Tag Archives: no fly zone

Election, US

GOP Debate: Without Rand Paul Present, Chris Christie’s Assad Comments Go Unchallenged

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During the sixth GOP presidential debate of the 2016 election on Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was asked about the importance of toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“Governor Christie, how important is it to remove Assad from power and how would you do it?” Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo asked, noting that former GOP candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham has said that the U.S. will find “Arab support” for its coalition against ISIS if Assad is removed.

“You’re not going to have peace in Syria with Assad in charge. You’re simply not,” Christie replied. “And so Senator Graham is right about this.”

Christie criticized President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s approach, saying that Obama initially said, “If Assad uses chemical weapons against his people, that we’re going to attack.”

“He used chemical weapons, he’s killed, now, over a quarter of a million of his own people, and this president has done nothing,” Christie said. “In fact, he’s done worse than nothing.”

[RELATED: Reality Check: GOP Candidates Completely Wrong on Origin of ISIS in Latest Debate]

Christie went on to claim that Obama has used Russian President Vladimir Putin to “negotiate getting those chemical weapons back from Assad,” and as a result he said that the Russians and the Iranians are working together, “not to fight ISIS, but to prop up Assad.”

“The fact of the matter is that we are not going to have peace – we are not going to have peace in Syria,” Christie said. “We’re not going to be able to rebuild it unless we put a no-fly zone there, make it safe for those folks so we don’t have to be talking about Syrian refugees anymore.”

While Christie’s comments about Assad in Syria are nothing new, there was a noticeable difference in the fact that not one of the candidates on stage challenged his rhetoric.

[RELATED: GOP Debate: Rand Paul Warns of Consequences of Regime Change in Syria]

During the fifth GOP debate on Dec. 15, Christie claimed that “ISIS is created and formed because of the abuse that Assad and his Iranian sponsors have rained down on the Sunnis in Syria.” 

He was challenged by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who argued that “had Assad been bombed when he used chemical weapons two years ago, ISIS would be in charge of all of Syria now.”

“There are still people—the majority on the stage, they want to topple Assad,” Paul said. “And then there will be chaos, and I think ISIS will then be in charge of Syria.”

Paul also responded to Christie’s calls for a “no-fly zone” over Syria during the Dec. debate, saying, “Well, I think if you’re in favor of World War III, you have your candidate.”

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Politics, US

FAA Creates “No Fly Zone” Over Bundy Nevada Ranch

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Late Friday evening the FAA declared a “No Fly Zone” over a portion of Bunkerville, Nevada. The zone includes the property around Clive Bundy’s Nevada ranch where hundreds of protestors are now rallying to support the Bundy’s in their fight against the BLM. The No Fly Zone is effective until May 11, will cover a three-mile radius and restricts flight below 3,000 feet.

As you have probably already guessed, according to the FAA, only BLM-controlled aircraft are permitted to fly within the restricted area. Many believe that the feds are attempting to block aircraft or even personal drones with cameras that would be able to record what is happening to these cattle.

Family members believe that the Bundy’s cattle are being killed and buried with backhoes in the Nevada desert. During their attempt to get answers a violent altercation occurred where several family members were attacked by agents.

Meanwhile, hundreds continue to head to the Nevada ranch of Clive Bundy as the BLM and National Park Service continue to round up hundreds of Clive’s cattle. As we reported, Bundy and the BLM have been at odds over the grazing of Bundy’s cattle for two decades. Last week, it came to a head when around 200 federal agents and contract cowboys began rounding up Bundy’s cattle.

Among those headed to the area this weekend, Benswann.com has exclusively learned, members of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Idaho. Militia groups are also arriving on scene. Jim Lordy with Operation Mutual Aid, told a local broadcast station, “They have guns. We need guns to protect ourselves from the tyrannical government.”

Occupy the BLM is organizing this weekend and attempting to bring protesters to the ranch. And as we have told you, Constitutional Sheriff Richard Mack, Oathkeepers founder Stewart Rhodes, as well as oathkeeper members from across the southwest are on their way as well.