#LiberatingIraq Chronicles The Untold Story of the Assyrian Christians

Liberating Iraq is the story of the Iraqi war written by one of the only people in Iraq without a `minder`. The book provides the unique Assyrian Christian perspective on the Iraq war. Liberating Iraq also reveals what happened to the weapons of mass destruction, and it tells of the horrors experienced by those who worked for the Iraqi government and what life was like under Saddam. The book describes the days leading up to the war, the first relief convoy to cross the border into Iraq following the war, and the tremendous success of the nearly 400,000 Americans who fanned out across Iraq to love and save the nation only to now be on the verge of seeing that success lost.

Liberating Iraq is based on the author’s own personal insights as an Assyrian Christian over a period of several years, which were drawn from meetings with the Iraqi Prime Minister, President, Foreign Minister, top US and international officials, and the Iraqi people themselves. The readers who will be interested in Liberating Iraq include those who served in Iraq and who want the story they experienced told, family members of those who served who want to know the truth, and the general public who want to know what really happened.

"Liberating Iraq tells the story of the many Iraqis who truly did `dance in the streets` at the fall of Saddam's repressive regime and of the Americans, nearly a half million of whom helped liberate and rebuild Iraq. But it also underscores a difficult current  reality; namely, the plight of the Assyrian Christians who still struggle and suffer in today's Iraq. The world must turn its eyes to and raise its voice for the protection and sustainment of this the oldest continuing Christian community in the world!" Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction

"Liberating Iraq tells the “other side” of the story of how the nearly 500,000 Americans who served in Iraq touched a country and changed it for good. In addition, it tells the story of the Assyrian Christians who are in peril as the “victory” in Iraq has been squandered. What has particularly touched me is finally being able to say “thank you” to the families of the nearly 4,500 who gave their lives so that Iraq could be free. The Arab Spring has turned into the Islamic Winter and the Christians of the Middle East have suffered the most." Pat Boone, American Singer, Actor, and Writer.

"Amir George is an Assyrian Christian whose family is from the original Assyrian Homeland in North Iraq. This afforded him a unique vantage from which to view the American war and occupation. No other account of the war and its aftermath offers similar insights. In addition, George brings us more vividly than anyone else the story of the Assyrian Christian community whose decimation is arguably the greatest tragedy of the Iraq war and a terrible omen for the future of the Middle East." Joshua Muravchik, Fellow, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

Amir George is an Assyrian Christian whose family is from the Northern Iraqi town of Mahoudi.

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Police Raids Target #MexicanMafia Prison Gang and #LaFamilia Drug Cartel

Raids were carried out in Montebello Tuesday as part of two investigations targeting the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

Authorities say a drug cartel based in Mexico, a South Central Los Angeles street gang and the Mexican Mafia worked together for millions of dollars in drug sales.

The investigations began more than three years ago and involved a number of agencies at the federal, state and local levels. The investigations culminated with the arrests in Montebello.

Authorities busted up what they described as a business merger between La Familia drug cartel, based in Michoacan, Mexico, a South Central Los Angeles street gang and the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

Investigators say apparently, the drug cartel would supply methamphetamine and marijuana, and the street gang would protect the shipments and money. The Mexican Mafia prison gang handled the distribution and proceeds for a fee.

Law enforcement agencies say in the past three years since the investigations began, more than 600 pounds of methamphetamine have been confiscated or seized, with a total street value of just over $19 million.

More than a dozen arrests including members of the South Central street gang and La Familia associates in Southern California have been made from San Diego to Visalia.

A number of alleged gang members were arrested Tuesday and were processed at the Montebello Police Department.

Thanks to Sid Garcia.

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Richard #BigBaldy Uva, Alleged #Gambino Associate, Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy Violation Related to Organized Crime Gambling Ring

Richard "Big Baldy" Uva, 44, of Trumbull, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act stemming from his involvement in organized-crime controlled gambling businesses.

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting U.S. Attorney for District Connecticut, said Uva, formerly of Stamford, entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford.

"According to court documents and statements made in court, after a long-term investigation led by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Stamford Police Department, UVA, Dean DePreta and 18 others were charged with various offenses related to their involvement in an illegal Internet sports bookmaking operation and illegal card gambling clubs in Stamford and Hamden," the prosecutor said.

Uva and DePreta are alleged associates of the Gambino organized crime family, Daly said.

The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that UVA assisted DePreta’s operation of a large-scale sports bookmaking business in which gamblers placed bets with offshore Internet sports-gambling websites, particularly www.44wager.com based in Costa Rica.

"Uva served as the “master agent” for the bookmaking operation. In addition, DePreta, Uva and others operated a card gambling club at 2965 State St. in Hamden, where a house percentage, commonly referred to as a “rake,” was collected from every hand played."

Uva supervised the club’s operation, Daly said. "Uva also admitted that he committed acts of extortion while participating in this racketeering enterprise and collected “tribute” payments from independent sports bookmakers operating in Connecticut, which payments were subsequently delivered to Gambino Family associates in New York," she said.

Uva is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on Oct. 24, 2013, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He also has agreed to forfeit $250,000.

Uva has been released on bond since his arrest on June 13, 2012. DePreta has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

FBI analysis of the sports-betting web site utilized by the co-defendants has determined that the total gross revenues of the Stamford-based gambling operation were nearly $1.7 million from October 2010 to June 2011.

To date, the defendants who have pleaded guilty have agreed to forfeit more than $1.3 million.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hal Chen and Peter Jongbloed.

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Federal Police in Brazil Crackdown on Death Squad of Active-duty Law Enforcement Officers

Brazil’s Federal Police arrested 18 people Tuesday in a crackdown on an extermination squad that operated in Natal, capital of the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte.

The suspects, who include 11 state and municipal police officers, have been linked to 22 homicides and five attempted homicides, Federal Police spokespersons said.

Besides targeting drug dealers, the death squad engaged in murder-for-hire and killings of witnesses, according to federal authorities. More than 200 Federal Police took part in Tuesday’s arrests.

The suspects will be charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and with membership in an extermination squad, Federal Police said in a statement. The leaders of the group could face prison sentences of up to 395 years.

This is the third time in two years that Federal Police have moved against a death squad comprising active-duty law enforcement officers.

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Will Legalized Pot Mellow Out Chicago's Murder Rate?

Illinois became the twentieth state in the Union Friday to legalize the medical use of marijuana. The law sets up state-run pot dispensaries statewide. They think it might cut down on the murder rate in Chicago if no one can remember where they left their gun.

Thanks to Argus Hamilton.

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