Well, he did promise not to do it again:

U.S. law enforcement officials Friday blasted Yemen’s release of one of the leaders of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, which killed 17 U.S. soldiers.

The release of Jamal al-Badawi, a mastermind in the 2000 USS Cole bombing, has outraged U.S. officials.

“We are dismayed and deeply disappointed in the government of Yemen’s decision not to imprison [Jamal al-Badawi],” said a Justice Department statement issued by the Department’s National Security Division.

“We have communicated our displeasure to Yemeni officials,” the statement said.

The statement pointedly referred to al-Badawi as one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists and noted prosecutors in New York City want to get their hands on him.

“He was convicted in Yemeni courts and has been indicted in the Southern District of New York,” the Justice Department said. Officials said the decision is not consistent with cooperation between counterterrorism officials of the United States and Yemen.

Al-Badawi — who had escaped prison last year — was freed after turning himself in two weeks ago, renouncing terrorism and pledging allegiance to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to news reports.

Witnesses said al-Badawi was “receiving well-wishers at his home” in Aden, Yemen, according to The Associated Press in Sana, Yemen.

Good. We know where he is. Kill, or capture, him ASAP.

I think Saddam promised the same thing.You have to wonder if they actually believe this stuff - I doubt it:

Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi here on Wednesday warned against any possible military attack against Iran, promising that Iran’s response would be crushing.

“Any country or power which invades Iran will face a crushing response. We will defend our security and our country in the strongest way in case of any possible military attack,” he added.

The next couple of weeks, before you’re buried by holiday activities, is a great time to take a couple of minutes and do something for the troops:

Volunteers are in full prep mode for the 2007 Holiday Drive, which kicks off over the Veteran’s Day Weekend, November 10 -11! Our goal is to send 60,000 care packages by the end of December, and the excitement is growing as we prepare to assemble and ship Operation Gratitude’s 300,000th package on December 15th!

“This is our 5th Annual Holiday Drive–and will be the largest yet!” exclaimed Carolyn Blashek, Founder of Operation Gratitude. “The holidays are a particularly difficult time for our troops to be away from their loved ones, so it is all the more important that Operation Gratitude reach as many Service Members as possible to let them know they are appreciated and cherished by the American people,” she added.

Surf over to OperationGratitude.com and show your support.

This is not surprising:

The FBI alerted law enforcement agencies last month that an al-Qaeda terrorist now in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United

…The Republic reported that the detainee, who was not identified, said the plan involved three or four people setting wildfires using timed devices in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming that would detonate in forests and grasslands after the operatives had left the country.

Sadly, terrorists wouldn’t even have to leave the country to avoid capture - assuming they had just a little common sense. Executing this plan is so easy, and would be so devastating, that I’m surprised we haven’t seen it happening on a much larger scale. You’d think that terrorists would love an operation that could be accomplished without planning, training, specialized equipment, or significant risk.

Some jokes just write themselves:

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has seen a UFO, writes Shirley MacLaine in her new book, “Sage-Ing While Age-Ing.”

Kucinich, she writes on page143-144 of the book, “had a close sighting over my home in Graham, Washington, when I lived there. Dennis found his encounter extremely moving. The smell of roses drew him out to my balcony where, when he looked up, he saw a gigantic triangular craft, silent, and observing him. It hovered, soundless, for ten minutes or so, and sped away with a speed he couldn’t comprehend. He said he felt a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind.”

Representatives of Kucinich’s presidential campaign and congressional office have not responded to calls and e-mail asking whether the Cleveland Democratic congressman in fact saw a UFO or if there is another explanation for MacLaine’s recollection.

Careful Dennis, it’s classic bait and switch. They lure you with roses and hit you with the probe later.