffiths! ...

Little Arthur's latest loss is electoral, not business, just for a change.

While not a surprise, as a sitting government hasn't won a byelection in BC since forever, its nonetheless good to see anyone associated with the 2010 Olympic boondoggle take one in the tenders.
In this case, Gordie Campbell's sacrificial lamb in Vancouver-Burrard was none other than Arthur Griffiths, who was of course, Chairman of the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Bid Corporation. Kudos to the voters of Van-Burr.
Little Arthur is saying (currently) that he'll have another go at one of those pensions, I mean, the privilege of being one of the people's elected representatives in Victoria, but I suspect that, in the end, he'll just have to settle for his share of the Olympic Whistler real estate loot.

The Religion of Peace - Liverpool Division

You who believe, intoxicants and gambling, idolatrous practices, and divining arrows are repugnant acts—Satan’s doing: shun them so that you may prosper. Q5:90

Some misguided sorts are allegedly not content to simply "shun" "intoxicants" (in this case: hooch) themselves but take things to the point of murder when others don't.
If only they would follow the example of prophet Mo, who as we all know was gentle and peace-loving to a fault (I suspect he was a huge influence on Gandhi) and never ever would use violence to spread his beliefs.

"Somali youth was killed 'in row over alcohol and Islam'

Angela Balakrishnan and agencies
guardian.co.uk,
Tuesday October 28 2008 16.31 GMT

A gang of five men beat a Somali teenager to death because of a row over Muslims drinking alcohol, a court heard today.

Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim, 17, was repeatedly hit across the head with a samurai sword, baseball bat, machete and metal pole after being chased in Sefton Park, Liverpool, in March this year.

The teenager became embroiled in the fight after accompanying his cousin, Ahmed Mahamoud Ahmed, 16, to a "straightener" – a one-on-one fight – with the alleged killer Ali Mohammed, 19.

Liverpool crown court heard how Mohammed is believed to have accused Ahmed of breaking Muslim rules by drinking alcohol and held him down while a friend hit his head with a bat. ..."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/28/ukcrime

This does of course, raise the question of why didn't they just haul the late Ahmed to one of the UK's shiny new Sharia courts and have him stoned to death or whatever?
Maybe they don't pay attention to current events, what with trying to live in the 7th century and all ... that would be ironic, no?

Grasping At Straws

Some people insist on believing Barack Hussein Obama isn't 100% Made In the USA

Newsmax, who, it would seem fair to say, are really quite right wing, have been really running hard with the whole Does Barry O qualify to run for Pres? routine.
The latest development has them in a total tizzy, as apparently, despite the passing of a '30 day deadline' to do so, Obamessiah's lawyers have not yet produced the "original birth certificate" at the heart of a suit launched by former Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Philip J. Berg — a self-avowed supporter of Hillary Clinton,.

The suit alleges that "Barack Obama was born in Kenya and is thus “ineligible” to run for president of the United States" and demands that Obama’s lawyers produce a copy of his original birth certificate to prove that he is a natural-born U.S. citizen.

Well down in the Newsmax story it is (oh so briefly) mentioned that this sort of deadline is routinely, in Shakespeare's (unattributed) phrase, "more honoured in the breach than the observance", by lawyers, yet this whole bit of nothing was nonetheless Newsmax's "Headline Story" (cue: flourish of strumpets, er, trumpets).
Pretty pathetic, guys.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/obama_birth_certificate/2008/10/24/143882.html?s=al&promo_code=6E2D-1

The Clash - Magnificent Seven - Live

The Tom Synder Show 1981

Obama Snags Coveted Tehran Endorsement

I'madinnerjacket wants you to know he likes Barry O for Pres.

"Tehran wants Barack Obama in the White House, rules out war

DEBKAfile Special Report

October 23, 2008, 11:19 AM (GMT+02:00)

During a visit to Bahrain, Iran’s parliament speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday, Oct. 22, that Tehran would prefer Democratic senator Barack Obama in the White House next year. He also ruled out any US attack on his country. “The risk was low before, but now I am 100 percent certain that the United States will not unleash a war against Iran,” he said at a new conference in Manama.

“We lean more in favor of Obama,”, “because he is more flexible and rational, even through we know American policy will not change that much.”

DEBKAfile’s Iranian sources note that Larijani is one of the most powerful voices in Tehran’s conservative camp and a close confidant of supreme ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He would not have spoken out in favor of Obama without top-level sanction.

The location Larijani chose for his statement is significant: Bahrain is one of America’s greatest friends in the Gulf region, host to the US 5th Fleet headquarters. Tehran was laying claim to a foothold in the Gulf region.

The argument he advanced against a US attack was arithmetical: “The economic crisis has cost America 1,400 billion dollars and Washington is working to resolve its internal problems and not a war.”

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5670

I predict Chris Matthews will lead with this tomorrow and he'll be getting that special Obamessiah feeling up his legs again.

Afghan Democracy Update

Seyyed Parwiz Kambakhsh gets 20 years for "blasphemy".

We're told NATO troops continue to fight and die propping up what little government Afdumpistan has in order to allow the Afghans to put together ... to put together exactly what?
Seyyed Parwiz Kambakhsh was originally sentenced to death for downloading and distributing an article on women's rights from the Internet, which in Pres Hamid Karzai's fair land qualifies as something called "blasphemy".
The death sentence came from a provincial court but the more enlightened appeals court in the Big Smoke and Bright Lights of Kabul ran it down to a mere 20 years in prison. Watch for the usual riots in the streets back in Balkh of course, where it seems they take keeping women barefoot, pregnant and veiled more seriously.
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.2613781085

If you'd feel better signing a petition (good luck getting him sprung, but) there's one here:
http://freedetainees.org/1129

All together now:
And its 1.. 2.. 3.. what are we fightin' for?
Don't ask me I don't give a damn.
The next stop's Afdumpistan ...

The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses

1-800-BIG-PEST

If you're one of those who've been plagued lately by calls from 1-800-835-8412 you're not alone. There's even a forum devoted to this pesty automated caller boiler room outfit.
Your correspondent has done the digging and here's your tormentor:



Xentel call themselves "North America's leader in profile enhancement for community-based organizations." That's as may be, but they sure didn't enhance their profile or that of anyone they might represent to me, and I can tell you they didn't seem too thrilled about hearing from your corrrespondent.
I managed (eventually) to get through to Xentel's HQ in Calgary. You can get through to them too at:
1-800-895-1309

And their website is here:
http://www.xentel.com/index.htm

You're welcome. All part of the service.

Barry O Landslide Update

John McCain's impending fate displayed graphically.

Larry J. Sabato details for Rasmussen Reports how JM's position in the Electoral College, no scream in hell last week, has continued to deteriorate this week.

"Obama has 190 Solid, 49 Likely, and 66 Leaning electoral votes, for a total of 305, or 35 more than needed for election.

McCain has 122 Solid, 30 Likely, and 22 Leaning electoral votes, for a total of 174."

http://web1.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_larry_j_sabato/electoral_college_update_october_16

Saving the Afghans From Themselves Update

In provinces just south of Kabul, the Taliban have a shadow government that polices roads and runs courts and schools.

The Christian Science Monitor's intrepid Anand Gopal reports on the Taliban's popularity in Afdumpistan.

"Some Afghans live under Taliban rule – and prefer it

Porak, Afghanistan -
After a gang of thieves had continually terrorized an Afghan neighborhood near here months ago, locals decided they'd had enough. "We complained several times to the government and even showed them where the thieves lived," says Ahmad, who goes by one name.

But the bandits continued to operate freely. So the villagers turned to the Taliban. The militants' parallel government here in Logar Province – less than 40 miles from Kabul, the capital – tried and convicted the men, tarred their faces, paraded them around, and threatened to chop off their hands if they were caught stealing in the future. The thieves never bothered the locals again.

In several provinces close to Kabul, the government's presence is vanishing or already nonexistent, residents say. In its place, a more effective – and brutal – Taliban shadow government is spreading and winning local support.

"The police are just for show," one local says. "The Taliban are the real power here." ...

Villagers say that almost every household in Logar Province has Taliban fighters. ...

As nightfall approaches, Taliban fighters slowly emerge from the houses and surrounding hillsides, some lugging rocket-propelled grenade launchers over their shoulders, ready to begin a night's work. The guerrillas set up checkpoints along Logar Province's central highway, stopping trucks and taxis to check IDs. ...

The Taliban now have a strong presence in all seven of Logar's districts, including outright control of four of them, locals say. "In these districts the Taliban patrol openly in the daytime and there is no government presence at all," ...

In areas under their control, the Taliban has set up their own government, complete with police chiefs, judges, and even education committees.

An Islamic scholar heads the judicial committee of each district under Taliban control and usually appoints two judges to try cases using a strict interpretation of sharia law, according to locals and Taliban members. "We prefer these courts to the government courts," says Fazel Wali of Ghazni city, an NGO worker. ...

Abdul Hakim, a Taliban "Emir of Education and Culture" in Ghazni Province, says his group checks all schoolbooks to ensure that they adhere to their version of sharia law. "We want to ensure that our youth are trained in Islamic education," he explains. "First, they should learn sharia law and religious studies. Then comes science and other subjects.... But we don't burn or close down schools if they are in accord with Islam." ...

However, locals say that the number of schools in Taliban-controlled territory is dwindling fast. Of the 1,100 schools operating three years ago in Ghazni, only 100 are left, according to the Ministry of Education. Almost no girls' schools remain, except nearly a dozen in the government-controlled provincial center.

The group also brings its austere interpretation of Islam to the areas they control, banning nonreligious music and flashy wedding parties. In Logar, guards at Taliban checkpoints regularly stop vehicles and beat drivers playing music. ..."

So, again I ask, all these NATO troops have lost their lives, all these families are suffering for what?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1015/p01s01-wosc.html?page=1

Should Some People Not Vote?

20/20 feature makes a strong case for some people staying home on election day.

Dion Shows His Class

Can you imagine the reaction in the MSM if nasty, wicked Harpo had behaved like this?
I get a kick out of Lloyd and Roger agreeing this isn't like Stephi. Hey guys, remember that thing about adversity revealing character?
Easy to take the high road when one figures one's going to win. When reality bites?
Not so much it seems.

McCain's Last Stand

As Mr Fries noted in tonight's debate, a long line of McCains have served the US in war and peace. However if they're going to get a President in there amongst the family portraits the deed will be done by a future generation.
If anyone wondered if JM could have done any worse than he did in the previous bouts, the question was answered tonight: Yes he could.
In hockey terms the guy was squeezing his stick so hard sawdust was blowing out the end.
It got to the point were he was misspeaking so badly with it, he was blurting out all sorts of interesting malapropisms like his vow to make "health care avoidable, er affordable" ... Too late big guy, they heard the first version.
I had expected Barry O to rope a dope a lot more than he did. He actually took it to McCain though, something I got the feeling wasn't particularly anticipated in the Repugnican corner either.
Barry O landslide on the way.

Spawners Returning to Stoney Creek

For forty years, thanks to the Brunette River's status as an industrial sewer, the salmon runs in the River and its tributaries died out. Now the fish are back, thanks to a terrific, determined community effort and many dedicated volunteers. Special mentions to Sapperton Fish and Game Club and Stoney Creek Environment Committee. Sometimes there's some good news in the enviro file.

http://www.vcn.bc.ca/stoney/welcome.html

http://www3.telus.net/dallydog/sapperton/brunette_river_restoration2.html

Behold Thy Future King, Canerduh

Not right away of course, oh no. Harpo for a bit longer til Ontario decides they've seen enuff, thanks, then they'll want this guy:

Not Stephi Dion, he's a dead man walking, forget him, I mean the guy looking knives at him.
Then, watch for Trudeaumania II.
You read it here first.

And Its 1 .. 2.. 3.. What Are We Fightin' For?

Afghan "President" Hamid Karzai is trying to make a deal with the Taliban through his brother Qayoun [right]

The next step in saving the Afghans from themselves apparently takes the form of trying to work out a deal with the Taliban. So all these NATO troops have died to accomplish exactly what? Decreasing the representation of the Taliban in the "government" (joke that it is) of Afdumpistan?

"Afghan president offers Taliban a role in governing country

President Hamid Karzai has offered Taliban leaders the possibility of positions in his government if they agree to a peace deal which could bring fighting to an end.

By Nick Meo in Kabul
Last Updated: 7:03PM BST 11 Oct 2008

The offer was made through his brother Qayoun at a secret meeting in Saudi Arabia of which Britain was aware.

Britain has been encouraging the Kabul government to talk to its Taliban enemies for more than two years and the Americans are thought to be coming round to the idea of a deal which would end the costly war in Afghanistan.

But The Sunday Telegraph has learned that the allies would insist that the Taliban would have to split with al-Qaeda and provide information on international terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan as the price of a deal. ..."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/3179534/Afghan-president-offers-Taliban-a-role-in-governing-country.html

Yeah, lottsa luck with that.

Lest We Forget

Republicans Know Its Over

Ed Rollins confirms your correspondent's analysis.

You know, watching McCain fumbling meekly along (to say nothing of the Palin geek show) I can't help wondering if the GOP backroom didn't figure from the start they couldn't win and put up a couple of sacrificial lambs. Why waste a candidate who might have a shot at it next time? Many have said that McCain is too old to be running this election, never mind in '12, so he fits the bill there. And Johnny's a good soldier, he'll fall on the grenade, right?
As for Palin, just think "Kim Campbell" and it starts to make sense.
Just wonderin'

Canucks Tribute to Luc Bourdon

Zoom Zoom Indeed

Every year, more than three hundred British Columbians lose their lives in motor vehicles.

If that sort of death toll were due to a war, you know there would be daily demonstrations (at least) in the streets. There would be outrage, an outcry, politicians burned in effigy, all of it.
When it comes to our "love affair with the car" however, well, everyone had something else to do, couldn't make it to that demo, call me for the next time. Its just something that's accepted.

I recall some years back now helping one of my grandkids with her history homework, when she remarked on how 'dumb, cruel and barbaric' people were in the past to practice human sacrifice. While not disagreeing, I pointed out the yearly horrific sacrifices offered up to the "Cult of the Car" and wondered if she figured we'd come all that far.
I'm still waiting for an answer.

Meanwhile, robots scurry around on Mars but manufacturers apparently can't come up with technology that'll keep people from crashing cars. They can make 'em go faster, but not hitting stuff? No.
Perhaps the key, as it is so often, is to put in the effort.
Instead, its all about ZOOM ZOOM.
And look where that gets you.

Fannie and Freddie - Let the Blame Game Begin

Republican supporters make their case for Democrats being to blame for Fannie and Freddie mess and tying it all to Barry Obama.

The True Olympic Ideal

More money more more money

If you happen to be one of those simple souls who really buy into the Olympic sales pitch (most of you are too intelligent, but there are apparently some), you want to check out Ed Willes' column in the October 6, 2008, Vancouver Province:

"As bad as VANOC looks in the Right To Play story which broke last week, there are further details which make it look even worse. If that’s possible. For the uninformed, VANOC and Right To Play — a humanitarian organization which promotes play and sports for kids in underdeveloped countries — severed associations because of a sponsorship conflict.

Right To Play has a three-year deal with Mitsubishi worth about $1.5 million Cdn. General Motors signed up with VANOC to the tune of $67 million and, in the eyes of both VANOC and GM, Right To Play’s presence in the Athletes Village, where they’ve been a fixture in past Olympics, represents a rights infringement.

OK, if you’ve observed the International Olympic Committee for more than five minutes, you’re aware this kind of pettiness isn’t exactly unprecedented.

But that’s only part of the story. When they started negotiations with Right To Play, VANOC told RTP they’d have to drop their deal with Mitsubishi as a precondition to a partnership for 2010.

RTP then went to Mitsubishi and asked if they could be released from the final two years of their contract.

Mitsubishi agreed but, according to Right To Play, VANOC started making more demands. RTP sponsorships couldn’t conflict with VANOC’s Canadian sponsorships through 2012.

Their international sponsorships couldn’t conflict with VANOC through 2010. In the labyrinthine world of the global economy, this would have crippled RTP in Canada and severely limited its ability to raise money internationally.

At that point, RTP bowed out of discussions with VANOC, then had to go back to Mitsubishi hat in hand and asked if they could revive their partnership. The Japanese automaker agreed about three weeks ago. Then the spit hit the fan. We’re now left to wonder what VANOC and GM could have possibly been thinking. A million bucks, which represents the last two years of Mitsubishi’s sponsorship deal with RTP, means everything to some of the neediest children in our world. That was put at grave risk by VANOC's greed.
Remember this the next time someone from VANOC gets all moony about the Olympic ideal.
Remember, also, GM’s role in this and how Mitsubishi conducted itself."

VANOC and the IOC grubbing up a few more bucks at the expense of the poorest children in the world.
Truly, they have no shame.

Tories Brace for Fearmongering

No truth to rumours this image to figure large in Liberal ads

The Harpo Tories are emailing their members (and those they think are members ;D ) drumming up cash to counter the predictable torrent of attack ads being unleashed on the consciousness of voters.

"Dear Mr. In North Burnaby

As more and more Canadians abandon the Liberals, the Liberal attack machine is revving up. They will spend the final two weeks of this election campaign trying to scare Canadians just like they've done before. As their campaign unravels, their attacks are becoming more and more absurd. We must take advantage of these opportunities as they present themselves. I'm emailing you today with an urgent request for you to make a contribution of $200 or $100 on-line right now, by following this link.

We need your support because we have an opportunity right now to counter the Liberal attack machine as it begins to over-reach and make more and more preposterous claims about the Conservative election campaign.

Just this weekend, Yasmin Ratansi's absurd statements that Stephen Harper ‘doesn't really like women', underscore the Liberals' increasingly desperate attempts to gain traction with the electorate. Why are they so desperate? With a $12 billion hole in their campaign platform, support among Canadians shrinking and at least 30 members of their caucus and candidates questioning the wisdom of the so-called Green Shift, it's not surprising at all.

Right now, we have an opportunity to show the Liberal campaign strategy for what it is: the real politics of division in this election. We need your help to do it, so please, follow this link right now and make an –on-line contribution of $200 or $100. Your contribution will help your Conservative Campaign team buy print, radio and television air time and expose the Liberal increasing desperation to Canadians.

Now is the time we need your support the most, I hope you will answer the call.
Sincerely,
Irving R. Gerstein, C. M., O.Ont
Chair, Conservative Fund Canada

P.S. - With election day a short 13 days away, your support is most urgent. Please send the most generous contribution you can today by following this link to our secure on-line donations page."


Personally, I've developed a little gluttony game I quite enjoy to go with all this. Every time I hear some manure chute like Ujjal Dosanjh link Harpo and the evil wicked nasty tool of the devil Bush (:rolleyes:) I have a cookie.

I Love The Classics - Deteriorata (1972)

by Tony Hendra

Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself
and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss... and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right... but that three do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment,
and despite the changing fortunes of time,
there is always a big future in computer maintenance.

Remember the Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
especially with those persons closest to you...
that lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love, therefore; it will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth,
birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan,
and let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time call 606-4311. Ask for Ken.
Take heart amid the deepening gloom
that your dog is finally getting enough cheese,
and reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot,
it could only be worse in Milwaukee.

You are a fluke of the Universe.
You have no right to be here,
and whether you can hear it or not,
the Universe is laughing behind your back.

Therefore, make peace with your god,
whatever you conceive him to be:
hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
the world continues to deteriorate.

Give up

Our Burnaby City Life Series Continues

Open air drug dealing flourishes in a cop-free environment.


Typical hobo spoor in a typical North Burnaby park. The smell is worse.

Cubs Lose Not News

The black cat reminding Cub Ron Santo
about the curse - Shea Stadium Sept. 9, 1969

After their best regular season since (of course, as nothing to do with their misery is random) 1945, the year Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis cursed the Cubbies in the first place, its three games and gone in round one.
Sympathies extended to Cubs nation and a word of advice.
Since apparently the curse is on Wrigley and won't be lifted (according to Sianis) until the ballpark admits goats because they love them and want them there, it may just be time for a new *ahem* venue.
One that won't be required to host livestock.
You're welcome.

The Beatles - Revolution

Community Court? Are They Kidding?

I'd say ten years hard labor just for the hair alone

A vicious, unprovoked attack that leaves the victim unconscious, his jaw broken and so on, and it goes to this newly-hatched faux community court?
Are they serious?
Vancouver's community court is designed to be a farcical exercise in diverting drug addicts who are habitual criminals from canerduh's travesty of a justice system to non-existent detox and treatment.
The only place for this (alleged) waste of skin, if convicted, is prison.

Yankees Extend Cashman Through 2011

What sort of pictures does this man possess?

Nooooooooooooooooo.............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3575889&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy&partnerId=ed-2095682-55419137&source=ed-2095682-55419137

Syria resumes covert nuclear projects in partnership with North Korea

This little bugger is back at it with his pals the Syrians.

Am I insane or is it insane that Syria's source of money for all this is selling oil to the very countries they're conspiring against? What's nuttier, trying to destroy your best customers, or funding your worst enemies?

"DEBKAfile Exclusive Report

September 28, 2008, 9:38 PM (GMT+02:00)

DEBKAfile’s intelligence sources report that it took Damascus a year to recover from the demolition of its plutonium project at El Kibar in northern Syria, but already the nuclear scientists and technicians who were to have been employed there have been hired for new projects. This time the installations are scattered in different parts of the country. North Korean nuclear experts are back too.

Our military sources describe rising tension between Syria and Israel in the wake of the car bomb explosion Saturday, Sept. 27, which killed 17 people and injured 14 outside a Syrian security installation at Sidi Kadad on the highway to Damascus airport. The victims were not officially identified.

Various Arab sources report that one was a Syrian brigadier who was not named. After the attack, DEBKAfile’s sources raised the possibility that it might have targeted people involved in Iranian/Syrian nuclear activity.

Damascus has been wary of accusing Israel of engineering the blast, but unofficial Syrian intelligence sources have indirectly pointed the finger at Israel claiming it was an attempt to spoil Syria’s improving relations with the West.

Western intelligence sources note that Syria has been hit in the past year with attacks associated with its clandestine nuclear activities.

The El Kibar reactor was knocked out on Sept. 6, 2007 while it was under construction. On Aug. 2, 2008, Gen. Muhammad Suleiman was shot dead by a sniper in Latakia. He was a key man in the Syrian nuclear program and acted as liaison officer for Damascus with Iran and North Korea.

If Saturday’s blast did indeed cause the death of a high Syrian officer involved in the program, it would have been the third consecutive operation against Damascus’ revived application to clandestine nuclear projects."

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5618

Strange how those involved keep turning up dead, isn't it? Oh well, "we sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm", don't we?