Justin Raimondo
They were dancing in the streets: "An old man blared on a trumpet, policemen danced in the back of their pickup trucks, and a singer," reported the Los Angeles Times, "trilled in a city park, all to celebrate the new era." A description of what happened when we invaded and "liberated" a nation groaning under the boot of Saddam Hussein and his Ba’athist Party dictatorship?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pentagon Enlists Feminists for War Aims
Over a decade ago a young woman approached me on the California Senate floor with a petition against the Taliban. Women are being repressed, tortured and killed by religious fundamentalists, she said. I signed on. The Taliban seemed like a Ku Klux Klan aimed at women. I was disgusted that the State Department and oil companies would negotiate with them over pipelines, with cursory regard for women's rights. I still feel that way.
(Via the Palestinian Pundit)
(Via the Palestinian Pundit)
Settlers Grow and Advance
RAMALLAH, Jul 20 (IPS) - A little village nestled in a valley between several hills in the Bethlehem governorate is today fighting for survival.
All around Wadi Fuqin village on the outskirts of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank is the expanding and illegal Israeli settlement Beitar Illit, home to 35,000 settlers. The settlement is situated on a hill overlooking the little Palestinian village of 2,500.
Next to the settlement several mushrooming settler outposts together with Beitar form a semi-circle around Wadi Fuqin, closing in on it.
While settlement construction booms and the number of settlers in Beitar and its outposts continues to swell, Palestinians in Wadi Fuqin are forbidden by the Israeli authorities from building new homes, or enlarging current ones to accommodate new generations.
All around Wadi Fuqin village on the outskirts of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank is the expanding and illegal Israeli settlement Beitar Illit, home to 35,000 settlers. The settlement is situated on a hill overlooking the little Palestinian village of 2,500.
Next to the settlement several mushrooming settler outposts together with Beitar form a semi-circle around Wadi Fuqin, closing in on it.
While settlement construction booms and the number of settlers in Beitar and its outposts continues to swell, Palestinians in Wadi Fuqin are forbidden by the Israeli authorities from building new homes, or enlarging current ones to accommodate new generations.
West ignores lessons of Soviet humiliation in Afghanistan
“There is barely an important piece of land in Afghanistan that has not been occupied by one of our soldiers at some time or another,” the commander said. “Nevertheless, much of the territory stays in the hands of the terrorists. We control the provincial centres, but we cannot maintain political control over the territory that we seize.”
He added: “Our soldiers are not to blame. They’ve fought incredibly bravely in adverse conditions. But to occupy towns and villages temporarily has little value in such a vast land, where the insurgents can just disappear into the hills.”
Times online
He added: “Our soldiers are not to blame. They’ve fought incredibly bravely in adverse conditions. But to occupy towns and villages temporarily has little value in such a vast land, where the insurgents can just disappear into the hills.”
Times online
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Some Healthcare Statistics
USA:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 75/80
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 67/71
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 8
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 137/80
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 6,714
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 15.3
UK:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 77/81
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/72
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 98/61
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,784
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.4
Switzerland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 71/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 5
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 80/47
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 4,312
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 11.3
Sweden:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 78/49
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,119
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.9
Norway:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 78/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 70/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 86/53
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 4,521
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.7
Japan:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/86
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/78
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 89/44
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,514
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.9
Iceland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 3
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 68/49
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,319
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 9.3
Finland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 3
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 132/57
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,472
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.6
France:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 77/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 5
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 124/57
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,554
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 11.1
Denmark:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/81
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/71
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 111/65
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,349
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 9.5
Canada:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 78/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 70/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 89/55
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,672
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 10.0
Cuba:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/80
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 67/70
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 7
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 127/82
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 363
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.1
Australia:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 71/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 82/47
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,122
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.7
World Health Organization
--------------
Moving to Australia made me gain 2 years!! :)
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 75/80
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 67/71
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 8
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 137/80
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 6,714
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 15.3
UK:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 77/81
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/72
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 98/61
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,784
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.4
Switzerland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 71/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 5
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 80/47
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 4,312
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 11.3
Sweden:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 78/49
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,119
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.9
Norway:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 78/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 70/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 86/53
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 4,521
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.7
Japan:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/86
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/78
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 89/44
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,514
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.9
Iceland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 72/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 3
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 68/49
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,319
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 9.3
Finland:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 3
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 132/57
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 2,472
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.6
France:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 77/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/75
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 5
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 124/57
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,554
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 11.1
Denmark:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/81
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 69/71
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 4
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 111/65
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,349
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 9.5
Canada:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 78/83
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 70/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 89/55
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,672
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 10.0
Cuba:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 76/80
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 67/70
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 7
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 127/82
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 363
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 7.1
Australia:
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 79/84
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 71/74
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 6
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 82/47
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 3,122
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 8.7
World Health Organization
--------------
Moving to Australia made me gain 2 years!! :)
Permaculture in Palestine: Bustan Qaraaqa Greens the Hills Outside Bethlehem
For a group of British ecologists working in development organizations in the West Bank, researching the sorry state of the Palestinian environment became, at some point, rather unsatisfying. “We wanted to move from writing reports on environmental destruction and stagnating development to actually doing something about it,” says Alice Gray. Over two years later, the group, along with a handful of volunteers, is creating an ecological oasis in almost impossible conditions. Bustan Qaraaqa (literally “Tortoise Garden”) is a Permaculture paradise in the making.
West Offering to Endorse Israeli Attack on Iran as Part of Settlement Deal
Israel Would Recognize Palestinian Land Claims
The Times of London is citing unnamed Western diplomats as saying that the deal between Israel and the West on the issue of Palestinian statehood is taking shape, and that Western officials are offering to back an Israeli attack on Iran in return for certain concessions, including the recognition of some of the Palestinians’ land claims.
The Times of London is citing unnamed Western diplomats as saying that the deal between Israel and the West on the issue of Palestinian statehood is taking shape, and that Western officials are offering to back an Israeli attack on Iran in return for certain concessions, including the recognition of some of the Palestinians’ land claims.
Israeli art students show up at interesting times
By Wayne Madsen
Jul 17, 2009
(WMR) -- The way the corporate media would have it believed is that Israeli “art students” who aggressively sell cheap art door-to-door, usually at federal office buildings and the houses of government employees, are merely traveling abroad after their military service in Israel to “see the world.” In fact, these “art students” are classic intelligence operatives who have appeared before and after major terrorist events and covert operations conducted by the Mossad.
Jul 17, 2009
(WMR) -- The way the corporate media would have it believed is that Israeli “art students” who aggressively sell cheap art door-to-door, usually at federal office buildings and the houses of government employees, are merely traveling abroad after their military service in Israel to “see the world.” In fact, these “art students” are classic intelligence operatives who have appeared before and after major terrorist events and covert operations conducted by the Mossad.
The Johnny Procedure
By Uri Avnery
".....WE SHALL not evade the hardest moral question of all: is it permissible to risk the lives of our soldiers in order to save the old people, women and children of the “enemy”? The answer of Assa Kasher, the ideologue of the “Most Moral Army in the World”, is unequivocal: it is absolutely forbidden to risk the lives of the soldiers. The most telling sentence in his entire essay is: “Therefore…the state must give preference to the lives of its soldiers above the lives of the (unarmed) neighbors of a terrorist."
".....WE SHALL not evade the hardest moral question of all: is it permissible to risk the lives of our soldiers in order to save the old people, women and children of the “enemy”? The answer of Assa Kasher, the ideologue of the “Most Moral Army in the World”, is unequivocal: it is absolutely forbidden to risk the lives of the soldiers. The most telling sentence in his entire essay is: “Therefore…the state must give preference to the lives of its soldiers above the lives of the (unarmed) neighbors of a terrorist."
"Watch What We Do, Not What We Say"
By ALEXANDER COCKBURN
"Watch what we do, not what we say,” was the famous advice Nixon’s first Attorney General, John Mitchell, gave the press at the onset of the Nixon presidency in 1969. It’s a handy piece of advice in the Age of Obama too, as we roll towards the end of his first six months in office. There’s the added difficulty that Obama likes to say two different things in the same speech, usually prefaced by his trade-mark “Let me be clear.”
"Watch what we do, not what we say,” was the famous advice Nixon’s first Attorney General, John Mitchell, gave the press at the onset of the Nixon presidency in 1969. It’s a handy piece of advice in the Age of Obama too, as we roll towards the end of his first six months in office. There’s the added difficulty that Obama likes to say two different things in the same speech, usually prefaced by his trade-mark “Let me be clear.”
Colonial feminism
Colonial Feminism
"Afghanistan is in deplorable condition. There's no disputing that." No, there is no disputing that. In fact, Afghanistan's conditions became more deplorable due to the lousy colonialist role played by the Feminist Majority and other colonial feminist organizations which believe that war and occupation are the best way to liberate "their women."
The Angry Arab
"Afghanistan is in deplorable condition. There's no disputing that." No, there is no disputing that. In fact, Afghanistan's conditions became more deplorable due to the lousy colonialist role played by the Feminist Majority and other colonial feminist organizations which believe that war and occupation are the best way to liberate "their women."
The Angry Arab
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Comments section going berserk!!!
Comments are showing on the dashboard but not in the comments section!Also, the count has stopped and I'm having my coffee (with cardamone) and laughing...Nothing is going to spoil this beautiful, sunny day for me!
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Statue of Liberty's Origins in Egypt
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi Had Imagined His Statue Lihting the Suez Canal
By Pierre Tristam
"No, Miss Liberty of Statue-of-Liberty fame wasn't always imagined as the scowling, linebacker-throated Midwestern matron of steely spiky Germanic stock that she is today. She was supposed to look like an Arab peasant, robed in the folds of Muslim precepts. She wasn't even supposed to be eternally standing at the entrance of New York Harbor, warning new arrivals to the New World about New Jersey to her right."
By Pierre Tristam
"No, Miss Liberty of Statue-of-Liberty fame wasn't always imagined as the scowling, linebacker-throated Midwestern matron of steely spiky Germanic stock that she is today. She was supposed to look like an Arab peasant, robed in the folds of Muslim precepts. She wasn't even supposed to be eternally standing at the entrance of New York Harbor, warning new arrivals to the New World about New Jersey to her right."
BDS: Ken Loach has withdrawn his film from the Melbourne International Film Festival
Israeli funding angers filmmaker
ENGLISH filmmaker Ken Loach has withdrawn his film Looking for Eric from the Melbourne International Film Festival because the festival receives funding from the Israeli Government.
Loach told the festival if it did not reconsider the sponsorship, he would not allow the festival to screen his film.
ENGLISH filmmaker Ken Loach has withdrawn his film Looking for Eric from the Melbourne International Film Festival because the festival receives funding from the Israeli Government.
Loach told the festival if it did not reconsider the sponsorship, he would not allow the festival to screen his film.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
BDS: No Ramallah gig for Leonard Cohen!
12 July 2009 - PACBI has been heartened by the untiring efforts of BDS activists in the US and UK in organizing demonstrations and pickets at Leonard Cohen’s performances in advance of his planned concert in Tel Aviv later this summer.
The call, “don’t Play Israel!” has been heard loud and clear.
After exhausting all attempts to convince Cohen to apply his avowed humanistic principles in a morally consistent way by refusing to entertain Israeli apartheid and whitewash its crimes, we called on all supporters of a just peace in our region to shun Cohen‘s concerts and CDs and to protest his appearances everywhere. In an open letter to Cohen in May, we warned that we considered his performance in Israel a form of complicity in its grave violations of international law; we reminded him that by violating the Palestinian boycott against Israel he would bring back the ugly memory of artists who violated the boycott against apartheid South Africa and insisted to perform at Sun City, drawing condemnation and revulsion by people of conscience the world over [1].
We are now pleased to announce that we have received confirmation from the Palestinian Prisoners‘ Club Society that they will not be hosting Leonard Cohen in Ramallah. A strong consensus has emerged among all parties concerned that Cohen is not welcome in Ramallah as long as he insists on performing in Tel Aviv, even though it had been claimed that Cohen would dedicate his concert in Palestine to the cause of Palestinian prisoners. Ramallah will not receive Cohen as long as he is intent on whitewashing Israel‘s colonial apartheid regime by performing in Israel.
The call, “don’t Play Israel!” has been heard loud and clear.
After exhausting all attempts to convince Cohen to apply his avowed humanistic principles in a morally consistent way by refusing to entertain Israeli apartheid and whitewash its crimes, we called on all supporters of a just peace in our region to shun Cohen‘s concerts and CDs and to protest his appearances everywhere. In an open letter to Cohen in May, we warned that we considered his performance in Israel a form of complicity in its grave violations of international law; we reminded him that by violating the Palestinian boycott against Israel he would bring back the ugly memory of artists who violated the boycott against apartheid South Africa and insisted to perform at Sun City, drawing condemnation and revulsion by people of conscience the world over [1].
We are now pleased to announce that we have received confirmation from the Palestinian Prisoners‘ Club Society that they will not be hosting Leonard Cohen in Ramallah. A strong consensus has emerged among all parties concerned that Cohen is not welcome in Ramallah as long as he insists on performing in Tel Aviv, even though it had been claimed that Cohen would dedicate his concert in Palestine to the cause of Palestinian prisoners. Ramallah will not receive Cohen as long as he is intent on whitewashing Israel‘s colonial apartheid regime by performing in Israel.
Cyber Zionism
"Reports from Jerusalem suggest the country's Foreign Ministry has unveiled plans for an "Internet warfare" team. The program recruits members from the public to write on websites in defense of Israel." But I wonder why those hired Zionist hoodlums don't write comments in defense of Israel on this website. What gives? Oh, I forgot: I don't allow comments anymore. Never mind.
The Angry Arab
The Angry Arab
The blood of innocent civilians
"The blood of innocent civilians
Make no mistake about it: we should all blame the US, EU, and the UN for the crashes of Iranian civilian airliners and the deaths of Iranian civilians in those crashes. The sanctions against Iran, as you know, prevent the sale of spare parts even for civilian airliners."
The Angry Arab
Make no mistake about it: we should all blame the US, EU, and the UN for the crashes of Iranian civilian airliners and the deaths of Iranian civilians in those crashes. The sanctions against Iran, as you know, prevent the sale of spare parts even for civilian airliners."
The Angry Arab
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Israel soldiers speak out on Gaza
A group of soldiers who took part in Israel's assault in Gaza say widespread abuses were committed against civilians under "permissive" rules of engagement.
"Another says: "People were not instructed to shoot at everyone they see, but they were told that from a certain distance when they approach a house, no matter who it is - even an old woman - take them down."
"Another says: "People were not instructed to shoot at everyone they see, but they were told that from a certain distance when they approach a house, no matter who it is - even an old woman - take them down."
Honduras
*Honduran leader 'could step down'
Interim Honduran leader, Roberto Micheletti, says he is willing to step down, but only if ousted President, Manuel Zelaya, does not return.
*Ousted Zelaya issues 'ultimatum'
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has issued an "ultimatum" to the interim government in Tegucigalpa.
*Why Honduras matters to Chavez
As the situation unfolds at pace in Honduras, state television in Venezuela is not letting up on its coverage.
Interim Honduran leader, Roberto Micheletti, says he is willing to step down, but only if ousted President, Manuel Zelaya, does not return.
*Ousted Zelaya issues 'ultimatum'
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has issued an "ultimatum" to the interim government in Tegucigalpa.
*Why Honduras matters to Chavez
As the situation unfolds at pace in Honduras, state television in Venezuela is not letting up on its coverage.
Egyptian jailed for insult poem
A civil servant in Egypt has been jailed for three years for insulting President Hosni Mubarak in a poem, according to newspaper reports.
Moneer Said Hanna's family said he wrote satirical poetry for fun, to entertain his work colleagues, and never meant to hurt anyone.
(Thanks Molly)
Moneer Said Hanna's family said he wrote satirical poetry for fun, to entertain his work colleagues, and never meant to hurt anyone.
(Thanks Molly)
Britain punishes Israel for Gaza naval bombardment
By Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The British Government has reacted to Israel's bombardment and invasion of Gaza last January by barring further exports of components used in naval gunships which took part in the three-week operation.
Britain has officially told Israel's embassy in London that it is revoking five licences for exports of equipment used in Saar 4.5 vessels because they violate UK and EU criteria precluding military sales which could be used for "internal repression".
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The British Government has reacted to Israel's bombardment and invasion of Gaza last January by barring further exports of components used in naval gunships which took part in the three-week operation.
Britain has officially told Israel's embassy in London that it is revoking five licences for exports of equipment used in Saar 4.5 vessels because they violate UK and EU criteria precluding military sales which could be used for "internal repression".
Iraqis have told U.S. military no patrols permitted in Baghdad
BAGHDAD — Two weeks after U.S. combat troops withdrew from Iraq's major cities, amid sporadic outbreaks of violence countrywide, Iraqi authorities aren't asking American forces for help. Although U.S. troops are "just a radio call away," in Baghdad and five other major urban areas, it appears the Iraqis haven't asked even once.
CIA hit teams
Philip Giraldi
My sources are telling me that the secret CIA program involving a Dick Cheney coverup that is currently in the news consisted of dispatching assassination teams to various countries to kill individuals who were known to be al-Qaeda supporters but who, for various reasons, had not been detained by the governments of the countries in which they were residing. A number of those being targeted were living freely in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The assassins were to be drawn from CIA’s own special ops group and also from delta force. They would enter the target countries as businessmen on false passports, some of which would be non-American, obtain weapons sent ahead through the diplomatic pouch to the US Embassy, kill the target, turn the weapons back over to an embassy contact, and leave the country. The program used delta soldiers initially because CIA SOG was fully engaged in Afghanistan. The first hit attempt was in Kenya, was botched, and the deltas had to be bailed out by the Ambassador who had not been briefed on what was going on under his nose. The program was suspended after that but never quite terminated.
My sources are telling me that the secret CIA program involving a Dick Cheney coverup that is currently in the news consisted of dispatching assassination teams to various countries to kill individuals who were known to be al-Qaeda supporters but who, for various reasons, had not been detained by the governments of the countries in which they were residing. A number of those being targeted were living freely in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The assassins were to be drawn from CIA’s own special ops group and also from delta force. They would enter the target countries as businessmen on false passports, some of which would be non-American, obtain weapons sent ahead through the diplomatic pouch to the US Embassy, kill the target, turn the weapons back over to an embassy contact, and leave the country. The program used delta soldiers initially because CIA SOG was fully engaged in Afghanistan. The first hit attempt was in Kenya, was botched, and the deltas had to be bailed out by the Ambassador who had not been briefed on what was going on under his nose. The program was suspended after that but never quite terminated.
Despite Jewish concerns, Obama keeps up pressure on Israel
President Barack Obama has concluded that Israel and the Palestinians are unlikely to achieve peace unless they're under external pressure to make the requisite compromises. Believing that a two-state solution is in the best interests of both parties and that time is running out for such a solution, the President is stepping up the pressure on both sides. That was Obama's message at a White House meeting on July 13 with representatives of leading Jewish-American organizations, some of whom have lately complained that the President is unfairly pressuring Israel to make concessions on West Bank settlements, while going easy on the Palestinians.
Tony Karon for the Times!
Tony Karon for the Times!
Gaza invasion: 'If you're not sure – kill'
Israeli soldiers' accounts of January siege betray little regard for civilians
Oakland Ross
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU
JERUSALEM – Israeli soldiers who invaded the Gaza Strip in January received no clear rules of engagement and operated with a shoot-first-ask-questions-later mentality that significantly increased the danger to civilians.
"If you're not sure – kill," confessed one of the soldiers who gave his testimony anonymously to an Israeli organization that gathers front-line reports from Israeli soldiers. "The firepower was insane. We went in, and the booms were just mad. The minute we got to our starting line, we simply began firing at suspect places. In urban warfare, everyone is your enemy. No innocents. It was simply urban warfare in every way."
Oakland Ross
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU
JERUSALEM – Israeli soldiers who invaded the Gaza Strip in January received no clear rules of engagement and operated with a shoot-first-ask-questions-later mentality that significantly increased the danger to civilians.
"If you're not sure – kill," confessed one of the soldiers who gave his testimony anonymously to an Israeli organization that gathers front-line reports from Israeli soldiers. "The firepower was insane. We went in, and the booms were just mad. The minute we got to our starting line, we simply began firing at suspect places. In urban warfare, everyone is your enemy. No innocents. It was simply urban warfare in every way."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Yes, Zionist hoodlums: Joseph Massad got tenure
This has become like a TV series on As'ad's blog and it's fun but I'm not getting over Joseph wearing "shining Prada shoes" (shudder!) any time soon..
Just kidding, I have the deepest respect for the gentleman!..
Just kidding, I have the deepest respect for the gentleman!..
Israel to keep only Hebrew names on road signs
JERUSALEM (AFP) – The Israeli transport ministry said on Monday that it will get rid of Arabic and English names for cities and towns on road signs, keeping only the Hebrew terms.
"Niggers! go back to Harlem"
"The word "nigger" features prominently in the videos taken by Eddie Beckford and his wife Lura, a Messianic Christian couple living in the desert town of Arad(Israel). The videos, going back to 2005, show anywhere from a handful to a mob of local Gur Hassidim harassing them and other Messianics in town. Eddie Beckford, 61, is a black American, hence the racial slur.
"Nigger, go back to Harlem!" chants one gleeful man in the midst of hundreds of shouting, singing, fired-up hassidim who surrounded Beckford's storefront chess-club-cum-Christian-mission on Shabbat, June 17, 2005. Eddie was filming from inside the club while about 10 other fearful Messianics were praying.
"Come here you stupid nigger!" another hassid calls out. "Nigger bastard!" yells another. They curse in English, usually accented. The police keep the crowd a short distance away from the club; otherwise they do nothing.
-------------
So sorry to hear that but I hope you don't mind me asking. What the hell took you there?
"Nigger, go back to Harlem!" chants one gleeful man in the midst of hundreds of shouting, singing, fired-up hassidim who surrounded Beckford's storefront chess-club-cum-Christian-mission on Shabbat, June 17, 2005. Eddie was filming from inside the club while about 10 other fearful Messianics were praying.
"Come here you stupid nigger!" another hassid calls out. "Nigger bastard!" yells another. They curse in English, usually accented. The police keep the crowd a short distance away from the club; otherwise they do nothing.
-------------
So sorry to hear that but I hope you don't mind me asking. What the hell took you there?
The revolution will be watched
"A scary anecdote from Iran. A trusted colleague – who is married to an Iranian-American and would thus prefer to stay anonymous – has told me of a very disturbing episode that happened to her friend, another Iranian-American, as she was flying to Iran last week. On passing through the immigration control at the airport in Tehran, she was asked by the officers if she has a Facebook account. When she said “no”, the officers pulled up a laptop and searched for her name on Facebook. They found her account and noted down the names of her Facebook friends."
Antony Loewenstein
Antony Loewenstein
Qaradawi on jihad, Al-Qa'ida etc.....
"His criticism of al Qaeda is not new -- he condemned 9/11 and has engaged in a number of public polemics with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and with the leaders of al Qaeda. But the timing of this book merits attention. His views generally closely mirror trends within wider mass public opinion will reach a far wider swathe of the Arab mainstream and will likely have far greater impact than did the internal revisions which received such attention in the West. His intervention strengthens the impression that al Qaeda's extreme form of salafi-jihadism is on the wane in the Arab world, but political Islam and the spirit of muqawama (resistance) remains strong........."
"Qaradawi also offers an intriguing broadening of the concept of jihad, away from violence to the realm of ideas, media, and communication -- which he calls the "jihad of the age." The weapons of this jihad should be TV, the internet, email and the like rather than guns. Persuading Muslims of the message of Islam and the importance of this jihad in the path of God should be the first priority, he argues: "the jihad of the age, a great jihad, and a long jihad." He also goes into great detail about the different forms of jihad, the need for pragmatism, and the diverse nature of possible relations between Muslims and non-Muslims."
"Qaradawi also offers an intriguing broadening of the concept of jihad, away from violence to the realm of ideas, media, and communication -- which he calls the "jihad of the age." The weapons of this jihad should be TV, the internet, email and the like rather than guns. Persuading Muslims of the message of Islam and the importance of this jihad in the path of God should be the first priority, he argues: "the jihad of the age, a great jihad, and a long jihad." He also goes into great detail about the different forms of jihad, the need for pragmatism, and the diverse nature of possible relations between Muslims and non-Muslims."
Max Blumenthal is back:Feeling the Hate in Tel Aviv -- The Sequel to the Video YouTube Censored
"Unbeknownst to Hartman, who only attempted to interview me days after publishing his review and then published a piece questioning whether I had been “fueling anti-Semitism,” I had already filmed my next segment in Tel Aviv. (And I had already spent an evening, sans camera, with an Israeli hippie on a balcony in Florentin, though he told me through the purple haze that the Palestinian people do not exist and should be immediately transferred to Jordan).
Now that I have released my footage from Tel Aviv, I wonder what Hartman and other, even more insecure critics of my first “Feeling the Hate” video will do to ensure that the sequel does not “humiliate the Jewish people.” Will they rely on the same old hasbara?"
Max Blumenthal
The settlements are destroying the enviornment
The Blue Velvet Hills of My Youth Have Been Destroyed
The Guardian
11 July 2009
"I can remember the appearance of the hills around Ramallah in 1979, before any Jewish settlement came to be established there. In the spring of that year I walked north from Ramallah, where I live, to the nearby village of A’yn Qenya and up the pine-forested hill. A gazelle leapt ahead of me. When I reached the top I could see hills spread below me like crumpled blue velvet, with the hamlets of Janiya and Deir Ammar huddled between its folds."
The Guardian
11 July 2009
"I can remember the appearance of the hills around Ramallah in 1979, before any Jewish settlement came to be established there. In the spring of that year I walked north from Ramallah, where I live, to the nearby village of A’yn Qenya and up the pine-forested hill. A gazelle leapt ahead of me. When I reached the top I could see hills spread below me like crumpled blue velvet, with the hamlets of Janiya and Deir Ammar huddled between its folds."
Barghouthi in Bil’in condems the use of noxious smell water
Ramallah, 12-07-09: At Bil’in’s weekly nonviolent protest against the Separation Wall this Friday, the Israeli military shot teargas, sound bombs, rubber coated steel bullets, and a water cannon that shot darban (“bad smell water”) on the protestors.
Mustafa Barghouthi MP, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative was at the protest, showing solidarity and support to the long-term commitment of the peace activists and to mark the 7 year anniversary of PNI, further providing medical care and ambulances from Palestinian Medical Relief Society -the grassroots medical NGO that he presides- to treat injured protestors.
Mustafa Barghouthi MP, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative was at the protest, showing solidarity and support to the long-term commitment of the peace activists and to mark the 7 year anniversary of PNI, further providing medical care and ambulances from Palestinian Medical Relief Society -the grassroots medical NGO that he presides- to treat injured protestors.
A Palestinan state: Not Willing to Wait
Palestinians and Israelis hold their collective breath as EU’s Solana calls for a deadline for Palestinian Statehood.
Speaking Saturday at a lecture in London, Solana said the UN Security Council should recognize a Palestinian state even if no peace accord had been reached between Israel and the Palestinians by a predetermined deadline.
Palestine Monitor
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But the Israelis as expected go into fits..
Speaking Saturday at a lecture in London, Solana said the UN Security Council should recognize a Palestinian state even if no peace accord had been reached between Israel and the Palestinians by a predetermined deadline.
Palestine Monitor
---------
But the Israelis as expected go into fits..
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Thinking Outside of the Secular Box -Gilad Atzmon
The Left and Islam
"As tragic as it may sound to some, we are not as free as we believe ourselves to be. We are not exactly the author of most of our thoughts and realizations. Our human conditions are imposed on us; we are a product of our culture, language ideological indoctrination and in many cases, victims of our intellectual laziness. Like the semi-fictional American female activist above, in most cases we are trapped within our preconceived ideas and that stops us from seeing things for what they really are. Accordingly, we tend to interpret and in most cases misinterpret remote cultures employing our own value system and moral code."
(Counterpunch, thanks v)
"As tragic as it may sound to some, we are not as free as we believe ourselves to be. We are not exactly the author of most of our thoughts and realizations. Our human conditions are imposed on us; we are a product of our culture, language ideological indoctrination and in many cases, victims of our intellectual laziness. Like the semi-fictional American female activist above, in most cases we are trapped within our preconceived ideas and that stops us from seeing things for what they really are. Accordingly, we tend to interpret and in most cases misinterpret remote cultures employing our own value system and moral code."
(Counterpunch, thanks v)
Netanyahu's paranoia extends to 'self-hating Jews' Emanuel and Axelrod
"Netanyahu appears to be suffering from confusion and paranoia. He is convinced that the media are after him, that his aides are leaking information against him and that the American administration wants him out of office. Two months after his visit to Washington, he is still finding it difficult to communication normally with the White House. To appreciate the depth of his paranoia, it is enough to hear how he refers to Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod, Obama's senior aides: as "self-hating Jews."
(Haaretz)
(Haaretz)
Which smear has greater effect--self-hating Jew or anti-Semite?
Helena Cobban asked in an email yesterday-- apropos of the report that Netanyahu has called powerful Jewish aides to Obama "self-hating Jews"--which is worse: to be called an anti-Semite or a self-hating Jew? Which calumny is more effective in preventing criticism of Israel? I say: to be called an anti-Semite. My reasoning:
(Mondoweiss)
And here's Helena Cobban's article
(Justworldnews)
(Mondoweiss)
And here's Helena Cobban's article
(Justworldnews)
A pollster's recommendations on how to sell Americans on the idea of Israeli settlements.
Chosen Words
"How do you sell the American public on the idea that Israel has the right to maintain or even expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank? Be positive. Turn the issue away from settlements and toward peace. Invoke ethnic cleansing.
Those are three of the recommendations made by Frank Luntz, a political consultant and pollster, in an internal study he wrote for the Washington-based group The Israel Project (TIP) on effective ways to talk to Americans about the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The 117-page study, titled The Israel Project's 2009 Global Language Dictionary, was commissioned by the nonprofit group, which aims to promote Israel's side of the story, and leaked to NEWSWEEK. It includes chapters with such titles as "How to Talk About Palestinian Self Government and Prosperity" and "The Language of Tackling a Nuclear Iran."
(Newsweek)
"How do you sell the American public on the idea that Israel has the right to maintain or even expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank? Be positive. Turn the issue away from settlements and toward peace. Invoke ethnic cleansing.
Those are three of the recommendations made by Frank Luntz, a political consultant and pollster, in an internal study he wrote for the Washington-based group The Israel Project (TIP) on effective ways to talk to Americans about the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The 117-page study, titled The Israel Project's 2009 Global Language Dictionary, was commissioned by the nonprofit group, which aims to promote Israel's side of the story, and leaked to NEWSWEEK. It includes chapters with such titles as "How to Talk About Palestinian Self Government and Prosperity" and "The Language of Tackling a Nuclear Iran."
(Newsweek)
'Newsweek' is namby-pamby on the Israel lobby
Yesterday we gave Newsweek a wet kiss for publishing the Israel Project's sickmaking recommendations on how to sell settlements to the American public--the idea that removing them is "ethnic cleansing." Well I'm having weird feelings the morning after, cause here's Newsweek's article accompanying the scoop, by Dan Ephron. Best thing about it is the title: "Chosen Words," a beautiful play on the Chosen People. After that it's all downhill.
(Mondoweiss)
(Mondoweiss)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Elegance wasn't meant to make one look like a mafioso! Or a dork! Or a jerk!
Only fashion was!..
BTW, it reminds me, I need a haircut, thanks Padre...
(Taken From the Sartorialist, a site that I visit now and then for a reason that I ignore ( maybe I'm masochistic after all, lol.) because I really hate everything (almost) about it especially, ESPECIALLY the thousands of INSANE fashionistas who comment there!! They seem to pass away in admiration of the slightest voile shirt or cutt-off tuxedo pants! Shudder!)
NB* Hang on! Is that guy wearing a bracelet? Is HE?!! HE IS!!
( It's Sunday, ok??!! We're entitled to a bit of fun, Comrades!)
Cynthia McKinney talks about her experience
Cynthia McKinney is a former US Representative who served from 1993-2003 and from 2005-2008 . She was the 2008 Green Party presidential nominee and has been an active member of the Free Gaza Movement. In 2004, The Backbone Campaign awarded her the fifth annual Backbone Award "because she was willing to challenge the Bush administration and called for an investigation into 9/11 when few others dared to air their criticism and questions." Here, Ishmahil Blagrove, Jr. talks to McKinney about her experience with the situation in Gaza and her views on today’s political landscape.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Israeli Barrier: Security or Apartheid? - Jeff Halper
Jeff Halper, co-founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, explains why he believes Israel's "separation barrier" enforces apartheid between Israelis and Palestinians. He compares the Israeli West-Bank barrier to the Berlin Wall.
*The full video is here:Jeff Halper: Countdown to Apartheid in Israel
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Btw, I was waiting for this video for quite a while since I attended the lecture but missed the first 30 min. A must!
Mourn on the 4th of July
John Pilger for the Newstatesman
"Liberals say that the United States is once again a “nation of moral ideals”, but behind the façade little has changed. With his government of warmongers, Wall Street cronies and polluters from the Bush and Clinton eras, Barack Obama is merely upholding the myths of a divine America"
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Yes fleming ..Finally you can lash out at Pilger and insult "mullah tgia"! But could you at least respect my rank and call me RAHATULLAH tgia? Please!
"Liberals say that the United States is once again a “nation of moral ideals”, but behind the façade little has changed. With his government of warmongers, Wall Street cronies and polluters from the Bush and Clinton eras, Barack Obama is merely upholding the myths of a divine America"
------------
Yes fleming ..Finally you can lash out at Pilger and insult "mullah tgia"! But could you at least respect my rank and call me RAHATULLAH tgia? Please!
Obama’s War: Thousands of Marines Battle in Helmand in Major U.S. Offensive
In Afghanistan, a powerful truck bomb killed at least 25 people today, including up to 16 schoolchildren, in a province just south of Kabul. The latest bloodshed coincided with a major American military offensive in Helmand province in the south. US forces last week launched what’s being described as the largest Marine offensive since the Vietnam War. Some 4,000 Marines and hundreds of Afghan troops are targeting areas in the Helmand River Valley to wrest it from Taliban control. We go to Kabul to speak with Wall Street Journal journalist, Anand Gopal.
World Leaders, Protesters Gather in Italy for G-8; Global Financial Crisis & Climate Change Top Agenda
President Obama arrived in Italy from Moscow this morning where leaders from eight of the world’s richest nations are gathering in the town of L’Aquila, for the annual Group of Eight summit. The three-day meeting is expected see high-level talks on the global economic crisis, climate change, food security and Iran. Protesters are also gathering for the G-8. We speak with Loretta Napoleoni, author of “Rogue Economics: Capitalism’s New Reality.”
Zelaya's rare broadcast!
In Rare U.S. Broadcast, Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya Discusses Coup, Costa Rica Talks, U.S. Role
"Talks between the ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the leaders of last week’s military coup begin today in Costa Rica. Shortly before leaving Washington DC for Costa Rica, Zelaya sat down with us for a rare U.S. television interview. He discusses how military coup forces forced him out, the upcoming talks in Costa Rica, his domestic policies in Honduras, the role of the United States and more."
Democracy now
"Talks between the ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the leaders of last week’s military coup begin today in Costa Rica. Shortly before leaving Washington DC for Costa Rica, Zelaya sat down with us for a rare U.S. television interview. He discusses how military coup forces forced him out, the upcoming talks in Costa Rica, his domestic policies in Honduras, the role of the United States and more."
Democracy now
Happy (third) Birthday to the Palestinian Pundit!
Guess What? It is Palestinian Pundit's Third Anniversary!
By Tony Sayegh
"It is hard to believe, but three years have passed by since the start of P.P. The first post on July 9, 2006 dealt with Gaza and was titled, “No, This Is Not a Warsaw Ghetto, This is Gaza Now!” Three years later, Gaza is in a much worse shape, thanks to the total, medieval, siege imposed and enforced jointly by the IOF and their new ally, the Pharaoh of Egypt."
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Happy birthday brothers!
By Tony Sayegh
"It is hard to believe, but three years have passed by since the start of P.P. The first post on July 9, 2006 dealt with Gaza and was titled, “No, This Is Not a Warsaw Ghetto, This is Gaza Now!” Three years later, Gaza is in a much worse shape, thanks to the total, medieval, siege imposed and enforced jointly by the IOF and their new ally, the Pharaoh of Egypt."
-----------
Happy birthday brothers!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
After Honduras coup outburst, Chavez works in wings
CARACAS (Reuters) - When the army ousted Honduras' president, his Venezuelan ally Hugo Chavez at first let loose with typical ire by blaming Washington and threatening military action.
But then he went uncharacteristically quiet.
But then he went uncharacteristically quiet.
French tourists seen as world's worst: survey
"It's mainly the fact that they speak little or no English when they're abroad, and they don't speak much of the local language," Expedia Marketing Director Timothee de Roux told radio station France Info.
The Japanese ranked top of the Best Tourist survey, with the British and the Germans judged the best of the Europeans.
But French tourists received some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on holiday."
---------
Apart from the language barrier issue, from what I've experienced myself over 30 years living there, if they're as impolite abroad as they are at home, then it's no wonder! I can attribute 90% of the reasons that made me, finally, leave that country( Paris to be accurate) to the general culture of rudeness and uncivility! Too much accumulated hurt!..On the other hand and to be fair, I do hear many Australians who have visited the country say that it wasn't their experience at all. I tend to attribute that to the fact that they especially like Australians..Can't say as much about the Americans though!
The Japanese ranked top of the Best Tourist survey, with the British and the Germans judged the best of the Europeans.
But French tourists received some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on holiday."
---------
Apart from the language barrier issue, from what I've experienced myself over 30 years living there, if they're as impolite abroad as they are at home, then it's no wonder! I can attribute 90% of the reasons that made me, finally, leave that country( Paris to be accurate) to the general culture of rudeness and uncivility! Too much accumulated hurt!..On the other hand and to be fair, I do hear many Australians who have visited the country say that it wasn't their experience at all. I tend to attribute that to the fact that they especially like Australians..Can't say as much about the Americans though!
U.S. mortgage fraud 'rampant' and growing
SAN FRANCISCO, July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. mortgage fraud reports jumped 36 percent last year as desperate homeowners and industry professionals tried to maintain their standard of living from the boom years, the FBI said on Tuesday.
Suspicious activity reports rose to 63,713 in fiscal year 2008, which ended last September, from 46,717 the year before. California and Florida, centers of the housing bust, had the highest numbers of suspicious reports as foreclosures jumped, the stock market dropped and credit dried up.
Suspicious activity reports rose to 63,713 in fiscal year 2008, which ended last September, from 46,717 the year before. California and Florida, centers of the housing bust, had the highest numbers of suspicious reports as foreclosures jumped, the stock market dropped and credit dried up.
Suicide attacks kill dozens in northern Iraq
MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Bombs in Baghdad and northern Iraq killed at least 41 people and wounded more than 80 on Thursday, police said, just over a week after U.S. troops handed security in city centers to local forces.
Reuters
Reuters
Boycott of Israel--always .
The council of Egyptian writers renewed its position on strict boycott of the Zionist usurping entity.
Via the Angry Arab
-----------
Sorry but it's in Arabic..
Via the Angry Arab
-----------
Sorry but it's in Arabic..
Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models of Statehood and Paths to Peace
Mapping Models of Statehood Conference at York Univ
The purpose of this conference is to explore which state models offer promising paths to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, respecting the rights to self-determination of both Israelis/Jews and Palestinians. Mindful of the fraught context in which debates relating to Israel/Palestine unfold, the conference aims to open up measured and thoughtful conversations on the range of possible paths out of the current impasse.
Participants:
* Ali Abunimah
* Omar Barghouti
* Efrat Ben-Ze'ev
* Meron Benvenisti
* George E. Bisharat
* Uri Davis
* Marc H. Ellis
* Jeff Halper
* Jeff Handmaker
* David Kretzmer
* Smadar Lavie
* Ian Lustick
* Michael Mandel
* Mazen Masri
* Mazin B. Qumsiyeh
* Dan Rabinowitz
* Yakov M. Rabkin
* Nadim N. Rouhana
* Gershon Shafir
* Nimer Sultany
* Rafeef Ziadah
The purpose of this conference is to explore which state models offer promising paths to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, respecting the rights to self-determination of both Israelis/Jews and Palestinians. Mindful of the fraught context in which debates relating to Israel/Palestine unfold, the conference aims to open up measured and thoughtful conversations on the range of possible paths out of the current impasse.
Participants:
* Ali Abunimah
* Omar Barghouti
* Efrat Ben-Ze'ev
* Meron Benvenisti
* George E. Bisharat
* Uri Davis
* Marc H. Ellis
* Jeff Halper
* Jeff Handmaker
* David Kretzmer
* Smadar Lavie
* Ian Lustick
* Michael Mandel
* Mazen Masri
* Mazin B. Qumsiyeh
* Dan Rabinowitz
* Yakov M. Rabkin
* Nadim N. Rouhana
* Gershon Shafir
* Nimer Sultany
* Rafeef Ziadah
Zionist Betar thugs(Jewish Defense League) vandalize the Resistances bookstore in Paris
Thousands of books drenched in cooking oil – that is the latest exploit of the Zionist fanatics who regularly attack property and people in Paris and get away with it.
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I'm familiar with their actions! An ultra nationalistic, fascistic, extremely violent gang!!
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I'm familiar with their actions! An ultra nationalistic, fascistic, extremely violent gang!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Another day at an Israeli Checkpoint
A queue at Qalandya checkpoint,
"This is the scene that 30 year old May B and here two children plunge into every morning as they make their trek to work and school. For May it is the same routine every day; first she drops her husband off at work in the city centre at about 8 am then she makes her way to her children’s kindergarten and finally she arrives at her East Jerusalem office sometime after 9.30."
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Once there was checkpoint Charlie, now there's checkpoint Shlomo!
Michael Parenti: The Honduras Coup: Is Obama Innocent?
By Michael Parenti
Is President Obama innocent of the events occurring in Honduras, specifically the coup launched by the Honduran military resulting in the abduction and forced deportation of democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya? Obama has denounced the coup and demanded that the rules of democracy be honored. Still, several troubling questions remain.
First, almost all the senior Honduran military officers active in the coup are graduates of the Pentagon's School of the Americas (known to many of us as "School of the Assassins"). The Honduran military is trained, advised, equipped, indoctrinated, and financed by the United States national security state. The generals would never have dared to move without tacit consent from the White House or the Pentagon and CIA.
Second, if Obama was not directly involved, then he should be faulted for having no firm command over those US operatives who were. The US military must have known about the plot and US military intelligence must have known and must have reported it back to Washington. Why did Obama's people who had communicated with the coup leaders fail to blow the whistle on them? Why did they not expose and denounce the plot, thereby possibly foiling the entire venture? Instead the US kept quiet about it, a silence that in effect, even if not in intent, served as an act of complicity.
Third, immediately after the coup, Obama stated that he was against using violence to effect change and that it was up to the various parties in Honduras to resolve their differences. His remarks were a rather tepid and muted response to a gangster putsch.
Fourth, Obama never expected there would be an enormous uproar over the Honduras coup. He hastily joined the outcry against the perpetrators only when it became evident that opposition to the putschists was nearly universal throughout Latin America and elsewhere in the world.
Fifth, Obama still has had nothing to say about the many other acts of repression attendant with the coup perpetrated by Honduran military and police: kidnappings, beatings, disappearances, attacks on demonstrators, shutting down the internet and suppressing the few small critical media outlets that exist in Honduras.
Sixth, as James Petras reminded me, Obama has refused to meet with President Zelaya. He dislikes Zelaya mostly for his close and unexpected affiliation with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. And because of his egalitarian reformist efforts Zelaya is hated by the Honduran oligarchs, the same oligarchs who for many years have been close to and splendidly served by the US empire builders.
Seventh, under a law passed by the US Congress, any democratic government that is the victim of a military takeover is to be denied US military and economic aid. Obama still has not cut off the economic and military aid to Honduras as he is required to do under this law. This is perhaps the most telling datum regarding whose side he is on.
As president, Obama has considerable influence and immense resources that might well have thwarted the perpetrators and perhaps could still be applied against them with real effect. As of now his stance on Honduras is too little too late, as is the case with too many other things he does.
Znet
Is President Obama innocent of the events occurring in Honduras, specifically the coup launched by the Honduran military resulting in the abduction and forced deportation of democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya? Obama has denounced the coup and demanded that the rules of democracy be honored. Still, several troubling questions remain.
First, almost all the senior Honduran military officers active in the coup are graduates of the Pentagon's School of the Americas (known to many of us as "School of the Assassins"). The Honduran military is trained, advised, equipped, indoctrinated, and financed by the United States national security state. The generals would never have dared to move without tacit consent from the White House or the Pentagon and CIA.
Second, if Obama was not directly involved, then he should be faulted for having no firm command over those US operatives who were. The US military must have known about the plot and US military intelligence must have known and must have reported it back to Washington. Why did Obama's people who had communicated with the coup leaders fail to blow the whistle on them? Why did they not expose and denounce the plot, thereby possibly foiling the entire venture? Instead the US kept quiet about it, a silence that in effect, even if not in intent, served as an act of complicity.
Third, immediately after the coup, Obama stated that he was against using violence to effect change and that it was up to the various parties in Honduras to resolve their differences. His remarks were a rather tepid and muted response to a gangster putsch.
Fourth, Obama never expected there would be an enormous uproar over the Honduras coup. He hastily joined the outcry against the perpetrators only when it became evident that opposition to the putschists was nearly universal throughout Latin America and elsewhere in the world.
Fifth, Obama still has had nothing to say about the many other acts of repression attendant with the coup perpetrated by Honduran military and police: kidnappings, beatings, disappearances, attacks on demonstrators, shutting down the internet and suppressing the few small critical media outlets that exist in Honduras.
Sixth, as James Petras reminded me, Obama has refused to meet with President Zelaya. He dislikes Zelaya mostly for his close and unexpected affiliation with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. And because of his egalitarian reformist efforts Zelaya is hated by the Honduran oligarchs, the same oligarchs who for many years have been close to and splendidly served by the US empire builders.
Seventh, under a law passed by the US Congress, any democratic government that is the victim of a military takeover is to be denied US military and economic aid. Obama still has not cut off the economic and military aid to Honduras as he is required to do under this law. This is perhaps the most telling datum regarding whose side he is on.
As president, Obama has considerable influence and immense resources that might well have thwarted the perpetrators and perhaps could still be applied against them with real effect. As of now his stance on Honduras is too little too late, as is the case with too many other things he does.
Znet
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Angry Arab redux
The dumbest analysis of Middle East affairs
"I have said before that Jeffrey Goldberg is--how do I put it delicately--the least intelligent writer on Middle East affairs these days. Here is his latest: "President Obama’s skills and charisma just might bring Sunni Arabs and Israeli Jews together, but he will be helped inestimably if he considers that the road to peace runs not through Jerusalem but through Karbala. Consider the possibility of a grand, if necessarily implicit, Jewish-Sunni alliance as a gift to Obama from his predecessor." This is rather amusing. That they think that the King of Jordan or Husni Mubarak's alliance with Israel represent the public mood of average Sunnis in the Arab world. I am sure that my (Sunni Beiruti) mother would not be amused to learn that she is now aligned with Israel. In fact, my mother (an Arab nationalist at heart) was just telling me last night: that she was quite unhappy with my article agaisnt the Iranian regime this week. She told me that she nows supports Iran against the Arab governments."
"I have said before that Jeffrey Goldberg is--how do I put it delicately--the least intelligent writer on Middle East affairs these days. Here is his latest: "President Obama’s skills and charisma just might bring Sunni Arabs and Israeli Jews together, but he will be helped inestimably if he considers that the road to peace runs not through Jerusalem but through Karbala. Consider the possibility of a grand, if necessarily implicit, Jewish-Sunni alliance as a gift to Obama from his predecessor." This is rather amusing. That they think that the King of Jordan or Husni Mubarak's alliance with Israel represent the public mood of average Sunnis in the Arab world. I am sure that my (Sunni Beiruti) mother would not be amused to learn that she is now aligned with Israel. In fact, my mother (an Arab nationalist at heart) was just telling me last night: that she was quite unhappy with my article agaisnt the Iranian regime this week. She told me that she nows supports Iran against the Arab governments."
The Angry Arab on the US conspiracy on Iran
"The US conspiracy in Iran
I am now more convinced than ever that the US and Western governments were far more involved in Iranian affairs during the demonstrations than was assumed by many. Let us make it clear: the US, Western, and Saudi intervention in Iranian affairs does not necessarily implicate the Iranian protesters themselves. And even if some of them were involved in those conspiracies, I do believe that the majority of Iranian protesters were motivated by domestic issues and legitimate grievances against an oppressive government. But I was just looking at US and Western media coverage of Honduras: where the situation is rather analogous and you can't escape the conclusion that the US media were involved with the US government of a conspiracy the details of which will be revealed years from now. I mean, there is twitter in Honduras and there is internet there and yet the situation is not getting eve 5% of the wall-to-wall coverage that the Iranian demonstrations were getting. Just as the Iranian Supreme Leader is wrong to assume that all the upheaval in Iran was orchestrated by the outside, other are wrong when they assume that the upheavals were not in any way linked to outside conspiracies against the regime. Read the book All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer one more time to know what I mean. (thanks Dale)
I am now more convinced than ever that the US and Western governments were far more involved in Iranian affairs during the demonstrations than was assumed by many. Let us make it clear: the US, Western, and Saudi intervention in Iranian affairs does not necessarily implicate the Iranian protesters themselves. And even if some of them were involved in those conspiracies, I do believe that the majority of Iranian protesters were motivated by domestic issues and legitimate grievances against an oppressive government. But I was just looking at US and Western media coverage of Honduras: where the situation is rather analogous and you can't escape the conclusion that the US media were involved with the US government of a conspiracy the details of which will be revealed years from now. I mean, there is twitter in Honduras and there is internet there and yet the situation is not getting eve 5% of the wall-to-wall coverage that the Iranian demonstrations were getting. Just as the Iranian Supreme Leader is wrong to assume that all the upheaval in Iran was orchestrated by the outside, other are wrong when they assume that the upheavals were not in any way linked to outside conspiracies against the regime. Read the book All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer one more time to know what I mean. (thanks Dale)
The Honduran Drama
Justin Raimondo
"The irony here is that the Honduran militarists, and their American supporters, are claiming the new regime is a bulwark against the evil influence of the socialist Hugo Chavez, from whose clutches the army saved Honduras. So what about Lopez’s private property – or has the Micheletti regime gone socialist?"
"The irony here is that the Honduran militarists, and their American supporters, are claiming the new regime is a bulwark against the evil influence of the socialist Hugo Chavez, from whose clutches the army saved Honduras. So what about Lopez’s private property – or has the Micheletti regime gone socialist?"
Cynthia McKinney and the Kidnapping of the Spirit of Humanity
Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney returned home today after 6 days being held by the government of Israel while attempting with 21 colleagues to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza on the vessel, the Spirit of Humanity.
“Don’t sign Miss Cynthia don’t sign!” So chanted a boisterous group of Palestinian teens and pre-teens in Beirut’s Shatila Refugee Camp demonstrating support for the Freegaza Humanity boat abductees on the 4th of July.
Counterpunch
Israel Calls on Ultra-Orthodox Jews to Stop "Arab Takeover"
Jonathan Cook from Nazareth
"Israel’s housing minister called for strict segregation between the country’s Jewish and Arab populations last week as he unveiled plans to move large numbers of fundamentalist religious Jews to Israel’s north to prevent what he described as an “Arab takeover” of the region.
Ariel Atias said he considered it a “national mission” to bring ultra-Orthodox Jews -- or Haredim, distinctive for their formal black and white clothing -- into Arab areas, and announced that he would also create the north’s first exclusively Haredi town.
"Israel’s housing minister called for strict segregation between the country’s Jewish and Arab populations last week as he unveiled plans to move large numbers of fundamentalist religious Jews to Israel’s north to prevent what he described as an “Arab takeover” of the region.
Ariel Atias said he considered it a “national mission” to bring ultra-Orthodox Jews -- or Haredim, distinctive for their formal black and white clothing -- into Arab areas, and announced that he would also create the north’s first exclusively Haredi town.
John Pilger on Honduras, Iran, Gaza, the Corporate Media, Obama’s Wars and Resisting the American Empire
"Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker, John Pilger, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on on Honduras, Iran, Gaza, the media, health care, and Obama’s wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pilger has has written close to a dozen books and made over 50 documentaries on a range of subjects including struggles around the world for a more just and peaceful society and against Western military and economic intervention."
Democracy Now
Democracy Now
Monday, July 6, 2009
A bug in the system
As I told you last week I had emailed the support at JS-Kit to advise them that it was not possible to use the feature ban/unban anymore. They came back to me this morning:
"Yes, unfortunately I should confirm that you have pointed us to a bug in our system. I've forwarded this issue to our development team and I hope the solution will be available soon."
So there, fleming (huffing and puffing in the 'blocked' department and calling me a "mullah, intolerant to honest and dissenting views").
"Yes, unfortunately I should confirm that you have pointed us to a bug in our system. I've forwarded this issue to our development team and I hope the solution will be available soon."
So there, fleming (huffing and puffing in the 'blocked' department and calling me a "mullah, intolerant to honest and dissenting views").
Honduras ousted from alliance as Zelaya heads home
THE Organisation of American States has expelled Honduras in reaction to last week's military coup, which ousted the president, Manuel Zelaya.
Mr Zelaya, who was exiled by the coup leaders, expressed his intention to return to his home country yesterday.
Mr Zelaya, who was exiled by the coup leaders, expressed his intention to return to his home country yesterday.
Peaceful, green Costa Rica rated world's happiest country
Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, while Australia comes third, a survey has found.
The British group the New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 per cent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighs life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.
Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.
The Sydney Morning Herald
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I could understand that Moyhabin and Mara are citizens? Could be wrong though.
The British group the New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 per cent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighs life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.
Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.
The Sydney Morning Herald
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I could understand that Moyhabin and Mara are citizens? Could be wrong though.
How to deal with America’s empire of bases
Along with postcards of cowboys riding jackalopes and giant berries on flatcars, there's a brand new entry in the American gigantism sweepstakes: an embassy complex to be built in Islamabad, Pakistan, for -- if you assume the normal cost overruns on such projects -- what's likely to be close to a billion dollars. If that doesn't make the U.S. number one in the imperial hubris footrace for all eternity, what will? The question is: with its projected "large military and intelligence contingent," and its "surge" of diplomats, will that embassy also issue the largest visas on the planet?
Clerical Leaders Defy Ayatollah on Iran Election
An important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday, an act of defiance against the country’s supreme leader and the most public sign of a major split in the country’s clerical establishment.
Saudis give nod to Israeli raid on Iran
The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials.
“The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.
The Times
“The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.
The Times
Gideon Levy: Our IDF
"Combat is the best, my brother, as the famous bumper sticker reads. It's a good thing we have Shayetet 13. Operating at the crack of dawn - or was it before nightfall? - the daring naval commandos fearlessly took control of a rusty, rickety, unarmed boat bobbing in the middle of the sea. That's exactly why we have a naval commando force - to take control of ships offering humanitarian aid."
Haaretz
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And the fake "angry Arab, As'ad"' continue untroubled on Haaretz' comments section!
Haaretz
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And the fake "angry Arab, As'ad"' continue untroubled on Haaretz' comments section!
Has Barack Obama become the bane of Israeli Jews?
He swept to power with the support of 78% of American Jews. But has Barack Obama become the bane of Israeli Jews?
A gulf between American and Israeli Jews was evident even before Obama moved into the White House. Just a third of Israelis would have endorsed him had they been allowed to vote, polling indicated, while almost half would have chosen John McCain.
A gulf between American and Israeli Jews was evident even before Obama moved into the White House. Just a third of Israelis would have endorsed him had they been allowed to vote, polling indicated, while almost half would have chosen John McCain.
Lieberman has become irrelevant
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's critical remarks about Israel's hawkish foreign minister, during his recent meeting with Netanyahu, are just the tip of the iceberg. Many diplomats who have met Lieberman got the feeling that there was no one to talk to and that he has no influence over the Israeli decision-making process.
The fact that Lieberman has left a bad impression is evident from a story he himself told Moscow's Jewish community about his meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Lieberman told his counterpart that the "natural growth" of West Bank settlements required continued construction, citing the shortage of kindergartens in his hometown of Nokdim as an example. Kouchner cynically retorted that faced with a shortage, the children of Nokdim could always attend Palestinian kindergartens. "I'm not sure they have kindergartens," was what Lieberman told his Moscow audience he replied. "And even if they did, our kids wouldn't make it back alive."
The fact that Lieberman has left a bad impression is evident from a story he himself told Moscow's Jewish community about his meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Lieberman told his counterpart that the "natural growth" of West Bank settlements required continued construction, citing the shortage of kindergartens in his hometown of Nokdim as an example. Kouchner cynically retorted that faced with a shortage, the children of Nokdim could always attend Palestinian kindergartens. "I'm not sure they have kindergartens," was what Lieberman told his Moscow audience he replied. "And even if they did, our kids wouldn't make it back alive."
Nobel peace laureate jailed in Israel for Gaza activism
A Nobel Peace Prize winner and a former U.S. congresswoman are among eight people to be released today and expelled after having sailed on a protest ship heading to Gaza from Cyprus, the Israeli Interior Ministry says.
Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her peace campaign in Northern Ireland, has been in prison in Israel since Tuesday after being removed from the ship.
Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her peace campaign in Northern Ireland, has been in prison in Israel since Tuesday after being removed from the ship.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Tom Roberts, Australian.(Charles Darwin exhibition)
Aboriginal head - Charlie Turner 1892
Exhibition: Charles Darwin in Australia-art and evolution
Url: http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au
Exhibition coming up at Ian Potter Museum of Art in Flinders Lane precinct, Victoria, Australia
From Wednesday 12 August 2009 To Sunday 01 November 2009
Charles Darwin in Australia: art and evolution is a major exhibition of more than 120 items dedicated to exploring the lasting legacy of Charles Darwin in art, science and culture in australia.
This exhibition offers an artistic, cultural and philosophic review of the ramifications of Darwin’s 1831–36 visit to Australian shores. This exhibition offers the only thorough examination of Darwin’s influence on the artistic and cultural life of Melbourne and stands apart for the rare, original and unique works it brings together in honour of this momentous year.
Thornton Walker - contemporary Australian artist
Doubts of One Kind and Another (I), 2007
Walker has something for bowls! For many years they were his exclusive subject matter. Don't laugh, the work is quite unique and one look at any of his painting hints to a deeper philosophical concerns than merely representing kitchen ware. Actually he had stated them many times. Eastern philosophy and Zen are at the center of his entire work.
Btw, as previously discussed in relation to the golden mean or golden ratio, notice where Thornton has placed his bowl and where he placed the limit of the black stripe ..I strongly doubt it's just a coincidence.
Morning Sun- Edward Hopper 1952
Sunday, art day...
I was thinking of writing something about this painting but changed my mind. What is there to say which is not obvious?
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While I was reading about Hopper and his early formative years, I came across this advice given to him by one of his teachers artist Robert Henri: "Forget about art and paint what interests you in life"....This must be the most valuable advice I've ever heard in my whole life. I just wish I had come across this one well before.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bil'in . Anti violence capital of the world.... 26-6-09
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Bon, je vais maintenant vous l'avouer, j'ai un petit faible pour elle!:)
More good news from the BDS front..
Dexia Bank decides to stop financing Israeli settlements
The Belgian-French financial group, Dexia, has declared that it is stopping all financial support to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, through its Israel Branch.
(Via the Palestinian Pundit)
The Belgian-French financial group, Dexia, has declared that it is stopping all financial support to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, through its Israel Branch.
(Via the Palestinian Pundit)
You gotta love the scum!
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Please meet the lady. She's from South Africa. She's saying the land is hers. "G-d" gave it to her or some other shit to that effect..
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Raising Kids Without Religion
"My husband and I are the ONLY parents I know raising our children without any religion or even religious identity (as in claiming to be part of a culture without studying its practices). We are both devout atheists. We don't believe in any gods, or even the possibility of one. We are not agnostic. We believe awareness begins at conception and ends at death. There is no such thing as a soul. No heaven or hell, no rebirth, second chances or higher plains await us. Life is all there is."
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Working fine here too. He's got more ethical concerns than any believer of his age around. Vegetarian and wouldn't step on an ant or hurt a fly! Shows concern that the Nikes we might purchase for him were manufactured in sweatshops in Benbladesh! Hates the idea of competition and doesn't want to do sports where it's involved!!! Perfect?!! Hell no!! He hates the idea of inheriting my collection of high quality, Trad/classical(eventually hand made) shoes and prefer comfy and cheap shit-squashers!!!
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Working fine here too. He's got more ethical concerns than any believer of his age around. Vegetarian and wouldn't step on an ant or hurt a fly! Shows concern that the Nikes we might purchase for him were manufactured in sweatshops in Benbladesh! Hates the idea of competition and doesn't want to do sports where it's involved!!! Perfect?!! Hell no!! He hates the idea of inheriting my collection of high quality, Trad/classical(eventually hand made) shoes and prefer comfy and cheap shit-squashers!!!
Great quote!
"The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion."
— Arthur C. Clarke
— Arthur C. Clarke
Saddam Hussein Talks to the FBI:
Fingerprints of Saddam Hussein
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Twenty Interviews and Five Conversations with "High Value Detainee # 1" in 2004
"Saddam denied any connections to the "zealot" Osama bin Laden, cited North Korea as his most likely ally in a crunch, and shared President George W. Bush's hostility towards the "fanatic" Iranian mullahs, according to the FBI records of conversations from February through June 2004 between Saddam and Arabic-speaking agents in his detention cell at Baghdad International Airport.
He takes personal responsibility for ordering the launching of SCUD missiles against Israeli targets during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, because he blamed Israel and its influence in the U.S. for “all the problems of the Arabs”, but denies that his purpose was to draw that country into the conflict and to divide Washington from its Arab allies. He provides details on the lead-up to the war, reporting that during a January 1991 meeting former Secretary of State James Baker told Saddam’s foreign minister that if Iraq did not comply with U.S. conditions “we’ll take you back to the pre-industrial stage.”
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I know this might sound strange to you but I find the picture above to have very nice compositional elements for a drawing/painting! It actually works well as a piece of art!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
When Ezra Nawi "assaulted" an Israeli soldier!!
Notice the poor Nazi soldiers' deep suffering caused by Ezra Nawi!!
Mondoweiss:'I think this is the most emotional event I've ever done' (Naomi Klein in Ramallah)
Yesterday Naomi Klein gave a great talk at the Friends School in Ramallah. It was a short addendum to her January piece in The Nation supporting the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) movement against Israel. I recorded it in video, but it came out too shaky, so here's the audio in mp3, 35 min long.
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