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Sunday, May 11, 2025

May 7 Hearing in Congress on Campus Anti-Semitism

This article first appeared in Times of Israel Blogs.


 On May 7, the US House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workplace held a hearing on campus anti-Semitism. Three university presidents testified as well as a Georgetown University law professor (and former national legal director of the ACLU). The three university presidents were Wendy Raymond, Haverford College, Robert Manuel, DePaul University, and Jeffrey Armstrong, California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. The law professor was David Cole.

The video is over 2 hours. 

After watching the video, it was clear that the Democrats on the committee had no interest in asking critical questions of the witnesses. Altogether, they generally made speeches attacking the committee itself, the Trump administration, January 6, and Trump's comment about "very fine people on both sides" after the Charlottesville incident (University of Virginia). They all made the requisite statements about condemning anti-Semitism, but lobbed up softball questions to the witnesses while relying on Cole to make points basically attacking the idea of holding hearings and attacking free speech. I should note in passing that among the Democrats on the committee was the odious Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who spent her time attacking the administration's crackdown on foreign students who are causing havoc on our campuses (my words, not hers). 

In fairness,  Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), did raise a point which I think merits discussion: We all know that President Trump is trying to dissolve the Department of Education (DOE). It was brought out that it is DOE's Office of Civil Rights (OCR)  that has the responsibility of investigating complaints of discrimination and racial or religious harassment on campuses. It was stated by Mr Cole that 7 of the 12 regional offices of OCR have been closed.  If that is the case, I am concerned, and I want to know how this responsibility is being transferred to other agencies without a disruption in investigations being conducted. 

The Republicans spent their allotted time asking hard questions. Their main target was Raymond of Haverford, a college in Pennsylvania, which is now being sued by a group of Jewish students for allegedly allowing a climate of anti-Semitism on campus. She was also asked about a professor who reportedly expressed praise for the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel on social media. Raymond  performed poorly, repeatedly stating that she condemned anti-Semitism while evading the questions. She also drew fire for refusing to answer what kind of disciplinary action, if any, has been handed down by Haverford in response to incidents and hateful, anti-Semitic expressions. The other two presidents did provide general numbers of disciplinary actions while not specifically naming names (which they were not asked to do).

Manuel, for his part, was harshly criticized by Republicans for allowing the pro-Palestinian campus encampment at DePaul to go on for almost three weeks before being taken down. He conceded that it was allowed to remain for too long. In addition, two Jewish students were allegedly attacked recently at DePaul.

As for Armstrong, he did not receive much attention from the committee and got off pretty lightly. It is my understanding that in spite of recent incidents at Cal Poly, the campus chapters of Chabad and Hillel have praised his actions and are downplaying any serious problems on campus. Far be it from me to contest that since I have no personal information on that school. I will note, however, that during my years at UC Irvine (1998-2016), Hillel, the Orange County Jewish Federation, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) were denying that there was a problem on our campus. There clearly was and still is.

In April this year, the ADL gave a D grade to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in its survey of the campus climate for Jewish students at US universities. (Both DePaul and Haverford received Fs.)  In addition, the AMCHA Initiative, a California-based group established to expose and combat campus anti-Semitism has a data base of anti-Semitic incidents reported at US universities. Their profile of Cal Poly SLO can be viewed here. Those for DePaul and Haverford can be viewed here and here, respectively.

Going back to Raymond's refusal to answer questions about any discipline handed out at Haverford for recent incidents, I don't know what Pennsylvania state privacy laws say about disclosures o In addition, the AMCHA Initiative, a California-based group established to expose and combat campus anti-Semitism has a data base of anti-Semitic incidents reported at US universities. Their profile of Cal Poly SLO can be viewed here. Those for DePaul and Haverford can be viewed here and here respectively.f this type, but I recall that it came up during incidents at UC Irvine and other University of California campuses, most notably the February 2010 disruption of a speech by then- Israeli ambassador to the US, Michael Oren at UC Irvine, a disgraceful event I personally witnessed.  The names of the 11 students who were arrested and prosecuted successfully became public due to their arrests, but UCI never disclosed publicly any disciplinary action taken or not taken against them.  In California, there is a state prohibition on publicly disclosing disciplinary measures handed out to students. While I don't think that is unreasonable, it would be reasonable, in my view, to state whether anyone has been suspended or expelled without relating the names. No such problem exists for organizations, like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which is under suspension on several campuses, including DePaul.

In summary, my impression is that the Republicans on the committee are the only ones interested in confronting campus anti-Semitism and holding the universities' feet to the fire. The Democrats would rather accuse the Republicans of weaponizing the issue to make political points, an argument I do not agree with. To me, the Democrats don't really care, largely because they are more sympathetic to the Palestinians. I would hope that Jewish Americans are paying attention to these hearings.

France: Church Invaded by Musim Youths Shouting "Allahu Akhbar"

Hat tip Francois DeSouche


Montfavet, Avignon


On Saturday, 5 male teenagers stormed into a church in Avignon telling the priest at the door they wanted to convert to Christianity. Once inside, they shouted, "Allahu Akhbar" repeatedly and threatened to set fire to the church before fleeing.

One of the myriad of problems that France is having with its Muslim population is the desecration of Christian churches, including fires and even the murder of priests. France is a traditionally Christian country, but many (not all) of its Muslim residents have no respect for the predominant religion of the nation. Can you imagine a non-Muslim in a Muslim country doing this in a mosque?

The below article from Valuers Actuelles is translated by Fousesquawk. In addition, Francois Desouche also posted an article in La Provence which reports that the youths also shouted, "Jesus, we f... you".


Info VA Avignon: A priest attacked by youths who threatened to set fire to his church.

On the evening of Saturday, May 10, 5 young adults uttered threats against a priest in Avignon, crying, "Allahu Akhbar". They fled. A complaint has been filed.

By Valeurs Actuelles

Posted May 11, 2025 at 9:39

A priest from the parish of  Montfavet in Avignon in the Vaucluse was threated on Saturday, May 10 in the evening, according to our information.

Around 7:50 pm, 5 young adults contacted him and demanded to enter the church, claiming to want to convert to Christianity.

Once inside, they insulted the priest, shouted, "Allahu Akhbar", and stated they wanted to set fire to the building before fleeing.

Security video was not able to identify the suspects, ages around 16-17, and wearing balaclavas, a police source indicated.

The victim has filed a complaint. An investigation has been opened. The church will be under security for this Sunday's service on May 11 at 10:30 am and 12 pm.






Saturday, May 10, 2025

Italy: Italian Court of Cassation Affirms Legality of Albanian Detention Centers

(l-r) Albanian Premier Edi Rama, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni

-La Voce del Patriota


Good news out of Italy. The Italian (appeals) Court of Cassation has ruled in favor of Italy's agreement with Albania for the latter country to house illegal migrants from Italy awaiting repatriation.  The legal battle, while settled in Italy, still faces a decision on the matter by the European Court of Justice.

The article below from the conservative Italian site, La Voce del Patriota, is translated by Fousesquawk.


Triumph for the Meloni government. Court of Cassation legitimizes detentions in Albania.

May 10, 2025. Updated May 10, 2025

-By Ezia Giovanino

A shocking victory for the government of Giorgia Meloni. The Court of Cassation has sanctioned the total legitimacy of detentions in the migrant centers of Albania, strengthening the Italy-Albania protocol and putting an end to months of legal battles. The decision, welcomed enthusiastically by the executive, marks a turning point in the management of migrant flows, consolidating the hard line of the center-right against illegal immigration. 

The Supreme Court, accepting the appeal of the Interior Ministry and Rome Police Headquarters, has established that the Albanian centers, like the one at Gjader, are comparable to the Italian Detention for Repatriation centers (CPR).

The sentence reverses an earlier ruling issued by the Appeals Court of Rome, which had annulled the detention of a Moroccan migrant in Albania, raising doubts on its compatibility (and) agreement with European law. According to the Court of Cassation, the protocol signed by Meloni and Albanian Premier Edi Rama, is in full conformance with the law, which guarantees orderly and secure management of migrants awaiting repatriation. 

As reported by Libero Quotidiano and Il Giornale, the Rome Appeals Court has already complied with the verdict, validating on May 8 and 9 the detention of migrants in Gjader. The rapid alignment shows the immediate impact of the decision, which closes the door to judgments hostile to the government line.

Meloni: "A 4th of the migrants repatriated within the weekend".

Premier Meloni didn't hide her satisfaction, announcing that 25% of migrants detained will be repatriated within the weekend.
A clear signal. Italy is not only keeping its promise, but is accelerating the fight against illegal immigration. "This ruling shows that our vision is just and practical," Meloni declared, quoted by Secolo d'Italia. The goal is clear: Transform Albania into a strategic hub for managing the influx, lightening the pressure on the Italian borders, and discouraging the journeys of hope.

A long and complex battle

The road to this victory has not been without obstacles. As reported by Il Messaggero, in the past months, several judges have contested the agreement, defining detentions in Albania as incompatible with European law. In January 2025, a ruling by the Court of Appeals had blocked the detentions, raising questions on the list of "safe countries", and referring the question to the European Union Court of Justice (CGUE), whose opinion is expected in the spring.  However, the Court of Cassation has drawn a line, at least on the national level, giving the government the freedom to proceed.

While celebrating the victory, one cannot ignore the critical context. The ruling of the Court of Cassation does not close the European debate: The CGUE could still reduce the Italy-Albania model, imposing constraints that would complicate Meloni's plans. In addition, the opposition continues to criticize the externalization of migratory management, accusing the government of circumventing the fundamental rights of the migrants. However, the facts speak clearly: The protocol works, the repatriations are increasing, and Italy is showing that it can innovate in a field where Europe struggles to find common solutions. 

The decision of the Court of Cassation is more than a legal victory. It is proof that the Meloni government knows how to translate electoral promises into concrete actions. In an era of unprecedented migratory challenges, Italy is raising its head, demonstrating that sovereignty and pragmatism can go hand in hand. La Voce del Patriota salutes this result, but remains vigilant. The battle for control of the borders is anything but finished.



Friday, May 9, 2025

Italy: Parents Object to Their Children Taken to Mosque




In the northern Italian province of Treviso, there is anger and consternation in the past few days on the part of parents of elementary school children, who were taken on a "field trip" to a nearby mosque in the municipality of Susegana. They not only visited the mosque but were led in Islamic prayers by the local imam, in which they prostrated themselves in the Islamic tradition. 

 In addition to the parents, the local representatives of the LEGA party are also outraged. 

 The above video by Antenna Tre (Italy)is subtitled by Gates of Vienna, RAIR Foundation USA, and Vlad Tepes. Translation is by Fousesquawk.

University of Washington Chaos


Hat tip Charles


-The Daily (University of Washington campus newspaper)



On the evening of May 5th, dozens of pro-Hamas demonstrators occupied the Engineering Building on the University of Washington campus. Hours later, over 30 were arrested for trespassing, destruction of property, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy when police went in and removed the occupiers. The occupation of the building was organized by a bunch calling themselves SUPER UW. (Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return). In addition to the Israel-Palestinian issue, they were also demanding that the university cut all ties with Boeing.

Prior to the occupation, the group reportedly issued a "manifesto" praising the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.

Understandably, the event is front and center with the campus newspaper, The Daily. The initial report of the occupation and arrests can be read here.

In addition, the university has reported that the protesters caused over one million dollars in damage while they were occupying the building.

On May 7, The Daily reported that of the 32 arrestees, 21 have been identified as students. These 21 individuals have now been suspended from the university, and federal authorities are investigating the incident as well as anti-Semitism on the campus. 

But there is more.

A report has just been issued by the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization under the auspices of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, that links the UW protesters with Samidoun, a funding arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a US-designated terrorist organization..

"Organized by SUPER, the group released a manifesto shortly before its actions. The document praised the 07 Hamas terrorist attack as a “heroic victory” and explicitly stated that SUPER’s destructive building takeover was inspired by directives issued by a foreign organization and published by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. 

Authorities have identified Samidoun as a fundraising funnel for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States, Canada, European Union, and others. Samidoun has been designated as a terrorist entity by Canada and Israel." 

-SCN

It's getting serious.

It is obvious by now that these protests are not going to stop anytime soon and are only escalating. As I have been predicting for many years, a tragedy is bound to happen if the universities and law enforcement do not bring this situation under control.

This is no longer about free speech and the right to peacefully protest. The protests are anything but peaceful. Jew hatred reigns supreme in many of our universities, and it has reached intolerable levels. Violence, disruption, destruction of school property, assaults, and intimidation against Jewish students must be stopped.

My recommendations:

1 Universities must permanently expel students who break the rules of civilized discourse on campus. They have proven time and time again that they have no place in our universities. In addition, nobody should be allowed to run around a college campus wearing a face covering, especially one that is associated with Palestinian terrorists.

2 Organizations like SUPER, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FSP), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) should be permanently banned from every university. In addition, these organizations and their leaders should be investigated at the federal and state levels. (More on that below.)

3 Universities in general need to reexamine their philosophy of a university being a place where protests and disruptions are allowed in the name of whatever cause. It should not be the role of a university to challenge students' held beliefs and train activists. Similarly, a university classroom should not be a soapbox for misfit professors to spout their personal views. I taught in various colleges and universities for 20 years, and I never expressed my personal opinions in the classroom on any issue. In my opinion, it would be appropriate for universities to ban all protests or demonstrations on campus related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is beyond free speech. This is a public safety issue.

If the universities are unwilling to reform and protect all their students from intimidation on campus, then it is up to the federal government, not just the Department of Education, but the Department of Justice to step in-which they are now doing. Violating the civil rights of Jewish students, or anyone else, is a federal offense. By the same token, when campus activists, be they students, professors, or outside agitators, support US-designated terrorist organizations like Hamas, that is of federal concern. I also strongly support withholding of federal money to universities that refuse to get their houses in order. They do not deserve to be supported, and if they go bankrupt and are forced to close their doors, so be it.

As I have said before, these are not isolated incidents happening randomly and independently of each other. There is coordination and planning going on to violate laws across state lines. I have no doubt that federal conspiracy statutes would apply. It goes without saying that foreign students participating in these incidents should have their student visas withdrawn and be deported. Kudos to the Trump administration for attempting to accomplish that in spite of opposition from the Democrats and leftist judges.

As for those who are being arrested by local and/or campus police, many of these cases merit prison sentences upon conviction. When you occupy university property and cause over one million dollars in damages, probation, fines, or community service are no longer appropriate.

It is time to teach these miscreants a hard lesson. If you want to disrupt a university, occupy buildings, engage in violence and destruction, and intimidate a particular group of people, in this case, Jewish students, there must be consequences.

 






Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Italy: Fatal Stabbing Outside Disco: Two Tunisians in Custody

Castelfranco Veneto (province of Treviso)
Hat tip Gates of Vienna

On May 4, in the town of Castelfranco (Treviso), a fight broke out between two groups of youths outside a disco. When it was over, a 20-year-old named Loreanzo Cristea was dead, and another boy was seriously injured with stab wounds. Two young men described as North Africans were chased down by club security and held for the Carabinieri.

The article below from the local news outlet, Treviso Today, is translated by Fousesquawk. Note that in the Hungarian English-language site, Remix, the victims are described as Italians of Romanian origin and the arrestees are identified as Tunisians.  


Homicide in Castelfranco/Castelfranco Veneto

The proprietor of the disco speaks: "We knew them all as good boys."

Cristian Simioni is the proprietor of the Playa Beach Club in Castelfranco. On May 4, he was in the club when he was advised of the fight. "When we arrived in via Pagnana, they were still hitting each other. Then the two North Africans fled. We caught up with them (and held them) waiting for the arrival of the Carabinieri. They didn't say a word."

"It was an incredible shock. It is the first time that such a tragedy has happened outside one of our clubs. At this point, it is proper to stop and reflect. We will be closed next weekend." Speaking is Cristian Simioni, proprietor of the Playa Beach Club disco in Castelfranco, near which, on Sunday, May 4, occurred the fatal stabbing of Lorenzo Cristea, a 20-year-old from Trebasaleghe. Simioni, who was at the club on that evening, retraces those frightful moments. "The disco," he explains, "was almost at closing time. Inside the hall, we noticed that the victim's group and two Maghrebian boys (Badr Rouaji, 19, and Taha Bennani, 21, editor's note) were involved in a very heated argument. Frankly, I don't know why the argument broke out, but our surveillance and security people intervened, telling them all to go outside and leave the club. The knives? They were certainly hidden somewhere outside. Our entrances are also controlled thanks to metal detectors."

"The two groups," Simioni continues, "went outside, one a few minutes after the other. The friends of Lorenzo, while leaving, reportedly said they intended to take a walk in Jesolo. I presume the others were going home. The fight occurred  800 meters from our club. We received a call from one of our customers, and we immediately ran to see. When our personnel arrived in via Pagnana, the violent scuffle was already in progress. But when they noticed our presence, Badr and Taha ran off and were followed by our bouncers. They tried to hide but were found and taken to the disco to await the Carabinieri. The whole time, they didn't say a word."

Simioni says that the young men involved in the fight were regular customers at his clubs. "The two who are being investigated for homicide, "he says."We saw them quite regularly for the past 8 months, the others, perhaps, for longer, and they came almost every week. They never caused any type of problem, either inside the disco, nor outside. What happened is really incredible."

Simioni has announced that on Saturday at Arias, a club also located at Castelfranco, an evening event will be organized dedicated to the theme of safety. "We want to contribute, not just with mere affirmations of principle, but also by doing something concrete. We will involve experts in the field, concentrating above all on prevention."


Monday, May 5, 2025

Brown University, Qatar, and the the Choice Program



Brown University is involved in yet another controversy. I am cross-posting an article appearing today in Legal Insurrection. The controversy is a result of a study by the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy (ISGAP).

Brown University is cutting off a program it has reportedly sponsored for 35 years in which history curricula are designed and provided for high school instruction and which, among other things, allegedly present a biased view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, presenting Israel as a "settler-oppressor and apartheid state," etc. The Choices Program has been housed in Brown's History Department since 2018 and provides history curricula to approximately one million high school students nationwide, according to the Brown Daily Herald (see below link). The university says it is cutting off the program due to funding and staffing issues, while denying that the program is biased and anti-Semitic. They also deny the charge of receiving funding from the government of Qatar, that pesky Middle East country that pretends to be our ally, but is solidly against Israel and supports Hamas in its war against Israel. Don't forget that Qatar is the base for Al Jazeera, that phony news outlet that spreads its propaganda with the help of US-based journalists and sympathetic university professors. At question here is the role of the Qatar Foundation International. (QFI)

Brown, which has been involved in numerous complaints of anti-Semitism and indoctrination on its campus over the past several years, is denying that they have received money from the State of Qatar, only the Qatar Foundation International, which, Brown claims, has no connection to the government of Qatar. Here is how the campus newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, is reporting the story.

On its website, QFI states that it is a member of the Qatar Foundation. According to ISGAP, the Emir of Qatar acts as the chair of the Qatar Foundation, which operates as a state-controlled entity. 

I also note that the article linked above from the Brown Daily Herald does not mention Qatar in the article itself, though there are links to the ISGAP study and the university's denials. The principal theme of the article is the shock and disappointment of those involved in the Choice Program.

If the allegations made by ISGAP are true, this is disturbing. If a program sponsored by Brown (Choice Program) is designing and providing curricula to high schools around the nation that present a biased and/or distorted view of the Middle East conflict, and if that program is receiving funding and/or other assistance from an entity controlled by the Qatari government, that is all very troubling. It once again raises the question of foreign influence in our educational process and what our children are being taught. Universities have received millions of dollars from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China. Those donations are not given in the spirit of improving education in America. They are to influence what is being taught about the important issues they care about.  Georgetown University's Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Christian and Muslim Understanding, for example, has been the recipient of funding from Saudi Arabia. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia have donated millions to establish Middle East studies centers on many university campuses, which, in most cases, are nothing but propaganda arms for pan-Arab, anti-West, anti-Israel thought.

I am also troubled by the efforts of universities to influence the curricula of high schools, thanks to the efforts of leftist professors and course developers. I am reminded of the recent controversy in California when the University of California tried to dictate certain courses, like ethnic studies, which high school students had to complete in order to qualify for admission to a UC campus.

I hope that the Department of Education will look into the allegations regarding Brown-and other universities driven by leftist ideology and astronomical sums of money from dubious foreign sources, and which serve to indoctrinate our children. How much has Brown received from Qatar? Under the Higher Education Act, institutions must report donations from foreign sources in excess of $250,000. Has Brown exceeded that limit without reporting it? 

In the case of Brown, there is much for our government to investigate thanks to the ISGAP study.












Saturday, May 3, 2025

More Campus Disorder at UCLA (Students for Justice in Palestine)






On April 30, the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at UCLA, which is currently under suspension, attempted to hold a movie event on campus showing a pro-Palestinian propaganda piece. UCLA told them they were not authorized to hold such an event on campus. Yet, SJP proceeded to hold it anyway. UCLA, to its credit, sent in the campus police to break it up. The demonstrators then marched around to different parts of the campus and interrupted traffic outside the campus.

Along the way, a police officer was assaulted, and a Jewish student carrying an Israeli flag was also assaulted by a group of the pro-Hamas thugs. His account can be viewed in this Fox News interview with Trace Gallagher here. Reportedly, three of the demonstrators were arrested.

Here is how the Daily Bruin is reporting the incident.

The official statement from UCLA can be viewed here.

This latest incident comes in the wake of a decision by the LA City Attorney's office not to proceed against hundreds of students who were arrested on the UCLA campus (as well as the University of Southern California) during last year's encampment fiasco. The City  Attorney's Office cited the lack of cooperation from the schools in identifying offenders.

"In a statement, the City Attorney’s Office stated that after reviewing more than 300 arrests from the mass protests in April and May of 2024, criminal cases were declined for most people “for evidentiary reasons or due to a university’s failure or inability to assist in identification or other information needed for prosecution.”

-Orange County Register

In short, things are a mess at UCLA. For years, former Chancellor Gene Block allowed the climate of campus anti-Semitism to fester.  In March, the Justice Department (under new management) filed a brief in federal court supporting complaints filed by Jewish students and one professor in connection with last year's campus disorders. 

The response by UCLA and the campus police is encouraging, but words must be followed by action.  SJP was already under suspension for its obnoxious protest held in front of a UC Regent's home in Brentwood, in which the outside of his home was vandalized with paint last February. Now is the time for UCLA to show it is serious and ban SJP permanently. 

Friday, May 2, 2025

The DEA Confirmation Hearing and the Anonymous Letter



Yesterday, Senate confirmation hearings began for President Trump's nominees to head DEA and the U.S. Marshal's Service. As a retired DEA agent, I am certainly interested in the hearings. The DEA nominee is former supervisory DEA agent Terrance Cole. Unsurprisingly, it appears the Democrats are going to oppose his nomination. Now it has been revealed that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has received an unsigned letter from several former DEA agents urging him to dig into Cole's alleged possible role in two incidents involving Colombia and Mexico. This is how CNN is reporting the letter and the two incidents in question. Note that the article mentions "roughly a dozen" authors of the letter. Other reports say 22.

Without going through the details of the "allegations", I note that Cole was working in Colombia when the massacre of the Colombian police officers occurred in 2006. Cole himself was not present. In the Mexican case, about 5 years later, Cole was a supervisory agent in Dallas during the period in question.

Having worked overseas with DEA during my career (Thailand in the 1970s and Italy in the 1980s), I can state that it is routine for DEA offices overseas to pass on intelligence to their foreign counterparts for whatever enforcement action the host country counterparts deem appropriate. Whether DEA agents participate in any enforcement action is up to the discretion of the host country counterparts since American agents, of course, have no arrest powers overseas. Even if DEA agents participate in an enforcement operation overseas, the operations are directed by host country counterparts. In addition, DEA agents overseas have to follow the so-called Mansfield Amendment (22 U.S.C. § 2291(c)), which prohibits American government agents from participating in the arrests of people in other countries- a topic for a whole new discussion. Thus, from what I gather in the news reports, Cole's non-presence in the Colombian operation in question appears to be a non-issue.

In the Mexican matter, it is routine for DEA domestic offices (in this case, Dallas) to pass on intelligence regarding a foreign country to the DEA office in that country. Whether that intelligence is passed to foreign counterparts would normally be a decision by DEA HQs and/or the overseas office in question, primarily due to the danger of compromise due to corruption. Based on what I have read, I find it difficult to blame the Dallas Field Office for what ensued in Mexico.

"Three former DEA agents who support Cole, however, told CNN that neither internal report found fault with Cole, and that he bore no blame for violent deaths in countries on the front lines of the drug wars. Those agents declined to share the internal reports with CNN to verify those findings. The Cole critics who spoke to CNN had not reviewed those reports."

-CNN

Former DEA agents would not be in possession of DEA reports-even if they were the authors of those reports. They are sensitive documents by their very nature and are the property of DEA. Like every other retired DEA agent, I wrote thousands of reports over the course of my career. I possess none of them today; thus, CNN is making a misleading insinuation here. The former agents supporting Cole are not trying to withhold anything from the media. They cannot provide anything they don't have.

"The detractors, though, say Congress has a responsibility to demand a more public accounting of his record.

"There's bad luck, but how many times do you have lightning strike twice?"

-CNN

All I can say to that is that over the course of every DEA agent's career, bad luck and lightning striking happen a lot more than just twice. Virtually every man or woman who has carried the DEA badge has experienced many bad incidents over the years. Drug enforcement is a very dangerous job. You are dealing with vicious criminal organizations. There is violence. There are murders. There are shootouts. Fellow agents and informants occasionally lose their lives. I could go on and on. I wish I could say that bad luck and lightning only struck twice in my career. The above statement is ridiculous on its face.

I should also add that I do not know Mr Cole though I have heard good things about his enforcement background. Thus, I am hoping that he will be confirmed. This leads me to my final point: As far as I am concerned, anonymous letters should carry no weight. If those who sent the letter are so concerned about Mr Cole's nomination and have knowledge of anything that would disqualify him, they should attach their names and be willing to come forward to testify. As anyone who reads this blog knows, I write about very contentious issues and have created enemies in the process. My name goes on every posting. It should go without saying that I sign my letters as well.

*Note to CNN: The DEA is the Drug Enforcement Administration, not the Drug Enforcement Agency. It was established in 1973. You would think that after more than 50 years, the media would get it right.


Thursday, May 1, 2025

Remembering David Horowitz

This article first appeared in New English Review. 

David Horowitz
1939-2025


Today, we are mourning the loss of conservative activist, writer, and speaker, David Horowitz, who has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 86. Horowitz, who was a Marxist and radical leftist in his youth, later became a leading conservative figure and one of America's leading voices in warning about the threat of political Islam and anti-Semitism in this country. He was condemned by those on the left, like the Southern Poverty Law Center, but in my view, he was simply fighting unapologetically against hate directed at America, Israel, and the Jewish people. He was incredibly courageous and took his fight right to the campuses, facing angry students, radical professors, and activists, taking their questions, and routinely defeating them and their arguments.

Horowitz's signature moment, in my opinion, came in 2010 when he was speaking at the University of California, San Diego. During question and answer, he engaged with a young woman from the UCSD Muslim Student Association. At the end, he asked her if she supported Hamas. Failing to get a direct answer from her, Horowitz then recounted the words of former Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, saying that, The head of Hezbollah has said that he hopes we will all gather in Israel so that he doesn't have to hunt us down globally." 

"For it or against it?" he asked.

"For it", she answered. 

That exchange serves as evidence that the pro-Palestinian movement, both in the Middle East and here in the West, is anti-Semitic to its core. It puts the lie to the constant claim that these people are not anti-Jewish, simply anti-Zionist. That woman was not just speaking for herself. She represented the views of millions of people who know only violence and hate.

I cannot claim to have known Horowitz personally, but I did get to meet him briefly on two occasions when he came to speak at UC Irvine and once at UCLA. The last time he came to speak at UC Irvine, he seemed very tired and was clearly not well. We exchanged emails once when he asked me some questions about what was happening at UC Irvine, where I was teaching part-time. Later, I had the honor of writing several profiles of radical leftists for his Freedom Foundation's "Discover the Networks" website.

David Horowitz was not a hate monger. Unlike his detractors and others who refused to join him in his fight against anti-Semitism, he was a courageous man who stood up to the radicals and haters in our society. He was a true hero, and he will be missed.

May his memory be a blessing.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Sweden: Mother and Child Seriously Injured as Grenade Thrown Into Their Bedroom Window

Once again, Sweden is rocked by gang violence. On Sunday evening, someone threw a hand grenade through the bedroom window of an apartment where a mother and her small daughter lived. The mother is in critical condition, and the child is in serious but stable condition. 

Police believe that the victims were not the intended targets, but that the actual target was a neighbor, and the perpetrator(s) chose the wrong residence.

The article below from Aftonbladet is translated by Fousesquawk.


Neighbors heard screams after the explosion: "Like a horror movie"

By Amanda Hällsten, Wayne Deretis

Posted 4-28-2025 at 22:09

A mother and daughter are being treated for severe blast injuries.

According to Aftonbladet's information, a hand grenade is believed to have exploded in their bedroom.

"I tried to help her, but there was nothing I could do," says a shocked neighbor in Tumba.

Around 23:45 on Sunday evening, gang violence came to a leafy townhouse area south of Stockholm.

Police, rescue services, and ambulances were called to a fire in a row of townhouses.

As it turns out, it was caused by an explosion.

"It just happened. I looked out, and it was burning like Hell. I was as shocked as my wife," says neighbor, Sören Tiderman, 81.

Another neighbor stands the next day with an empty stare and looks at where crime scene technicians are working inside the blue and white police tape.

He says that he was first on the scene after the explosion, and he hasn't slept the entire night. Today, he is choosing to stay home from work.

"My children play with their children. Why would anyone want to do that to them ?" the neighbor says, who doesn't want his name and picture used.

The police theory is that the act was not directed at the family, and they were not the actual targets, according to Aftonbladet's information. 

Caption: "It just happened," says  Sören Tiderman, 81.

The residents gather in a small area between the row houses. Now and then, they talk to us journalists.

On the ground, can be seen signs of children's colored asphalt chalk.

The red brick houses consist of both row houses and rowhouse-like multi-family buildings with apartments.

A man who lives in the neighborhood believes that the act was actually directed at him and that he has recently received threats from a criminal network, according to Aftonbladet's sources.

The man was reportedly at home and heard when the explosion went off. Shortly thereafter, he received a message with a bomb emoji, according to sources.

Caption: On Monday, police and technicians were at the scene.

Life threatening injuries

Police technicians have found traces of at least one hand grenade at the scene of the crime, next to a bedroom window. The hand grenade is believed to have detonated inside the bedroom.

The mother is being treated with life-threatening injuries, while the daughter's condition is serious but stable.

"Oh, Lord God, into a family with children. Think if they were lying in their beds," says Mervi, 65.

She murmurs as she talks about the attack. Her little dog, a spotted Aussiedoodle, cuddles against her leg.

"I am still shocked, it feels unsafe that this is creeping so close," Mervi says.

Lara, 20, was also awakened by the chaos after the explosion. Her family lives near the affected family's house.

"I saw when the child was taken in the ambulance. I have played with this child. It is so heartbreaking," she says.

She says that she thinks it has become more unsafe in the area despite the seeming idyllic environment.

In the Tumba area of Storvreten, a short distance away, both murders and explosions have occurred in recent years.

"I don't know if I dare go out and play with my little sister anymore, she is just 10 years old. We have lived here 20 years, and it has always felt safe."

Caption: Cecilia Johansson, 25, and Amanda Pettersson, 27, want to see increased security in the area.

Screaming after the children

Cecilia Johansson, 25, and Amanda Pettersson, 27, were watching a movie when the explosion occurred.

"We went out onto the terrace. We heard really loud screams, it was like in a horror movie. And that there are children involved, that is terrible. They play right here and draw on the asphalt with crayons," says Cecilia Johansson.

Amanda Pettersson wants to see increased security in the area of the row houses.

"After this, we have to keep our eyes open, and we have to set up cameras," she says.

Caption: Marie-Louise Schiller, 83: Called "police" by neighbors .

Marie-Louise Schiller, 83, says that she has already been called "the police" by her neighbors.

Now she thinks she will be more of a police (officer).

" I go out on the steps, and I say, 'Hi, I see you'.  It's for the sake of the children, thinking about narcotics and recruitment," she says.

"I usually knit socks for the children in the courtyard. It is terrible when children are affected, and especially when they are not even involved," says Schiller.

*Update (4-30-2025

Here is a news video from the above Aftonbladet report. Hat tip to Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes for sub-titling. Translation by Fousesquawk.





Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Sweden: Three Dead in Apparent Gang Shooting in Uppsala


Uppsala, Sweden



The bodies just keep piling up in Sweden. Today in the university town of Uppsala, three people were shot to death in the center of the city. A suspected shooter reportedly fled the scene on an electric scooter. He was masked and hooded, so it appears there is no further description.

Swedish State Television (SVT) has learned that one of the victims was involved in a police investigation into a planned attack against a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo of the Foxtrot Network. Thus, it would appear this is the latest gang-related shooting in Sweden.

The below SVT article is translated by Fousesquawk.


Caption: Three people have been killed in a shooting near Vaksala Square in Uppsala. Roadblocks are in place after the shooting.

Police confirm: Three dead in shooting in Uppsala

Updated today at 22:15. Posted today at 17:29

Three people have died in a shooting in central Uppsala, police confirm.

One of the people shot to death, according to information provided to SVT, was (involved) in an investigation into the planned attack on a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo.  

The shooting occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday. Several people reported that they heard loud shots in the area. Police have cordoned off a large area near Vaksala Square.

According to early information provided to SVT, several people have reportedly been killed. Around 7:25 pm, police confirmed that three people have died in the shooting and that the incident is being investigated as murder.

"These three people are not identified, and therefore, relatives have not yet been notified, and we won't give any more information at this time," says police pressperson Maria Hall to SVT News. 

One of the dead persons is a man who was (involved) in an investigation in a planned attack on a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo, according to information provided to SVT.

May have fled on an electric scooter

Police have initiated a so-called special incident in connection with a violent act. A suspected perpetrator reportedly fled the scene, according to SVT's information. Meanwhile, police are searching the area with canine units and drones.

"There is information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter, but whether it is a witness, a perpetrator, or whether the person even is connected is uncertain. People should come forward with tips if they have information on this," says press spokesperson Maria Hall to SVT.  

Witness: "Heard shots"

SVT has spoken to several witnesses at the scene who say they heard several shots.

"I heard shots, so I immediately understood that it must be a shooting," says Alexander Griedl, who lives near the suspected crime scene.

Minister: A brutal act of violence

Justice Minister Gunnar  Strömmer has commented on the incident and describes it as "extraordinarily serious".

"A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala. Police have confirmed that three persons have lost their lives. This at the same time as all of Uppsala is beginning the Walpurgis holiday. What has happened is extraordinarily serious".

He says that the Justice Department is in close contact with police and is following the development of the incident closely.

Caption: Alexander Griedl lives just some 50 meters from the suspected scene of the crime.