Thursday, May 07, 2009
This is How You Do the American-Syrian Tango.....
Jeffrey Feltman (hated former US ambassador to Lebanon and arch Zionist) and Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Going at it today......
The Pace of the Dance is Set to Quicken Soon.....
Criminalizing Criticism of Israel
The End of Free Speech?
An Important Article
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
CounterPunch
"......Rahm Israel Emanuel hasn’t been mopping floors at the White House.
As soon as he gets the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 passed, it will become a crime for any American to tell the truth about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and theft of their lands.
It will be a crime for Christians to acknowledge the New Testament’s account of Jews demanding the crucifixion of Jesus.
It will be a crime to report the extraordinary influence of the Israel Lobby on the White House and Congress, such as the AIPAC-written resolutions praising Israel for its war crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza that were endorsed by 100 per cent of the US Senate and 99 per cent of the House of Representatives, while the rest of the world condemned Israel for its barbarity......
In other words, it means the end of free speech, free inquiry, and the First Amendment to the Constitution. Any facts or truths that cast aspersion upon Israel will simply be banned.
Given the hubris of the US government, which leads Washington to apply US law to every country and organization, what will happen to the International Red Cross, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and the various human rights organizations that have demanded investigations of Israel’s military assault on Gaza’s civilian population? Will they all be arrested for the hate crime of “excessive” criticism of Israel?
This is a serious question.......
A massive push is underway to criminalize criticism of Israel. American university professors have fallen victim to the well organized attempt to eliminate all criticism of Israel. Norman Finkelstein was denied tenure at a Catholic university because of the power of the Israel Lobby. Now the Israel Lobby is after University of California (at Santa Barbara,) professor Wiliam Robinson. Robinson’s crime: his course on global affairs included some reading assignments critical of Israel’s invasion of Gaza........"
An Important Article
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
CounterPunch
"......Rahm Israel Emanuel hasn’t been mopping floors at the White House.
As soon as he gets the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 passed, it will become a crime for any American to tell the truth about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and theft of their lands.
It will be a crime for Christians to acknowledge the New Testament’s account of Jews demanding the crucifixion of Jesus.
It will be a crime to report the extraordinary influence of the Israel Lobby on the White House and Congress, such as the AIPAC-written resolutions praising Israel for its war crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza that were endorsed by 100 per cent of the US Senate and 99 per cent of the House of Representatives, while the rest of the world condemned Israel for its barbarity......
In other words, it means the end of free speech, free inquiry, and the First Amendment to the Constitution. Any facts or truths that cast aspersion upon Israel will simply be banned.
Given the hubris of the US government, which leads Washington to apply US law to every country and organization, what will happen to the International Red Cross, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and the various human rights organizations that have demanded investigations of Israel’s military assault on Gaza’s civilian population? Will they all be arrested for the hate crime of “excessive” criticism of Israel?
This is a serious question.......
A massive push is underway to criminalize criticism of Israel. American university professors have fallen victim to the well organized attempt to eliminate all criticism of Israel. Norman Finkelstein was denied tenure at a Catholic university because of the power of the Israel Lobby. Now the Israel Lobby is after University of California (at Santa Barbara,) professor Wiliam Robinson. Robinson’s crime: his course on global affairs included some reading assignments critical of Israel’s invasion of Gaza........"
Al-Jazeera Video: Israel's indiscriminate use of tear gas - 06 May 09
"Tear gas canisters are supposed to be non-lethal weapons.
But human rights groups are becoming increasingly concerned that Israel is using tear gas canisters, intended to be used to disperse demonstrators, illegally, causing injuries and sometimes even death.
Nour Odeh has the story of one family in the West Bank town of Nilin."
AIPAC strives for political indoctrination for college and grade school students
By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Contributing Writer
".....AIPAC insists that it is a private lobbying organization funded through private donations. From the license plates pulling into the convention center and hotels it appears that much of AIPAC’s support comes from New York. However, given the presence of Israel’s top government, military, diplomatic, parastatal, and intelligence leadership at the AIPAC policy conference, it appears that AIPAC is running afoul of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938, which requires lobbying organizations that represent foreign governments to register with the Justice Department.
FARA was originally enacted to combat Nazi German propaganda in the United States. Given AIPAC’s indoctrination of college students, and summer camp-age children in their political dogma, it would appear that the Israelis and their American supporters are taking a page right out of the Nazi playbook that resulted in the passage of FARA. But AIPAC claims FARA does not apply to it. However, FARA was enacted when it became apparent that Berlin was funding the German American Bund and two camps for the indoctrination of young people, Camp Nordland in New Jersey and Camp Siegfried in New York. It all sounds very familiar. "
Online Journal Contributing Writer
".....AIPAC insists that it is a private lobbying organization funded through private donations. From the license plates pulling into the convention center and hotels it appears that much of AIPAC’s support comes from New York. However, given the presence of Israel’s top government, military, diplomatic, parastatal, and intelligence leadership at the AIPAC policy conference, it appears that AIPAC is running afoul of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938, which requires lobbying organizations that represent foreign governments to register with the Justice Department.
FARA was originally enacted to combat Nazi German propaganda in the United States. Given AIPAC’s indoctrination of college students, and summer camp-age children in their political dogma, it would appear that the Israelis and their American supporters are taking a page right out of the Nazi playbook that resulted in the passage of FARA. But AIPAC claims FARA does not apply to it. However, FARA was enacted when it became apparent that Berlin was funding the German American Bund and two camps for the indoctrination of young people, Camp Nordland in New Jersey and Camp Siegfried in New York. It all sounds very familiar. "
Obama does his Bush impression
REBRANDING THE LONG WAR, Part 1
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"This week's summit between United States President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan was less about saving lives than it was about rhetorically re-inventing - and physically relocating - the past administration's "global war on terror". The question is: how far will the three leaders go to wipe out al-Qaeda in Afghanistan or halt the Predator drone war?......
History once again does repeat itself as farce: in fact the only sticking point between the Taliban and Washington is still the same as in August 2001 - pipeline transit fees. Washington wouldn't give a damn about sharia law as long as the US could control pipelines crossing Afghanistan and Balochistan.
Yes, Pipelineistan rules. What's a few ragged Pashtun or Balochis in Washington's way when the New Great Game in Eurasia can offer so many opportunities? "
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"This week's summit between United States President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan was less about saving lives than it was about rhetorically re-inventing - and physically relocating - the past administration's "global war on terror". The question is: how far will the three leaders go to wipe out al-Qaeda in Afghanistan or halt the Predator drone war?......
History once again does repeat itself as farce: in fact the only sticking point between the Taliban and Washington is still the same as in August 2001 - pipeline transit fees. Washington wouldn't give a damn about sharia law as long as the US could control pipelines crossing Afghanistan and Balochistan.
Yes, Pipelineistan rules. What's a few ragged Pashtun or Balochis in Washington's way when the New Great Game in Eurasia can offer so many opportunities? "
Hamdan calls for withdrawing the Arab initiative
"BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of the Hamas Movement in Lebanon, has asked the Arab countries to drop the Arab peace initiative rather than drop the Palestinian refugees' right of return as demanded by Israel and the American administration.
He told Al-Quds TV satellite channel on Thursday that the Arab countries should rather support resistance that could lead to changing the Israeli occupation authority's' stands.
Hamdan said that Hamas absolutely rejects any tampering with the right of return, which, he said, is a matter involving millions of Palestinians within and outside Palestine.
He expressed surprise at the Arab insistence on the peace initiative despite the Israeli rejection of it, noting that the new Israeli coalition government is based on refusing negotiations on Jerusalem and continuation of the settlement and building of the separation wall.
If the Arabs agreed to drop the right of return Israel would ask for dropping more Palestinian rights and find legal formulas to market them, the Hamas leader underlined........"
He told Al-Quds TV satellite channel on Thursday that the Arab countries should rather support resistance that could lead to changing the Israeli occupation authority's' stands.
Hamdan said that Hamas absolutely rejects any tampering with the right of return, which, he said, is a matter involving millions of Palestinians within and outside Palestine.
He expressed surprise at the Arab insistence on the peace initiative despite the Israeli rejection of it, noting that the new Israeli coalition government is based on refusing negotiations on Jerusalem and continuation of the settlement and building of the separation wall.
If the Arabs agreed to drop the right of return Israel would ask for dropping more Palestinian rights and find legal formulas to market them, the Hamas leader underlined........"
Ban Ki-moon's moral failure
Hasan Abu Nimah, The Electronic Intifada, 6 May 2009
(Left) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a press conference in Gaza City outside the UN headquarters, still smoldering from the Israeli bombardment of the facility, 20 January 2009.
".....The brief news item stated that the UN report contained secret information supplied by Israel about an incident in which more than 40 Palestinian civilians were massacred when Israeli shells fell "outside" a UN school where many Palestinians were taking shelter. The secretary-general is reportedly considering how much of the information he can release without revealing the information supplied by Israel, the news item said, adding that the UN report concluded that Hamas fighters were not inside UN buildings but close to them.
Commenting on the report, the BBC said that it was informed by a diplomatic source, that the United States has informed Ban's office that the report should not be published in full due to the damage that that could cause to the Middle East peace talks; in other words (mine, in fact) to Israel......
For Ban, then, Israeli bombing is good -- although he would like perhaps to see a little bit less. But, in tune with his political masters, he considers Palestinians to have no right to any form of self-defense against the Israeli occupation, constant aggression and the Israeli, internationally-supported, deadly siege, with whatever means they have at their disposal......
In Sderot, Ban also urged Israel to end its crippling blockade on Gaza, but not because the blockade is a flagrant violation of international law, the Geneva conventions, inhuman and wrong. He worried only that the blockade would strengthen Hamas; otherwise, like a measured dose of bombing, it would be perfectly fine.....
....But Israel has repeatedly attacked UN facilities, schools, peacekeeping forces and personnel in Palestine and Lebanon knowing full well that it, not the UN, enjoys immunity for its actions. The next time Israel attacks a UN facility, part of the responsibility will lie with those who failed to act correctly this time around."
Villages call on Norway to divest from Africa-Israel
Press release, Adalah-NY, 6 May 2009
The Electronic Intifada
"The West Bank Palestinian villages of Bilin and Jayyous and 11 national and international networks from Europe, Palestine, Israel and the US have sent letters calling on Norway to comply with its ethical guidelines and divest from its pension fund holdings in the company Africa-Israel, owned by the controversial diamond magnate Lev Leviev. The villages of Bilin and Jayyous cited the devastating impacts of the construction of Israeli settlements by Africa-Israel and another Leviev-owned company, Leader Management and Development, on their villages' agricultural land......."
The Electronic Intifada
"The West Bank Palestinian villages of Bilin and Jayyous and 11 national and international networks from Europe, Palestine, Israel and the US have sent letters calling on Norway to comply with its ethical guidelines and divest from its pension fund holdings in the company Africa-Israel, owned by the controversial diamond magnate Lev Leviev. The villages of Bilin and Jayyous cited the devastating impacts of the construction of Israeli settlements by Africa-Israel and another Leviev-owned company, Leader Management and Development, on their villages' agricultural land......."
Back to the Future? Palestinians Rebuild With Mud
By Eva Bartlett
"RAFAH, May 7 (IPS) - Jihad el-Shaar is pleased with his mud-brick house in the Moraj district of Gaza. The 80-square metre home is a basic one-storey, two-bedroom design, with a small kitchen, bathroom and sitting room, made mostly with mud and straw.
"My wife and our four daughters and I were living with family, but it was overcrowded, impossible. We knew we had to build a home of our own," Shaar said. "We waited over two years for cement but because of the siege there is none available. What could we do, wait forever?"
So he decided to do it with mud.....
During its three-week assault Israel destroyed some 5,000 homes and 20,000 buildings.
"Since I've made my house, I've got many calls from people, especially in Rafah, who want to rebuild their houses using this technique," says Shaar. "There are entire families living in tents. Why not build a home like this? Because of the siege, we've found other ways of living." "
The Two-State Solution: the Pacifier Slogan
By Hasan Afif El-Hasan
Palestine Chronicle
"....Obama is following Bush administration’s policy of dividing the Palestinians into moderates and extremists and talking only to those Bush called moderates. President Obama caved to the pro-Israel lobby in Washington by withdrawing the nomination of his choice as head of the NSC, Charles Freeman, because he does not support the Israeli right wing extremists’ agenda. The US under Obama continues to use the “two-state” solution phrase only as a pacifier slogan for the Palestinians and their supporters.
The irony is that, despite the fact that it was Israel that destroyed the Palestinian society, colonized and confiscated their land then refused to consider the Palestinians and Arab peace overtures, the Israeli governments and their supporters in the US succeeded over the years in presenting the Arabs and the Palestinians as intractable enemies, warmongers, hell-bent on Israel’s destruction."
Palestine Chronicle
"....Obama is following Bush administration’s policy of dividing the Palestinians into moderates and extremists and talking only to those Bush called moderates. President Obama caved to the pro-Israel lobby in Washington by withdrawing the nomination of his choice as head of the NSC, Charles Freeman, because he does not support the Israeli right wing extremists’ agenda. The US under Obama continues to use the “two-state” solution phrase only as a pacifier slogan for the Palestinians and their supporters.
The irony is that, despite the fact that it was Israel that destroyed the Palestinian society, colonized and confiscated their land then refused to consider the Palestinians and Arab peace overtures, the Israeli governments and their supporters in the US succeeded over the years in presenting the Arabs and the Palestinians as intractable enemies, warmongers, hell-bent on Israel’s destruction."
Civilians pay price of war from above
By Robert Fisk
".....And of course, the reason is quite simple. We live, they die. We don't risk our brave lads on the ground – not for civilians. Not for anything. Fire phosphorus shells into Fallujah. Fire tank shells into Najaf. We know we kill the innocent. Israel does exactly the same. It said the same after its allies massacred 1,700 at the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila in 1982 and in the deaths of more than a thousand civilians in Lebanon in 2006 and after the death of more than a thousand Palestinians in Gaza this year.
And if we kill some gunmen at the same time – "terrorists", of course – then it is the same old "human shield" tactic and ultimately the "terrorists" are to blame. Our military tactics are now fully aligned with Israel.......
.....Let's have that inquiry. And "human shields". And terror, terror, terror. Something else I notice. Innocent or "terrorists", civilians or Taliban, always it is the Muslims who are to blame."
".....And of course, the reason is quite simple. We live, they die. We don't risk our brave lads on the ground – not for civilians. Not for anything. Fire phosphorus shells into Fallujah. Fire tank shells into Najaf. We know we kill the innocent. Israel does exactly the same. It said the same after its allies massacred 1,700 at the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila in 1982 and in the deaths of more than a thousand civilians in Lebanon in 2006 and after the death of more than a thousand Palestinians in Gaza this year.
And if we kill some gunmen at the same time – "terrorists", of course – then it is the same old "human shield" tactic and ultimately the "terrorists" are to blame. Our military tactics are now fully aligned with Israel.......
.....Let's have that inquiry. And "human shields". And terror, terror, terror. Something else I notice. Innocent or "terrorists", civilians or Taliban, always it is the Muslims who are to blame."
Israel Setting the Pace for a Two-State Solution
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
The poll asks:
Do you believe that an American-Iranian rapprochement will benefit the region (Middle East)?
With over 4,000 responding, 61% said no.
Do you believe that an American-Iranian rapprochement will benefit the region (Middle East)?
With over 4,000 responding, 61% said no.
إخوان مصر والنظام
ياسر الزعاترة
"من يتابع أيا من المنتديات التي تنشر بعض تجليات الجدل الداخلي في جماعة الإخوان المسلمين المصريين، سيدرك ما انطوت عليه تصريحات النائب الأول لمرشد الجماعة (محمد سيد حبيب) من رسائل وردود.
ردود على الكثير من الأسئلة التي يطرحها شباب الإخوان قبل سواهم من المريدين أو الناقدين، أكانوا من المحبين أم من الحساد أم حتى من المعادين، وبالضرورة من أروقة النظام ذاته. نتحدث بالطبع عن التصريحات التي قال فيها الرجل إن الجماعة لن تدخل في صدام بمفردها مع النظام
.....
تراخي القبضة الأميركية على العالم وتقدم جبهة المقاومة والممانعة في المنطقة، قد يوفر فرصة أكبر لقوى المعارضة المصرية وعلى رأسها جماعة الإخوان لكي تجهر بصوتها أكثر فأكثر، لكن هذا البعد لا يبدو حاضرا بما فيه الكفاية في وعي القيادة الإخوانية
.....
إن عجز الإخوان المصريين عن إحداث تغيير جذري في بنية النظام سيطرح أسئلة حقيقية حول مسيرة الإسلام السياسي برمته، والذي يحوّل الحفاظ على الحزب أو الجماعة ومؤسساتها وهياكلها إلى هدف يتقدم في بعض الأحيان على هدف التغيير الذي تتبناه الغالبية الساحقة
......"
"من يتابع أيا من المنتديات التي تنشر بعض تجليات الجدل الداخلي في جماعة الإخوان المسلمين المصريين، سيدرك ما انطوت عليه تصريحات النائب الأول لمرشد الجماعة (محمد سيد حبيب) من رسائل وردود.
ردود على الكثير من الأسئلة التي يطرحها شباب الإخوان قبل سواهم من المريدين أو الناقدين، أكانوا من المحبين أم من الحساد أم حتى من المعادين، وبالضرورة من أروقة النظام ذاته. نتحدث بالطبع عن التصريحات التي قال فيها الرجل إن الجماعة لن تدخل في صدام بمفردها مع النظام
.....
تراخي القبضة الأميركية على العالم وتقدم جبهة المقاومة والممانعة في المنطقة، قد يوفر فرصة أكبر لقوى المعارضة المصرية وعلى رأسها جماعة الإخوان لكي تجهر بصوتها أكثر فأكثر، لكن هذا البعد لا يبدو حاضرا بما فيه الكفاية في وعي القيادة الإخوانية
.....
إن عجز الإخوان المصريين عن إحداث تغيير جذري في بنية النظام سيطرح أسئلة حقيقية حول مسيرة الإسلام السياسي برمته، والذي يحوّل الحفاظ على الحزب أو الجماعة ومؤسساتها وهياكلها إلى هدف يتقدم في بعض الأحيان على هدف التغيير الذي تتبناه الغالبية الساحقة
......"
عرب 'الاعتدال' و'التعديل'
عرب 'الاعتدال' و'التعديل'
عبد الباري عطوان
"ان تطالب الادارة الامريكية الجديدة 'عرب الاعتدال' بتعديل مبادرتهم للسلام، بحيث تستجيب لكل التحفظات الاسرائيلية والامريكية، وقبل ان تفكك اسرائيل مستوطنة أو حاجزاً امنياً واحداً، أو حتى تقبل بحل الدولتين الاسطوري، فهذا امر متوقع، كما ان التجاوب معه عربياًَ امر شبه مؤكد ايضاً، بحكم التجارب السابقة.
فالمبادرة العربية التي تعفنت من شدة الاهمال، والاحتقارين الامريكي والاسرائيلي لها، جاءت انعكاساً لمطالب هؤلاء، وتجسيداً لضعف عربي رسمي، فليس غريباً ان يطالب اصحابها الاصليون بإدخال تعديلات عليها تتلاءم مع التطورات الاسرائيلية الاخيرة، بما في ذلك الحكومة اليمينية الجديدة تحت مسميات 'التوضيح' و'التعزيز'.
المعادلة واضحة لا تحتاج الى تفسير أو شرح .. اسرائيل تتشدد وعلى العرب ان يتنازلوا ويعتدلوا ويعدلوا في المقابل، والعكس غير صحيح، بل من سابع المستحيلات، فالتشدد لم يعد وارداً في قاموس الانظمة العربية الحديث.
نشرح أكثر ونقول إنه كلما اوغل النظام العربي في الاعتدال كلما ازدادت اسرائيل تغولاً وتطرفاً، وإملاء شروط تعجيزية، تجد من الادارة الامريكية التأييد المطلق، سواء بشكل علني او مبطن، وآخرها الاعتراف بـ 'يهودية' الدولة العبرية، اي ان تكون حكراً على اليهود فقط، اما غيرهم فليس لهم غير الإبعاد.
.....
هناك عدة امور نجد لزاماً علينا التذكير بها في ظل هذه التطورات المتسارعة، وقبل ان يوقعنا بعض زعمائنا في كارثة جديدة:
اولا: لا يحق لاي حكومة، او نظام عربي، او قيادة فلسطينية التنازل عن حق العودة، او الموافقة على توطين اللاجئين الفلسطينيين في البلدان المقيمين فيها، او تفسير هذا الحق بما يخالف الثوابت الفلسطينية وقرارات الشرعية الدولية، مثل القول بانه 'غير عملي' او ان هذه العودة لاراضي السلطة فقط. حق العودة لا يقل قداسة عن استعادة القدس.
ثانيا: مبدأ التبادل للاراضي الذي قبلت به القيادة الفلسطينية في مفاوضات انابوليس وبعدها، على درجة كبيرة من الخطورة، لانه مجحف في حق الفلسطينيين اولاً، ويصب في خدمة افيغدور ليبرمان والاحزاب العنصرية التي تطالب بطرد العرب من الاراضي المحتلة عام 1948. فمبادلة اراضي القدس بأخرى في النقب مهينة، مثل مبادلة حاضرة الفاتيكان بأرض في صحراء اريزونا الامريكية.
ثالثا: حكومة الرئيس اوباما اضعف من ان تضغط على اسرائيل، والقضية الفلسطينية تحتل ذيل سلم اولوياتها بعد الانهيار الاقتصادي والحربين الفاشلتين في العراق وافغانستان.
رابعا: اسرائيل لا تخشى العرب، ولا تتطلع للتطبيع مع انظمتهم،
......
الزعماء العرب حلفاء امريكا جربوا الخيار السلمي، وسايروا امريكا واسرائيل في كل املاءاتهما تقريباً، فلم يحصدوا غير المزيد من الاهانات والاذلال والتهميش، اما آن الأوان لكي يتخلوا عن سياسات الاستجداء هذه، والبحث عن اخرى ربما تكون اكثر نجاعة؟ .....
لا نريد، بل لا نجرؤ، على مطالبة الزعماء العرب بتبني الحرب بديلاً، لاننا نعرف ان تهماً كثيرة جاهزة في انتظارنا مثل التطرف، وعدم الواقعية، والعيش في لندن، وعدم فهم موازين القوى بشكل متقن، ولذلك نحصر مطالبتنا فقط بالتخلي عن خيار السلام دون تبني اي خيار آخر. فقط التحلي بالصمت المطبق والوقوف في موقف المتفرج
....
نطالب الانظمة العربية بسحب مبادرتها فوراً احتراماً لنفسها، بعد ان استنفدت اغراضها بالكامل، وان تكف شرّها عن حركات المقاومة العربية في العراق وفلسطين ولبنان، وتوقف تنازلاتها لاسرائيل، والمشاركة في الحصارات المفروضة على اهلنا في قطاع غزة.
.....
التغيير قادم الى المنطقة لا محالة، وسيلعب هذا التغول الاسرائيلي، والاحتقار الامريكي، والهوان الرسمي العربي ادواراً رئيسية في التسريع بحدوثه
....."
عبد الباري عطوان
"ان تطالب الادارة الامريكية الجديدة 'عرب الاعتدال' بتعديل مبادرتهم للسلام، بحيث تستجيب لكل التحفظات الاسرائيلية والامريكية، وقبل ان تفكك اسرائيل مستوطنة أو حاجزاً امنياً واحداً، أو حتى تقبل بحل الدولتين الاسطوري، فهذا امر متوقع، كما ان التجاوب معه عربياًَ امر شبه مؤكد ايضاً، بحكم التجارب السابقة.
فالمبادرة العربية التي تعفنت من شدة الاهمال، والاحتقارين الامريكي والاسرائيلي لها، جاءت انعكاساً لمطالب هؤلاء، وتجسيداً لضعف عربي رسمي، فليس غريباً ان يطالب اصحابها الاصليون بإدخال تعديلات عليها تتلاءم مع التطورات الاسرائيلية الاخيرة، بما في ذلك الحكومة اليمينية الجديدة تحت مسميات 'التوضيح' و'التعزيز'.
المعادلة واضحة لا تحتاج الى تفسير أو شرح .. اسرائيل تتشدد وعلى العرب ان يتنازلوا ويعتدلوا ويعدلوا في المقابل، والعكس غير صحيح، بل من سابع المستحيلات، فالتشدد لم يعد وارداً في قاموس الانظمة العربية الحديث.
نشرح أكثر ونقول إنه كلما اوغل النظام العربي في الاعتدال كلما ازدادت اسرائيل تغولاً وتطرفاً، وإملاء شروط تعجيزية، تجد من الادارة الامريكية التأييد المطلق، سواء بشكل علني او مبطن، وآخرها الاعتراف بـ 'يهودية' الدولة العبرية، اي ان تكون حكراً على اليهود فقط، اما غيرهم فليس لهم غير الإبعاد.
.....
هناك عدة امور نجد لزاماً علينا التذكير بها في ظل هذه التطورات المتسارعة، وقبل ان يوقعنا بعض زعمائنا في كارثة جديدة:
اولا: لا يحق لاي حكومة، او نظام عربي، او قيادة فلسطينية التنازل عن حق العودة، او الموافقة على توطين اللاجئين الفلسطينيين في البلدان المقيمين فيها، او تفسير هذا الحق بما يخالف الثوابت الفلسطينية وقرارات الشرعية الدولية، مثل القول بانه 'غير عملي' او ان هذه العودة لاراضي السلطة فقط. حق العودة لا يقل قداسة عن استعادة القدس.
ثانيا: مبدأ التبادل للاراضي الذي قبلت به القيادة الفلسطينية في مفاوضات انابوليس وبعدها، على درجة كبيرة من الخطورة، لانه مجحف في حق الفلسطينيين اولاً، ويصب في خدمة افيغدور ليبرمان والاحزاب العنصرية التي تطالب بطرد العرب من الاراضي المحتلة عام 1948. فمبادلة اراضي القدس بأخرى في النقب مهينة، مثل مبادلة حاضرة الفاتيكان بأرض في صحراء اريزونا الامريكية.
ثالثا: حكومة الرئيس اوباما اضعف من ان تضغط على اسرائيل، والقضية الفلسطينية تحتل ذيل سلم اولوياتها بعد الانهيار الاقتصادي والحربين الفاشلتين في العراق وافغانستان.
رابعا: اسرائيل لا تخشى العرب، ولا تتطلع للتطبيع مع انظمتهم،
......
الزعماء العرب حلفاء امريكا جربوا الخيار السلمي، وسايروا امريكا واسرائيل في كل املاءاتهما تقريباً، فلم يحصدوا غير المزيد من الاهانات والاذلال والتهميش، اما آن الأوان لكي يتخلوا عن سياسات الاستجداء هذه، والبحث عن اخرى ربما تكون اكثر نجاعة؟ .....
لا نريد، بل لا نجرؤ، على مطالبة الزعماء العرب بتبني الحرب بديلاً، لاننا نعرف ان تهماً كثيرة جاهزة في انتظارنا مثل التطرف، وعدم الواقعية، والعيش في لندن، وعدم فهم موازين القوى بشكل متقن، ولذلك نحصر مطالبتنا فقط بالتخلي عن خيار السلام دون تبني اي خيار آخر. فقط التحلي بالصمت المطبق والوقوف في موقف المتفرج
....
نطالب الانظمة العربية بسحب مبادرتها فوراً احتراماً لنفسها، بعد ان استنفدت اغراضها بالكامل، وان تكف شرّها عن حركات المقاومة العربية في العراق وفلسطين ولبنان، وتوقف تنازلاتها لاسرائيل، والمشاركة في الحصارات المفروضة على اهلنا في قطاع غزة.
.....
التغيير قادم الى المنطقة لا محالة، وسيلعب هذا التغول الاسرائيلي، والاحتقار الامريكي، والهوان الرسمي العربي ادواراً رئيسية في التسريع بحدوثه
....."
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Hamas feels the heat from Syria
A Very Important Article
By a Special Correspondent
(For personal security reasons, the writer of this article cannot be named)
Asia Times
"As relations between Syria and leading Western countries continue to coalesce, Damascus is set to take a major step in casting off its tag as a sponsor of terrorism.
News has emerged that Hamas' political leadership, based in Damascus, is to be asked to cease public statements and, over time, leave Syria. A source in the Syrian capital said this week that Damascus is keen to be seen as complying with demands from Washington and European capitals, while reiterating that Hamas and Fatah must work to unite to strengthen the position of the common Palestinian cause.
"Damascus is beginning to view itself as a genuine power-broker in the region," said the source, who also mentioned the possibility of Khartoum, Sudan, being proposed as a new base for the Hamas leader. "It sees moving out Hamas as a legitimate move in that it can push the Arab-Israeli peace process forward by putting pressure on Hamas to mend ties with Fatah by presenting a united front against Israel ahead of any possible negotiations."
The source, who cannot be named for security reasons, said a serious precedent was to be expected. "Hamas has been asked to tone down its public statements from Damascus [something Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal and others had been doing, particularly during and after Israel's recent military offensive on Gaza] and eventually move out."
"But this is not going to happen within the coming weeks; it could take a year or more.".......
Progress is steadily moving forward with the announcement that Jeffrey Feltman and Dan Shapiro, two of Obama's top Middle East hands, are expected to visit Damascus for a second time since March in the coming weeks. The Wall Street Journal quoted US State Department officials as saying “the first round of negotiations ... developed common ideas between Damascus and Washington, and now they are hoping to put these strategies into operation.".......
Even if the Syrian government is not quite sure where it is going - how much it wants better relations with the West and at what cost to its existing relationships with Hamas and Iran - it seems Assad is finally beginning to show his cards....."
By a Special Correspondent
(For personal security reasons, the writer of this article cannot be named)
Asia Times
"As relations between Syria and leading Western countries continue to coalesce, Damascus is set to take a major step in casting off its tag as a sponsor of terrorism.
News has emerged that Hamas' political leadership, based in Damascus, is to be asked to cease public statements and, over time, leave Syria. A source in the Syrian capital said this week that Damascus is keen to be seen as complying with demands from Washington and European capitals, while reiterating that Hamas and Fatah must work to unite to strengthen the position of the common Palestinian cause.
"Damascus is beginning to view itself as a genuine power-broker in the region," said the source, who also mentioned the possibility of Khartoum, Sudan, being proposed as a new base for the Hamas leader. "It sees moving out Hamas as a legitimate move in that it can push the Arab-Israeli peace process forward by putting pressure on Hamas to mend ties with Fatah by presenting a united front against Israel ahead of any possible negotiations."
The source, who cannot be named for security reasons, said a serious precedent was to be expected. "Hamas has been asked to tone down its public statements from Damascus [something Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal and others had been doing, particularly during and after Israel's recent military offensive on Gaza] and eventually move out."
"But this is not going to happen within the coming weeks; it could take a year or more.".......
Progress is steadily moving forward with the announcement that Jeffrey Feltman and Dan Shapiro, two of Obama's top Middle East hands, are expected to visit Damascus for a second time since March in the coming weeks. The Wall Street Journal quoted US State Department officials as saying “the first round of negotiations ... developed common ideas between Damascus and Washington, and now they are hoping to put these strategies into operation.".......
Even if the Syrian government is not quite sure where it is going - how much it wants better relations with the West and at what cost to its existing relationships with Hamas and Iran - it seems Assad is finally beginning to show his cards....."
Who Will Stop the AIPAC Jews Before it is Too Late?
by Medea Benjamin
(Left) A CODEINK activist interrupts the conference. Her sign says "Free Gaza."
"While I was being tackled by security guards at Washington's Convention Center during the AIPAC conference for unfurling a banner that asked "What about Gaza?," my heart was aching. I wasn't bothered so much by the burly guards who were yanking my arms behind by back and dragging me-along with 5 other CODEPINK members-out of the hall. They were doing their job.
What made my heart ache was the hatred I felt from the AIPAC staff who tore up the banner and slammed their hands across my mouth as I tried to yell out: "What about Gaza? What about the children?"
"Shut the f--- up. Shut the f--- up." one staffer yelled, red-faced and sweating as he ran beside me. "This is not the place to be saying that shit. Get the f--- out of here."
What makes my heart ache is thinking about the traumatized children I met on my recent trip to Gaza, and how their suffering is denied by the 6,000 AIPAC conventioneers who are living in a bubble-a bubble where Israel is the victim and all critics are anti-Semitic, terrorist lovers or, as in my case, self-hating Jews......"
Al-Jazeera Cartoon
Up to 150 Afghan Civilians Killed in US Attack on Western Province
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Dozens of Afghan civilians have been killed in what may be one of the deadliest US bombings of Afghanistan to date. We go to Kabul to speak with Jessica Barry of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul....."
You can also read this from Reuters:
Red Cross Confirms Dozens Dead in Afghan Air Strikes
An Afghan boy looks on as French soldiers search a house in Kapisa province, Afghanistan in February 2009. Dozens of people including women and children were killed in US-led coalition air strikes in western Afghanistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.
With Amy Goodman
"Dozens of Afghan civilians have been killed in what may be one of the deadliest US bombings of Afghanistan to date. We go to Kabul to speak with Jessica Barry of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul....."
You can also read this from Reuters:
Red Cross Confirms Dozens Dead in Afghan Air Strikes
An Afghan boy looks on as French soldiers search a house in Kapisa province, Afghanistan in February 2009. Dozens of people including women and children were killed in US-led coalition air strikes in western Afghanistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.
“The Crusade for a Christian Military”: Are US Forces Trying to Convert Afghans to Christianity?
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"The military is denying it allows its soldiers to proselytize to Afghans, following the release of footage showing US soldiers in Afghanistan discussing how to distribute Bibles translated into Pashto and Dari. We speak to Air Force veteran and former Reagan administration counsel Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and journalist Jeff Sharlet, author of a Harper’s Magazine article on “The Crusade for a Christian Military.”......"
With Amy Goodman
"The military is denying it allows its soldiers to proselytize to Afghans, following the release of footage showing US soldiers in Afghanistan discussing how to distribute Bibles translated into Pashto and Dari. We speak to Air Force veteran and former Reagan administration counsel Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and journalist Jeff Sharlet, author of a Harper’s Magazine article on “The Crusade for a Christian Military.”......"
Afghans to Obama: Get Out, Take Karzai With You
"They Can't Even Protect Themselves, So What Can They Do For Me?"
By PATRICK COCKBURN
CounterPunch
".....Karzai is also to deliver a speech at the Brookings Institution think tank on “effective ways of fighting terrorism.”
The title of his lecture shows a certain cheek. Karzai’s seven years in power since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 have been notable for his failure to prevent their resurgence. Suppose the president’s motorcade this week had taken a different route and headed, not for the airport, but for the southern outskirts of Kabul, he would soon have experienced the limits of his government’s authority. It ends at a beleaguered police post within a few minutes’ drive of the capital. Drivers heading for the southern provincial capitals of Ghazni, Qalat and Kandahar nervously check their pockets to make sure that they are carrying no documents linking them to the government......
By PATRICK COCKBURN
CounterPunch
".....Karzai is also to deliver a speech at the Brookings Institution think tank on “effective ways of fighting terrorism.”
The title of his lecture shows a certain cheek. Karzai’s seven years in power since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 have been notable for his failure to prevent their resurgence. Suppose the president’s motorcade this week had taken a different route and headed, not for the airport, but for the southern outskirts of Kabul, he would soon have experienced the limits of his government’s authority. It ends at a beleaguered police post within a few minutes’ drive of the capital. Drivers heading for the southern provincial capitals of Ghazni, Qalat and Kandahar nervously check their pockets to make sure that they are carrying no documents linking them to the government......
.....It was Karzai’s dysfunctional state of warlords and criminals which opened the door for the Taliban’s return."
Al-Jazeera Video: Ban Ki-moon's Gaza reaction 'disappointing' 05 May 09
"Richard Falk, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, tells Al Jazeera he is disappointed with the UN secretary general's decision not to order another report on Israel's Gaza assault."
Video: Swine Flu Pandemic: Where Did It Come From?
What are the origins of the pandemic?
- by Michel Chossudovsky - 2009-05-04
Global Research
- by Michel Chossudovsky - 2009-05-04
Global Research
Putting words of support into boycott action
Adri Nieuwhof and Omar Barghouti, The Electronic Intifada, 5 May 2009
The Electronic Intifada
"The Derail Veolia and Alstom Campaign, operating in full coordination with the leadership of the Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), is in full swing. After Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Israel in Geneva, the BNC called on Iran to cut its business ties with Veolia Environment and Alstom. The French transportation giants are involved in the Israeli light rail project in occupied Jerusalem, linking the city with the illegal settlements on Palestinian land. Veolia and Alstom are playing a key role in Israel's attempt to make its annexation of Palestinian East Jerusalem irreversible......
The BNC is the major voice of Palestinian civil society, unifying a broad spectrum of more than 170 Palestinian non-governmental organizations, political parties and trade unions that have endorsed the July 2005 Call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). Iran could give substance to its criticism of Israel's practices towards Palestinians by acting upon the call of the Palestinian BNC to "take the necessary steps to ban Veolia and Alstom and their subsidiaries from any contracts and operations in the country." According to the Tehran Times, the Tehran Municipality and Veolia agreed to collaborate on the implementation of some projects concerning the environment and the development of the urban transport system. Alstom has a headquarters in Tehran and received a number of large contracts, including a 192 million euro contract with Iran's state railways in 1999 and a larger 375 million euro contract to supply 50 turbo compressors to Iran in 20........"
The Electronic Intifada
"The Derail Veolia and Alstom Campaign, operating in full coordination with the leadership of the Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), is in full swing. After Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Israel in Geneva, the BNC called on Iran to cut its business ties with Veolia Environment and Alstom. The French transportation giants are involved in the Israeli light rail project in occupied Jerusalem, linking the city with the illegal settlements on Palestinian land. Veolia and Alstom are playing a key role in Israel's attempt to make its annexation of Palestinian East Jerusalem irreversible......
The BNC is the major voice of Palestinian civil society, unifying a broad spectrum of more than 170 Palestinian non-governmental organizations, political parties and trade unions that have endorsed the July 2005 Call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). Iran could give substance to its criticism of Israel's practices towards Palestinians by acting upon the call of the Palestinian BNC to "take the necessary steps to ban Veolia and Alstom and their subsidiaries from any contracts and operations in the country." According to the Tehran Times, the Tehran Municipality and Veolia agreed to collaborate on the implementation of some projects concerning the environment and the development of the urban transport system. Alstom has a headquarters in Tehran and received a number of large contracts, including a 192 million euro contract with Iran's state railways in 1999 and a larger 375 million euro contract to supply 50 turbo compressors to Iran in 20........"
Aid convoy in the Mediterranean to Gaza
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 00:52
Written by Sameh A. Habeeb
The Free Gaza Movement
"Italy, May 5, 2009-The climax to the Seventh Palestinians in Europe conference was the launch of the long anticipated ‘Hope for Gaza convoy' The convoy moved to Genoa and is now in the Mediterranean carried by a shipping boat.
The convoy is destined for the Gaza Strip and carries provisions for the education and medical sectors, specifically for Palestinians with special needs - those who were handicapped by the major Israeli attacks of December and January.
Through a chorus of cheers and tears the convoy of a dozen well-equipped ambulances and some 30 trucks loaded with medical and humanitarian supplies set sail on a cargo ship from Genoa along with human rights volunteers, European parliamentarians, and journalists....."
Written by Sameh A. Habeeb
The Free Gaza Movement
"Italy, May 5, 2009-The climax to the Seventh Palestinians in Europe conference was the launch of the long anticipated ‘Hope for Gaza convoy' The convoy moved to Genoa and is now in the Mediterranean carried by a shipping boat.
The convoy is destined for the Gaza Strip and carries provisions for the education and medical sectors, specifically for Palestinians with special needs - those who were handicapped by the major Israeli attacks of December and January.
Through a chorus of cheers and tears the convoy of a dozen well-equipped ambulances and some 30 trucks loaded with medical and humanitarian supplies set sail on a cargo ship from Genoa along with human rights volunteers, European parliamentarians, and journalists....."
Madsen: Cheney Had Death Squad, Killed Hariri & Hobeika
Al-Manar
An Important Story
"06/05/2009 Dick Cheney, the name that always pops up whenever there is talk about a serious crime someplace in the world.
Well, Cheney had his own death squad CIA unit which he ran from the white house. By Cheney’s orders, the assassinations unit killed former Lebanese minister and Lebanese Forces chief Elie Hobeika on the 24th of January 2002 and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on the 14th of March 2005, prominent investigative journalist Wayne Madsen said.
Madsen who is known for his close ties with active circles in the CIA, was speaking to the Russia Today television when he revealed that the same squad that had assassinated Hobeika in coordination with former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s office, had also assassinated Hariri......."
An Important Story
"06/05/2009 Dick Cheney, the name that always pops up whenever there is talk about a serious crime someplace in the world.
Well, Cheney had his own death squad CIA unit which he ran from the white house. By Cheney’s orders, the assassinations unit killed former Lebanese minister and Lebanese Forces chief Elie Hobeika on the 24th of January 2002 and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on the 14th of March 2005, prominent investigative journalist Wayne Madsen said.
Madsen who is known for his close ties with active circles in the CIA, was speaking to the Russia Today television when he revealed that the same squad that had assassinated Hobeika in coordination with former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s office, had also assassinated Hariri......."
U.N. Inquiry Critical of Israeli Attacks in Gaza
By Thalif Deen
"UNITED NATIONS, May 5 (IPS) - A detailed 184-page report critical of Israeli attacks on U.N. personnel and buildings during the Gaza conflict last December-January has been meticulously stripped down to a 27-page document [You can read it here] - mostly due to political sensitivities and on security grounds.
Responding to charges he had released only a "watered down" version of the report by a four-member U.N. Board of Inquiry (BoI), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon vehemently denied the accusation......"
"UNITED NATIONS, May 5 (IPS) - A detailed 184-page report critical of Israeli attacks on U.N. personnel and buildings during the Gaza conflict last December-January has been meticulously stripped down to a 27-page document [You can read it here] - mostly due to political sensitivities and on security grounds.
Responding to charges he had released only a "watered down" version of the report by a four-member U.N. Board of Inquiry (BoI), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon vehemently denied the accusation......"
The New Discourse on anti-Semitism
By Shafiq Morton - Cape Town
Palestine Chronicle
"Those who criticize Israel or those who interrogate Zionism (the ism that gave birth to Israel) are often labeled “anti-Semitic” by the Zionist lobby. This lobby, a world-wide movement, is seen to be most influential in the United States where it vigorously defends the interests of Israel.
To view Israel unsympathetically means vilification by this group: it avows political critique is something that threatens the existence of all Jews. Yet, ironically, some of the most ardent critics of Israel have been Jews – academics and political liberals who have not denigrated their Jewishness in any way because of their conscience......"
Palestine Chronicle
"Those who criticize Israel or those who interrogate Zionism (the ism that gave birth to Israel) are often labeled “anti-Semitic” by the Zionist lobby. This lobby, a world-wide movement, is seen to be most influential in the United States where it vigorously defends the interests of Israel.
To view Israel unsympathetically means vilification by this group: it avows political critique is something that threatens the existence of all Jews. Yet, ironically, some of the most ardent critics of Israel have been Jews – academics and political liberals who have not denigrated their Jewishness in any way because of their conscience......"
Jon Stewart: Wimp, Wuss, Moral Coward
Can a Democrat commit war crimes? Of course not!
by Justin Raimondo, May 06, 2009
" I was a bit surprised, albeit pleasantly, to see Jon Stewart nail Harry Truman as a war criminal......
Yet, a few days later, Stewart was back to the same subject, minus the rabid ferret, this time reversing his stance – and apologizing for calling the little haberdasher a war criminal. My, that was quick.....
Rule number one in this game is that everybody must play their assigned role. You’ve always got to be "in character." If you’re on the Left, you can take on George W. Bush, murderer of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis – but not Harry Truman, killer of even larger numbers of innocent Japanese civilians. Rightists regularly excoriate the crimes of Stalin, yet they are expected to remain silent when it comes to war crimes committed by the U.S., such as the "Phoenix program" during the Vietnam conflict – and they rarely disappoint......."
by Justin Raimondo, May 06, 2009
" I was a bit surprised, albeit pleasantly, to see Jon Stewart nail Harry Truman as a war criminal......
Yet, a few days later, Stewart was back to the same subject, minus the rabid ferret, this time reversing his stance – and apologizing for calling the little haberdasher a war criminal. My, that was quick.....
Rule number one in this game is that everybody must play their assigned role. You’ve always got to be "in character." If you’re on the Left, you can take on George W. Bush, murderer of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis – but not Harry Truman, killer of even larger numbers of innocent Japanese civilians. Rightists regularly excoriate the crimes of Stalin, yet they are expected to remain silent when it comes to war crimes committed by the U.S., such as the "Phoenix program" during the Vietnam conflict – and they rarely disappoint......."
Egypt's emos, the latest hate figures
The backlash against angsty teenagers in skinny jeans reflects a country looking for scapegoats to ease the dire political malaise
Jack Shenker
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 6 May 2009
".....Confronted with this mysterious artistic phenomenon, the authorities did what any sensible, level-headed authority would do – they panicked, called in state security agents, and began rounding up suspects.......
The exposure of the graffiti's true creators did nothing to curb the collective panic now seizing the opinion columns and chat shows of the Arab world's largest country. In fact if anything, it intensified......
Two forces have a vested interest in hyping up the threat of what amounts to little more than a few well-off, bored teenagers hanging around in shopping malls. One is the government. As a recent column in independent daily El-Dostour argued, President Mubarak's regime has lost all legitimacy amongst Egyptians both politically and culturally, a state of affairs it seeks to reverse by inventing both internal and external enemies of the state and portraying itself as the last hope for the soon-to-be-besieged Egyptian populace. Mubarak's stance on Gaza won him no friends at home; consequently the official papers are suddenly full of details about a Hezbollah terror unit operating clandestinely in the Sinai, with its sights levelled on Cairo. Culturally the government likes to style itself as a last bastion of Islamic values, the irony of which is obvious to anyone witness to the daily security clampdowns on the Muslim Brotherhood. So now emos are the latest hate-figures; their strange looks and vague connections to undefined, sordid western values makes them the perfect foil for a dictatorship on the back foot.
The most depressing aspect of it all is that far from taking the demonisation of emos for the shallow hypocrisy that it is, some conservative Islamist groups – vested interest number two – are singing to the government's tune....."
Jack Shenker
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 6 May 2009
".....Confronted with this mysterious artistic phenomenon, the authorities did what any sensible, level-headed authority would do – they panicked, called in state security agents, and began rounding up suspects.......
The exposure of the graffiti's true creators did nothing to curb the collective panic now seizing the opinion columns and chat shows of the Arab world's largest country. In fact if anything, it intensified......
Two forces have a vested interest in hyping up the threat of what amounts to little more than a few well-off, bored teenagers hanging around in shopping malls. One is the government. As a recent column in independent daily El-Dostour argued, President Mubarak's regime has lost all legitimacy amongst Egyptians both politically and culturally, a state of affairs it seeks to reverse by inventing both internal and external enemies of the state and portraying itself as the last hope for the soon-to-be-besieged Egyptian populace. Mubarak's stance on Gaza won him no friends at home; consequently the official papers are suddenly full of details about a Hezbollah terror unit operating clandestinely in the Sinai, with its sights levelled on Cairo. Culturally the government likes to style itself as a last bastion of Islamic values, the irony of which is obvious to anyone witness to the daily security clampdowns on the Muslim Brotherhood. So now emos are the latest hate-figures; their strange looks and vague connections to undefined, sordid western values makes them the perfect foil for a dictatorship on the back foot.
The most depressing aspect of it all is that far from taking the demonisation of emos for the shallow hypocrisy that it is, some conservative Islamist groups – vested interest number two – are singing to the government's tune....."
UN accuses Israel of Gaza 'negligence or recklessness
'Inquiry finds Israel responsible for deaths, injuries and damage to UN buildings
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem and Ed Pilkington New York
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"A United Nations inquiry today accused the Israeli military of "negligence or recklessness" in its conduct of the January war in Gaza and said the organisation should press claims for reparations for deaths and damage.
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem and Ed Pilkington New York
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"A United Nations inquiry today accused the Israeli military of "negligence or recklessness" in its conduct of the January war in Gaza and said the organisation should press claims for reparations for deaths and damage.
The first investigation into the three-week war by anyone other than human rights researchers and journalists held the Israeli government responsible in seven separate cases in which UN property was damaged and UN staff and other civilians were hurt or killed......"
Click Here to Read Full Summary of the UN Report (pdf)
Surprise, Surprise! UN chief rejects further inquiry in Gaza
Julian Borger, diplomatic editor
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"One of the more striking features of today's UN inquiry into the Gaza war is the secretary general's prompt rejection of one of its key findings.
In its 11th and final recommendation, the board of inquiry said the killings and injuries that happened beyond its narrow remit, outside the walls of the UN compound in Gaza, "should be investigated as part of an impartial inquiry mandated, and adequately resourced, to investigate allegations of violations of international humanitarian law". In his covering letter, however, Ban Ki-moon, said he did not "plan any further inquiry", opting not to use the secretary general's prerogative to order his own inquiries into allegations of serious human rights abuses......."
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"One of the more striking features of today's UN inquiry into the Gaza war is the secretary general's prompt rejection of one of its key findings.
In its 11th and final recommendation, the board of inquiry said the killings and injuries that happened beyond its narrow remit, outside the walls of the UN compound in Gaza, "should be investigated as part of an impartial inquiry mandated, and adequately resourced, to investigate allegations of violations of international humanitarian law". In his covering letter, however, Ban Ki-moon, said he did not "plan any further inquiry", opting not to use the secretary general's prerogative to order his own inquiries into allegations of serious human rights abuses......."
حمدي قنديل وقلمه الرصاص الى قناة 'المنار'
حمدي قنديل وقلمه الرصاص الى قناة 'المنار'
"القاهرة 'القدس العربي': اتفق الاعلامي المصري حمدي قنديل مع قناة 'المنار'التابعة لحزب الله اللبناني على تقديمه برنامج 'قلم رصاص' على شاشتها.
وقالت تقارير صحافية ان قنديل تلقى مكالمة هاتفية من قيادي في حزب الله أعقبتها مكالمة أخرى مع زعيم الحزب السيد نصر الله بهذا الشأن.
واشارت مصادر الى أن مسؤولين مصريين هددوا بوقف بث قناة المنار من القمر الصناعي المصري إذا ما تم الإتفاق مع قنديل ليطل عبر شاشتها في ظل توتر العلاقات بين الجانبين.
وكانت قوى وطنية أعلنت تضامنها مع حمدي قنديل اثر منع برنامجه في القناة الليبية بعد قناة دبي، ومن بين تلك الحركات كفاية واحزاب الكرامة والغد وحركة الثوريين اليساريين.
"
"القاهرة 'القدس العربي': اتفق الاعلامي المصري حمدي قنديل مع قناة 'المنار'التابعة لحزب الله اللبناني على تقديمه برنامج 'قلم رصاص' على شاشتها.
وقالت تقارير صحافية ان قنديل تلقى مكالمة هاتفية من قيادي في حزب الله أعقبتها مكالمة أخرى مع زعيم الحزب السيد نصر الله بهذا الشأن.
واشارت مصادر الى أن مسؤولين مصريين هددوا بوقف بث قناة المنار من القمر الصناعي المصري إذا ما تم الإتفاق مع قنديل ليطل عبر شاشتها في ظل توتر العلاقات بين الجانبين.
وكانت قوى وطنية أعلنت تضامنها مع حمدي قنديل اثر منع برنامجه في القناة الليبية بعد قناة دبي، ومن بين تلك الحركات كفاية واحزاب الكرامة والغد وحركة الثوريين اليساريين.
"
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Poll: 66% of Israeli Jews back attack on Iran
[Comment: why am I not surprised ?]
A large majority of Israeli Jews support military action aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear facilities, according to a survey sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League.
According to the poll, co-sponsored by the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University, a large majority of those who support a move by the army said they would maintain their support even if the Obama administration opposed it.
According to the poll, co-sponsored by the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University, a large majority of those who support a move by the army said they would maintain their support even if the Obama administration opposed it.
Asked about military action against Iran, 66 percent said they approved of it, 15 percent said they were opposed and 19 percent said they did not know. Among those who said they approved army action, 15 percent said they would change their minds if the United States opposed it, while 75 percent said they would not. The rest said they did not know or gave other answers.
Leading political prisoner goes on trial in Syria
[Comment: Another example of how despicable this "rejectionist" regime is, shame on them and on all their supporters]
DAMASCUS, May 4 (Reuters) - One of Syria's leading dissidents, already serving a jail term for political crimes, faced a military trial on Monday on fresh charges of making statements that "weaken national morale"
Walid al-Bunni, a 46-year physician, was jailed for 2-1/2 years in October along with 11 other dissidents after holding a large meeting to revive opposition to 46 years of Baath Party rule in Syria.
According the indictment, al-Bunni is charged with making "false statements that weaken national morale".
It said he told a fellow inmate, in jail for car theft, Iran was exerting influence on Syria and Syria had contributed to a political crisis in Lebanon.
"I did not say any of this, and even if did, would I say it to such a swindler?" al-Bunni, wearing a striped blue prison uniform, told the court.
زعماء عرب يبحثون تعديل مبادرة السلام لاسقاط حق العودة وتسريع التطبيع
بناء على طلب امريكي نقله الملك عبدالله الثاني لقادة السعودية ومصر.. ويحملها مبارك لاوباما
زعماء عرب يبحثون تعديل مبادرة السلام لاسقاط حق العودة وتسريع التطبيع
"رام الله ـ 'القدس العربي' من وليد عوض:
علمت 'القدس العربي' من مصادر فلسطينية رفيعة المستوى الثلاثاء ان زعماء دول 'الاعتدال' العربي يبلورون مبادرة سلام عربية 'توضيحية وتعزيزية' للقديمة بناء على طلب امريكي ليعرضها الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك على الرئيس الامريكي باراك اوباما الذي من المقرر ان يلتقيه خلال الاسابيع القادمة
.....
وحسب المصادر فان العاهل الاردني والرئيسين المصري والفلسطيني يبلورون حاليا مبادرة سلام 'تعزيزية' للمبادرة العربية للسلام، وذلك بالتنسيق مع السعودية والتشاور مع سورية التي اطلع العاهل الاردني وزير خارجيتها وليد المعلم الاثنين على المطالب الامريكية والتحركات العربية الجارية.
واكدت المصادر ان مبادرة السلام العربية التي يجري بلورتها جاءت بناء على طلب من اوباما نقله الملك عبدالله الثاني لزعماء المنطقة، وستشمل توطين اللاجئين الفلسطينيين في الدول العربية والسماح لمن يرغب منهم بالانتقال للاراضي الفلسطينية التي ستقام عليها دولة فلسطينية منزوعة السلاح بعد اجراء مبادلة للاراضي ما بين السلطة واسرائيل.
واضافت المصادر ان الادارة الامريكية تطالب بجدول زمني للتطبيع واقامة علاقات سياسية ما بين الدول العربية واسرائيل تشجع الاخيرة على اتخاذ خطوات عملية تسمح باقامة دولة فلسطينية منزوعة السلاح.
وحسب المصادر فان المبادرة التي يجري بلورتها عربيا ستسمح 'برفع العلم الاسرائيلي في جميع العواصم العربية
......
وفي واشنطن قال السناتور جون كيري امس الثلاثاء ان على الدول العربية ان تعزز امال السلام من خلال البدء منذ الان في تطبيع العلاقات مع اسرائيل من خلال رفع الحظر والسماح للطائرات الاسرائيلية بالتحليق فوق اراضيها.
وقال كيري رئيس لجنة العلاقات الخارجية في مجلس الشيوخ امام لوبي مؤيد لاسرائيل ان على الدول العربية البدء في 'معاملة اسرائيل مثل اي بلد عادي وانهاء المقاطعة والسماح لطائرات العال بالتحليق فوق اراضيها ولقاء زعماء اسرائيل'.
"
زعماء عرب يبحثون تعديل مبادرة السلام لاسقاط حق العودة وتسريع التطبيع
"رام الله ـ 'القدس العربي' من وليد عوض:
علمت 'القدس العربي' من مصادر فلسطينية رفيعة المستوى الثلاثاء ان زعماء دول 'الاعتدال' العربي يبلورون مبادرة سلام عربية 'توضيحية وتعزيزية' للقديمة بناء على طلب امريكي ليعرضها الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك على الرئيس الامريكي باراك اوباما الذي من المقرر ان يلتقيه خلال الاسابيع القادمة
.....
وحسب المصادر فان العاهل الاردني والرئيسين المصري والفلسطيني يبلورون حاليا مبادرة سلام 'تعزيزية' للمبادرة العربية للسلام، وذلك بالتنسيق مع السعودية والتشاور مع سورية التي اطلع العاهل الاردني وزير خارجيتها وليد المعلم الاثنين على المطالب الامريكية والتحركات العربية الجارية.
واكدت المصادر ان مبادرة السلام العربية التي يجري بلورتها جاءت بناء على طلب من اوباما نقله الملك عبدالله الثاني لزعماء المنطقة، وستشمل توطين اللاجئين الفلسطينيين في الدول العربية والسماح لمن يرغب منهم بالانتقال للاراضي الفلسطينية التي ستقام عليها دولة فلسطينية منزوعة السلاح بعد اجراء مبادلة للاراضي ما بين السلطة واسرائيل.
واضافت المصادر ان الادارة الامريكية تطالب بجدول زمني للتطبيع واقامة علاقات سياسية ما بين الدول العربية واسرائيل تشجع الاخيرة على اتخاذ خطوات عملية تسمح باقامة دولة فلسطينية منزوعة السلاح.
وحسب المصادر فان المبادرة التي يجري بلورتها عربيا ستسمح 'برفع العلم الاسرائيلي في جميع العواصم العربية
......
وفي واشنطن قال السناتور جون كيري امس الثلاثاء ان على الدول العربية ان تعزز امال السلام من خلال البدء منذ الان في تطبيع العلاقات مع اسرائيل من خلال رفع الحظر والسماح للطائرات الاسرائيلية بالتحليق فوق اراضيها.
وقال كيري رئيس لجنة العلاقات الخارجية في مجلس الشيوخ امام لوبي مؤيد لاسرائيل ان على الدول العربية البدء في 'معاملة اسرائيل مثل اي بلد عادي وانهاء المقاطعة والسماح لطائرات العال بالتحليق فوق اراضيها ولقاء زعماء اسرائيل'.
"
The Lessons of Gaza 2009
by Bashir Abu-Manneh
It's clear that Zionism is a different project than South African settler-colonialism, and that America's strategic interests in the region are such that Israel is protected much more from international pressure than South Africa ever was. The problem is not the absence of a Palestinian Mandela, but Israel's colonial project itself and the obstructions and impediments it puts in front of peace with the Palestinians.
Cutting a deal with U.S. imperialism gave Palestinians no state, no sovereignty, and no independence. It also forced the PA elite to go against the popular wishes of the majority of Palestinians and to abort or crush popular political mobilisation.
When Hamas decided to confront the PA politically on its own turf and agreed to participate in the elections of 2006 and won, only boycott, sanctions and more closure and siege ensued. The West has continued to support the side that lost the elections and to negate Palestinian democratic choice. This has resulted in deep internal political contradictions and polarisations among the Palestinians, which only worsened after Hamas' violent preventive takeover of Gaza in 2007 ["preventive" because of the imminent CIA-backed Fatah coup in Gaza -- ed.].
Today, the PA holds hundreds of Hamas political prisoners in the West Bank and continues to coordinate security issues with Israel (i.e. cooperating in suppressing resistance in the West Bank). During the Gaza invasion, it even suppressed demos against Israel and policed the streets in some areas in conjunction with the IDF.
Fatah elite capitulation and "partnership" with the Israeli occupier doesn't absolve Hamas' own behavior in Gaza since 2007, from the monopolization of executive and judicial power to the use of force in internal Palestinian affairs and the violent suppression of civil liberties, strongly condemned recently by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.[9] But it does show that the West and its Arab regional allies have produced and fuelled the current Palestinian crisis by systematically crushing Palestinian democracy and self-determination.
The only way out is to allow democracy to rein freely, opening up possibilities for autonomous mass anti-occupation organizations which express the will of the majority. The Prisoners' Document of Spring 2006, modified and ratified by both Hamas and Fatah in June 2006, remains the best and most popular basis for Palestinian struggle: a unified anti-occupation strategy that upholds all Palestinian rights and combines democracy with effective Palestinian resistance, regional mobilization, and global solidarity.
Cutting a deal with U.S. imperialism gave Palestinians no state, no sovereignty, and no independence. It also forced the PA elite to go against the popular wishes of the majority of Palestinians and to abort or crush popular political mobilisation.
When Hamas decided to confront the PA politically on its own turf and agreed to participate in the elections of 2006 and won, only boycott, sanctions and more closure and siege ensued. The West has continued to support the side that lost the elections and to negate Palestinian democratic choice. This has resulted in deep internal political contradictions and polarisations among the Palestinians, which only worsened after Hamas' violent preventive takeover of Gaza in 2007 ["preventive" because of the imminent CIA-backed Fatah coup in Gaza -- ed.].
Today, the PA holds hundreds of Hamas political prisoners in the West Bank and continues to coordinate security issues with Israel (i.e. cooperating in suppressing resistance in the West Bank). During the Gaza invasion, it even suppressed demos against Israel and policed the streets in some areas in conjunction with the IDF.
Fatah elite capitulation and "partnership" with the Israeli occupier doesn't absolve Hamas' own behavior in Gaza since 2007, from the monopolization of executive and judicial power to the use of force in internal Palestinian affairs and the violent suppression of civil liberties, strongly condemned recently by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.[9] But it does show that the West and its Arab regional allies have produced and fuelled the current Palestinian crisis by systematically crushing Palestinian democracy and self-determination.
The only way out is to allow democracy to rein freely, opening up possibilities for autonomous mass anti-occupation organizations which express the will of the majority. The Prisoners' Document of Spring 2006, modified and ratified by both Hamas and Fatah in June 2006, remains the best and most popular basis for Palestinian struggle: a unified anti-occupation strategy that upholds all Palestinian rights and combines democracy with effective Palestinian resistance, regional mobilization, and global solidarity.
The Broken Congress
From Hastert to Harman
By SIBEL EDMONDS
CounterPunch
".....For this piece I am going to break with tradition and start with an appropriate quote from a living current senator, John Kerry: “It’s a sad day when you have members of congress who are literally criminals go undisciplined by their colleagues. No wonder people look at Washington and know this city is broken.”
The people do indeed look at Washington and know that this city is ‘badly’ broken, Senator Kerry. The public confidence in our Congress has been declining drastically. Recent poll results highlight how the American people’s trust in their congress has hit rock bottom.....
Here I go again, rather than ending this in a long paragraph or two, I will let another long-gone man do it shortly and effectively “If we have Senators and Congressmen there that can't protect themselves against the evil temptations of lobbyists, we don't need to change our lobbies, we need to change our representatives.”--- Will Rogers"
By SIBEL EDMONDS
CounterPunch
".....For this piece I am going to break with tradition and start with an appropriate quote from a living current senator, John Kerry: “It’s a sad day when you have members of congress who are literally criminals go undisciplined by their colleagues. No wonder people look at Washington and know this city is broken.”
The people do indeed look at Washington and know that this city is ‘badly’ broken, Senator Kerry. The public confidence in our Congress has been declining drastically. Recent poll results highlight how the American people’s trust in their congress has hit rock bottom.....
Here I go again, rather than ending this in a long paragraph or two, I will let another long-gone man do it shortly and effectively “If we have Senators and Congressmen there that can't protect themselves against the evil temptations of lobbyists, we don't need to change our lobbies, we need to change our representatives.”--- Will Rogers"
Palestinian patients 'interrogated before leaving Gaza for treatment'
Medical human rights group claims Israeli security services are violating international laws on torture and coercion
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 May 2009
"An Israeli medical human rights group said today that an increasing number of Palestinian patients from Gaza were being interrogated by Israeli security services before being allowed to leave the strip for treatment.
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 May 2009
"An Israeli medical human rights group said today that an increasing number of Palestinian patients from Gaza were being interrogated by Israeli security services before being allowed to leave the strip for treatment.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel said at least 438 patients had been summoned for interrogation by the Shabak, the Israeli general security service, at the Erez crossing out of Gaza between January 2008 and March this year......."
William Greider: “Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of Our Country”
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"The Nation‘s national affairs correspondent William Greider on the roots of the economic crisis, how US militarism is making the country less safe, Wall Street’s inflated power, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the future of healthcare reform. “My belief is, and I feel it strongly, is that we are just at the beginning of a really long, hard passage in which Americans, like it or not, have to adjust to these new realities,” says Greider....
We are joined now in the firehouse by William Greider. A veteran journalist with a career spanning over four decades, he is National Affairs correspondent at the Nation magazine. He is author of several books, including his latest, just released: “Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of Our Country.”....."
With Amy Goodman
"The Nation‘s national affairs correspondent William Greider on the roots of the economic crisis, how US militarism is making the country less safe, Wall Street’s inflated power, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the future of healthcare reform. “My belief is, and I feel it strongly, is that we are just at the beginning of a really long, hard passage in which Americans, like it or not, have to adjust to these new realities,” says Greider....
We are joined now in the firehouse by William Greider. A veteran journalist with a career spanning over four decades, he is National Affairs correspondent at the Nation magazine. He is author of several books, including his latest, just released: “Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of Our Country.”....."
Wall Street Flu, by Khalil Bendib
Can Bibi Force Abbas to ‘Recognize’ an Oxymoron?
By Tony Karon
Satmar Hasidim, burying their rebbe: If they don’t recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”, why should the Palestinians?
"In his own version of the evasion game that has become tradition for Israeli leaders when pressed by the U.S. and others to conclude a two-state peace agreement, Bibi Netanyahu has insisted that before he’ll talk to Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO Chairman would first have to recognize Israel as a “Jewish State” and “the national home of the Jewish people”.
Excuse me?....."
Satmar Hasidim, burying their rebbe: If they don’t recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”, why should the Palestinians?"In his own version of the evasion game that has become tradition for Israeli leaders when pressed by the U.S. and others to conclude a two-state peace agreement, Bibi Netanyahu has insisted that before he’ll talk to Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO Chairman would first have to recognize Israel as a “Jewish State” and “the national home of the Jewish people”.
Excuse me?....."
Flying Pigs and the WHO
Flying Pigs, Tamiflu and Factory Farms Part II:
by F. William Engdahl
Global Research, May 4, 2009
"WHO takes a page from a Michael Crichton Novel
As the late great American poet Yogi Berra might have put it, ‘this just gets absurder and absurder.’ The international agencies supposedly responsible for monitoring worldwide dangers of new pandemic threats, the WHO and CDC are acting like the directors of a Hollywood ‘B’ grade sci-fi movie or the author of a copycat version of Michael Crichton’s Andromeda Strain novel. The global panic over outbreak of a new human-to-human Swine Flu pandemic is increasingly revealed as a likely operation in mass psychological terror whose only beneficiaries are the few global pharmaceutical giants that are in the business of peddling so-called ‘antiviral’ drugs—Roche, SmithKlineGlaxo and Novavax most prominently. The losers are the rest of us normal folks......."
by F. William Engdahl
Global Research, May 4, 2009
"WHO takes a page from a Michael Crichton Novel
As the late great American poet Yogi Berra might have put it, ‘this just gets absurder and absurder.’ The international agencies supposedly responsible for monitoring worldwide dangers of new pandemic threats, the WHO and CDC are acting like the directors of a Hollywood ‘B’ grade sci-fi movie or the author of a copycat version of Michael Crichton’s Andromeda Strain novel. The global panic over outbreak of a new human-to-human Swine Flu pandemic is increasingly revealed as a likely operation in mass psychological terror whose only beneficiaries are the few global pharmaceutical giants that are in the business of peddling so-called ‘antiviral’ drugs—Roche, SmithKlineGlaxo and Novavax most prominently. The losers are the rest of us normal folks......."
Petition seeks expulsion of Palestinian activist from Israeli university
Press release, PACBI, 4 May 2009
The Electronic Intifada
"....In despair over their evident inability to stop or even hold back the growing tide of BDS across the globe, Israel apologists have resorted to an old tactic at which they seem to excel: witch hunts and smear campaigns. A self-styled McCarthyist academic monitor group in Israel has launched a petition calling for the expulsion of Omar Barghouti, a founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), from Tel Aviv University, where he is enrolled as a doctoral student. The Israeli campaign urges the university administration to expel Barghouti due to his leading role in the BDS movement that calls for boycotting Israel and all institutions complicit in its occupation and apartheid....."
The Electronic Intifada
"....In despair over their evident inability to stop or even hold back the growing tide of BDS across the globe, Israel apologists have resorted to an old tactic at which they seem to excel: witch hunts and smear campaigns. A self-styled McCarthyist academic monitor group in Israel has launched a petition calling for the expulsion of Omar Barghouti, a founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), from Tel Aviv University, where he is enrolled as a doctoral student. The Israeli campaign urges the university administration to expel Barghouti due to his leading role in the BDS movement that calls for boycotting Israel and all institutions complicit in its occupation and apartheid....."
AN URGENT APPEAL TO HELP BREAK THE SIEGE OF GAZA
The Free Gaza Movement
".....On 30 December 2008 the DIGNITY was rammed by the Israeli navy while on a mission of mercy to deliver critically needed medical supplies and doctors to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Thanks to the heroic efforts of its captain and crew, the DIGNITY was able to find safe harbor in Lebanon, later making its way to Cyprus for repairs. Early this morning we received a call from the Harbor Master in Larnaca, informing us that the ship was taking on water. While attempting to tow her to safety, the ship went down. An inquiry has begun into the circumstances surrounding her demise, possibly due to storm damage suffered during the night...."
".....On 30 December 2008 the DIGNITY was rammed by the Israeli navy while on a mission of mercy to deliver critically needed medical supplies and doctors to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Thanks to the heroic efforts of its captain and crew, the DIGNITY was able to find safe harbor in Lebanon, later making its way to Cyprus for repairs. Early this morning we received a call from the Harbor Master in Larnaca, informing us that the ship was taking on water. While attempting to tow her to safety, the ship went down. An inquiry has begun into the circumstances surrounding her demise, possibly due to storm damage suffered during the night...."
Following Arafat's Footsteps.....
Addressing U.S., Hamas Says It Grounded Rockets
The New York Times
"DAMASCUS, Syria — The leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas said Monday that its fighters had stopped firing rockets at Israel for now. He also reached out in a limited way to the Obama administration and others in the West, saying the movement was seeking a state only in the areas Israel won in 1967.
“I promise the American administration and the international community that we will be part of the solution, period,” the leader, Khaled Meshal, said during a five-hour interview with The New York Times spread over two days in his home office here in the Syrian capital......."
The New York Times
"DAMASCUS, Syria — The leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas said Monday that its fighters had stopped firing rockets at Israel for now. He also reached out in a limited way to the Obama administration and others in the West, saying the movement was seeking a state only in the areas Israel won in 1967.
“I promise the American administration and the international community that we will be part of the solution, period,” the leader, Khaled Meshal, said during a five-hour interview with The New York Times spread over two days in his home office here in the Syrian capital......."
TALIBAN TERROR
By Eric Margolis
"The worldly French and British who are taught history and read books are looking with wry amusement and some pity on the Americans who are now gripped by a renewed bout of Taliban terror.
About ten days ago, a bunch of lightly-armed Pashtun tribesmen rode down from the Malakand region on motorbikes and pickup trucks and briefly swaggered around Buner, only 100 km from Pakistan’s capitol, Islamabad.
Hysteria erupted in Washington. `The Taliban are coming. The Taliban are coming!’......"
"The worldly French and British who are taught history and read books are looking with wry amusement and some pity on the Americans who are now gripped by a renewed bout of Taliban terror.
About ten days ago, a bunch of lightly-armed Pashtun tribesmen rode down from the Malakand region on motorbikes and pickup trucks and briefly swaggered around Buner, only 100 km from Pakistan’s capitol, Islamabad.
Hysteria erupted in Washington. `The Taliban are coming. The Taliban are coming!’......"
The threatmonger's handbook
By Stephen M. Walt
".....
The Threatmonger's Handbook:
(Or, How to Scare Your Fellow Citizens for Fun and Profit.)
.....
Nothing can disarm critics who claim that the nation is needlessly squandering blood or treasure more effectively than accusing them of being unpatriotic, naïve, excessively idealistic, or insufficiently "serious." And if that doesn't work, bring up Neville Chamberlain.
These tried-and-true methods do not work all of the time, of course, but they are undeniably effective. This is partly because a few leaders turn out to be hard to deter, sometimes seemingly minor events do have large consequences, and losing a war or being forced to compromise with an adversary is never a pleasant experience. In short, there are good reasons for any country to national security seriously, which is why realists like me oppose pacifism, radical disarmament, or reflexive appeasement. But squandering resources is never a good idea, and exaggerating dangers can be as harmful to a state's long-term interests as understating them, especially when it leads to wars of choice that turn out badly. So when you see arguments like this being used to justify hawkish policies, hang onto your skepticism (and your wallet)."
".....
The Threatmonger's Handbook:
(Or, How to Scare Your Fellow Citizens for Fun and Profit.)
.....
Nothing can disarm critics who claim that the nation is needlessly squandering blood or treasure more effectively than accusing them of being unpatriotic, naïve, excessively idealistic, or insufficiently "serious." And if that doesn't work, bring up Neville Chamberlain.
These tried-and-true methods do not work all of the time, of course, but they are undeniably effective. This is partly because a few leaders turn out to be hard to deter, sometimes seemingly minor events do have large consequences, and losing a war or being forced to compromise with an adversary is never a pleasant experience. In short, there are good reasons for any country to national security seriously, which is why realists like me oppose pacifism, radical disarmament, or reflexive appeasement. But squandering resources is never a good idea, and exaggerating dangers can be as harmful to a state's long-term interests as understating them, especially when it leads to wars of choice that turn out badly. So when you see arguments like this being used to justify hawkish policies, hang onto your skepticism (and your wallet)."
Ignore AIPAC at America’s Peril
by Philip Giraldi, May 05, 2009
"What do Charles Freeman and Jane Harman have in common? Nothing, apart from the fact that they are both involved in the truly ugly side of the Israel lobby’s activity in the United States and, for that reason, had their stories dropped by the mainstream media in record time. Harman’s story broke on April 19 and was on life support by the 24th. Freeman’s story had slightly more legs to it only because his withdrawal from his nomination to head the National Intelligence Council on March 10 was preceded by a three-week barrage of vicious ad hominem attacks from the media and the usual suspects in Congress. After he resigned, his story was allowed to die.....
If the Freeman and Harman affairs taken together do not provide convincing proof that Israel and its advocates are no true friends to the United States, then it is difficult to imagine what else can be used to make the case. It is time to end the special relationship and treat Israel like every other country. If Israel sends its intelligence officers to America to break the law, they must be caught, exposed, and punished, just as if they were Chinese or Russian. If they spy on the U.S. and corrupt its politicians, they must pay a price. It is almost certainly too late to give justice to Chas Freeman or to give Jane Harman the punishment she so richly deserves, but it is time for the United States to send a clear signal that while it is prepared to be a good friend to Israel, it will not stand for any more interference with our politicians and government officials."
"What do Charles Freeman and Jane Harman have in common? Nothing, apart from the fact that they are both involved in the truly ugly side of the Israel lobby’s activity in the United States and, for that reason, had their stories dropped by the mainstream media in record time. Harman’s story broke on April 19 and was on life support by the 24th. Freeman’s story had slightly more legs to it only because his withdrawal from his nomination to head the National Intelligence Council on March 10 was preceded by a three-week barrage of vicious ad hominem attacks from the media and the usual suspects in Congress. After he resigned, his story was allowed to die.....
If the Freeman and Harman affairs taken together do not provide convincing proof that Israel and its advocates are no true friends to the United States, then it is difficult to imagine what else can be used to make the case. It is time to end the special relationship and treat Israel like every other country. If Israel sends its intelligence officers to America to break the law, they must be caught, exposed, and punished, just as if they were Chinese or Russian. If they spy on the U.S. and corrupt its politicians, they must pay a price. It is almost certainly too late to give justice to Chas Freeman or to give Jane Harman the punishment she so richly deserves, but it is time for the United States to send a clear signal that while it is prepared to be a good friend to Israel, it will not stand for any more interference with our politicians and government officials."
The uneasy retreat from Iraq
Gordon Brown's description of Iraq as a success story is evidence of the huge gap between rhetoric and reality
James Denselow
guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 May 2009
"Gordon Brown bookended his predecessor's war of choice, by explaining that Britain and Iraq were now entering a "long-term partnership of equals". However it was a US flag that replaced the union flag at Basra airport, a reminder that despite improvements in the security situation the real exit of foreign forces from Iraq is by no means imminent......"
James Denselow
guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 May 2009
"Gordon Brown bookended his predecessor's war of choice, by explaining that Britain and Iraq were now entering a "long-term partnership of equals". However it was a US flag that replaced the union flag at Basra airport, a reminder that despite improvements in the security situation the real exit of foreign forces from Iraq is by no means imminent......"
What Obama must tell Bibi
Only a dramatic break from previous US policy on Israel can end the Middle East deadlock
Jonathan Steele
The Guardian, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"The toughest meeting of Barack Obama's young presidency is approaching. In the next few weeks, he will have to sit down with Israel's Binyamin Netanyahu. The difficulty is not just that the prime minister refuses to accept the right of a Palestinian state to exist and thereby shows the Palestinians have no partner for peace......"
Jonathan Steele
The Guardian, Tuesday 5 May 2009
"The toughest meeting of Barack Obama's young presidency is approaching. In the next few weeks, he will have to sit down with Israel's Binyamin Netanyahu. The difficulty is not just that the prime minister refuses to accept the right of a Palestinian state to exist and thereby shows the Palestinians have no partner for peace......"
'Business as usual' in Middle East
By Mark LeVine, Middle East historian
Al-Jazeera
"......Target: Bloggers
If the peace process is one of the most important priorities of the US administration, and its successful conclusion can "only" occur with Mubarak at Egypt's helm, then the clear message to the Egyptian president and his people is that he has a green light from Washington to do whatever is necessary to maintain his power, regardless of the cost to Egyptians and the possibility of tangible democratic change in the country.
Either way, Mitchell's remarks can only be read as a slap to the face of the many brave Egyptian activists for democracy, who continue to be harassed, jailed, and often tortured for pursuing the dream of genuine democratic development that Obama's election has symbolised for the world.
Indeed, just before Mitchell's arrival in Cairo in April, Egyptian security forces questioned well-known blogger Wael Abbas after he and his mother were assaulted in his home by police.....
Blind eye to Gaza?
And just as the Egyptian government tries to silence its own bloggers, it also is quite wary of allowing Gazans to offer unvarnished views of the conditions in which they are forced to live, in good measure because of the regular restrictive border closing by the Egyptian government and its intelligence co-operation with Israel.
At roughly the same time that Wael Abbas was assaulted, the Gaza-based blogger and journalist Laila El-Haddad was detained at Cairo airport upon her arrival from Washington, where she was kept in detention for over a day with her two young children before being expelled from the country and sent back to the US, despite having written permission from the Egyptian consul-general in Washington to cross the border into Gaza.
In the context of this struggle Mitchell's remarks send a signal, both to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and to the peace activists in both communities struggling desperately against their policies, that business will continue as usual under the Obama administration when it comes to Egypt, Israel, the occupation, and the larger geopolitics of the region......."
Al-Jazeera
"......Target: Bloggers
If the peace process is one of the most important priorities of the US administration, and its successful conclusion can "only" occur with Mubarak at Egypt's helm, then the clear message to the Egyptian president and his people is that he has a green light from Washington to do whatever is necessary to maintain his power, regardless of the cost to Egyptians and the possibility of tangible democratic change in the country.
Either way, Mitchell's remarks can only be read as a slap to the face of the many brave Egyptian activists for democracy, who continue to be harassed, jailed, and often tortured for pursuing the dream of genuine democratic development that Obama's election has symbolised for the world.
Indeed, just before Mitchell's arrival in Cairo in April, Egyptian security forces questioned well-known blogger Wael Abbas after he and his mother were assaulted in his home by police.....
Blind eye to Gaza?
And just as the Egyptian government tries to silence its own bloggers, it also is quite wary of allowing Gazans to offer unvarnished views of the conditions in which they are forced to live, in good measure because of the regular restrictive border closing by the Egyptian government and its intelligence co-operation with Israel.
At roughly the same time that Wael Abbas was assaulted, the Gaza-based blogger and journalist Laila El-Haddad was detained at Cairo airport upon her arrival from Washington, where she was kept in detention for over a day with her two young children before being expelled from the country and sent back to the US, despite having written permission from the Egyptian consul-general in Washington to cross the border into Gaza.
In the context of this struggle Mitchell's remarks send a signal, both to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and to the peace activists in both communities struggling desperately against their policies, that business will continue as usual under the Obama administration when it comes to Egypt, Israel, the occupation, and the larger geopolitics of the region......."
مزالق إثارة الإعجاب وطلب الاعتراف
عزمي بشارة
"....
أ- النظام العربي الذي يحاول إثارة إعجاب صانع القرار الأميركي أو الأوروبي فينتهي إلى جلب احتقاره له. وهو يفعل ذلك بطرق تستثير فيه، فيما عدا الشعور التافه بالتفوق، شعورا قويا بالسخرية: إما لأن طالبي الإعجاب يحاولون الظهور بمظهر الأرستقراطي الراقي الإنجليزي في عهد تثير فيه الأرستقراطية الإنجليزية ضحك أبنائها وشعبها بلهجتها وإيماءاتها الجسدية المتكلفة وطقوسها السخيفة، فيبدو المسؤولون العرب من أبناء العشائر والعساكر مثلما يقول المثل العامي عندنا كـ"الذاهبين للحج والناس راجعة"، أو لأنهم يسخرون من شعوبهم ويتعالون عليها فيدّعون أمام المسؤولين الأوروبيين والأميركيين أن شعوبهم متخلفة ولا ينفع معها سوى القوة، أو لأنهم يدعون الأصالة مظهرا وذلك عبر تكرار أشكال من الفولكور الاستشراقي وتقليد صورتهم في الغرب بدلا عن ثقافتهم الأصيلة، أو عبر استخدام كم هائل من الأقمشة يتدثرون بها بادعاء أنها زي شعبي أصيل.. وغير ذلك من الحركات الغريبة.
ويتبنى البعض هذه الوسائل نفسها أحيانا لتحدي "الغرب". وكان يحيرني دائما لماذا يأتي كل زعيم عربي مستهدف أو ملاحق من قبل الدول الغربية بحركات غريبة مثل الرقص أو إطلاق النار أمام العموم أو تغيير زي في كل منطقة يزورها وغيرها من الحركات التي تستخدم مرة لإثارة الإعجاب ومرة للتحدي.
ب- دفع الشعوب للاعتقاد بأن الغرب يعاديها لأن صورتها في الغرب سيئة. دون الأخذ بعين الاعتبار أن المصالح والمواقف تنتج الصورة وليس العكس في كثير من الحالات. هكذا يبدو أن المشكلة هي صورتنا في الإعلام، وأن صورة إسرائيل الإيجابية هي التي تساعدها، وأن على العرب أن يبذلوا جهدا لتحسين صورتهم في الغرب.
....
كيف يمكن تشخيص الحالة؟ بسهولة. يمكن تشخيص القيادة التي عزمت على المقايضة بدقة لا تقبل الشك. فمثل هذه القيادة تقوم بالأمور التالية:
أ- تنظِّم الكفاح المسلح بهدف الازعاج وليس الانتصار، وبشكل يجبر الطرف الآخر على الاعتراف بأن مصدر الازعاج هو أيضا القادر على إيقاف الازعاج. هنا يصبح التنظيم القاعدي السري البعيد المدى غير مهم، بل يجري تهميشه. فليس المطلوب كفاح مسلح منظم بنفس طويل، بل بضع عمليات.
والمهم في هذه الحالة هو القدرة المستمرة على تنفيذ عمليات، ولو كان ذلك دون أثر تراكمي ودون إستراتيجية، اللهم سوى رسالة للخصم. مفادها: إذا أردت الهدوء فيجب أن تتكلم مع القيادة.
ب- إلحاح مستمر على المجتمع الدولي ومن داخل المجتمع الدولي أن حل المشاكل يتطلب الاعتراف بهذه القيادة بجهد يفوق الإلحاح على الاعتراف بحقوق الشعب أو على ضرورة زوال الاحتلال، أو حق العودة، أو ضرورة الاعتراف بقيم مثل المساواة بين البشر ورفض العنصرية الصهيونية وغيرها.. ويتبين أن الحقوق ليست أهدافا فعلا، بل هي أوراق للمساومة لغرض الاعتراف بالقيادة.
ج- محاولات للإثبات أن هذه القيادة قادرة على فرض النظام. وتكتشف الشعوب لاحقا أن القيادة التي استشهد أبناؤها في الدفاع عنها لأن حقوقهم مرتبطة بها، سوف تفرض الأمن والنظام بآليات أعنف من المحتل ذاته.
د- تستميت القيادة نفسها التي تهاجم الخصم إلى حد إثارة نزعة عنصرية ضده أحيانا وهي تحاول أن تثير إعجاب واستحسان أي وفد أجنبي لا يفاوضها بل يوجه لها الأسئلة كأنه يحقق معها، أو تذوب إعجابا في أول جلسة مع أول وفد يأتيها من ذلك الطرف.
ولا اقصد هنا تيارا فلسطينيا أو عربيا بعينه، بقدر ما أرى أن الجميع مرشح للوقوع في مثل هذا المنزلق إذا لم يحصن نفسه، وإذا لم يحصنه جمهوره.
يبقى الذي عاش في ظل الثقافة المضطهِدة وعرفها عن قرب ورفضها، وحاول التفوق عليها ونبذها تضامنا مع المضطهَد مشدوها وهو يراقب أن الكثيرين من ممثلي المضطَهَدين يحاولون أن يجدوا قبولا عند أولئك الذين أدار هو لهم ظهره."
"....
أ- النظام العربي الذي يحاول إثارة إعجاب صانع القرار الأميركي أو الأوروبي فينتهي إلى جلب احتقاره له. وهو يفعل ذلك بطرق تستثير فيه، فيما عدا الشعور التافه بالتفوق، شعورا قويا بالسخرية: إما لأن طالبي الإعجاب يحاولون الظهور بمظهر الأرستقراطي الراقي الإنجليزي في عهد تثير فيه الأرستقراطية الإنجليزية ضحك أبنائها وشعبها بلهجتها وإيماءاتها الجسدية المتكلفة وطقوسها السخيفة، فيبدو المسؤولون العرب من أبناء العشائر والعساكر مثلما يقول المثل العامي عندنا كـ"الذاهبين للحج والناس راجعة"، أو لأنهم يسخرون من شعوبهم ويتعالون عليها فيدّعون أمام المسؤولين الأوروبيين والأميركيين أن شعوبهم متخلفة ولا ينفع معها سوى القوة، أو لأنهم يدعون الأصالة مظهرا وذلك عبر تكرار أشكال من الفولكور الاستشراقي وتقليد صورتهم في الغرب بدلا عن ثقافتهم الأصيلة، أو عبر استخدام كم هائل من الأقمشة يتدثرون بها بادعاء أنها زي شعبي أصيل.. وغير ذلك من الحركات الغريبة.
ويتبنى البعض هذه الوسائل نفسها أحيانا لتحدي "الغرب". وكان يحيرني دائما لماذا يأتي كل زعيم عربي مستهدف أو ملاحق من قبل الدول الغربية بحركات غريبة مثل الرقص أو إطلاق النار أمام العموم أو تغيير زي في كل منطقة يزورها وغيرها من الحركات التي تستخدم مرة لإثارة الإعجاب ومرة للتحدي.
ب- دفع الشعوب للاعتقاد بأن الغرب يعاديها لأن صورتها في الغرب سيئة. دون الأخذ بعين الاعتبار أن المصالح والمواقف تنتج الصورة وليس العكس في كثير من الحالات. هكذا يبدو أن المشكلة هي صورتنا في الإعلام، وأن صورة إسرائيل الإيجابية هي التي تساعدها، وأن على العرب أن يبذلوا جهدا لتحسين صورتهم في الغرب.
....
كيف يمكن تشخيص الحالة؟ بسهولة. يمكن تشخيص القيادة التي عزمت على المقايضة بدقة لا تقبل الشك. فمثل هذه القيادة تقوم بالأمور التالية:
أ- تنظِّم الكفاح المسلح بهدف الازعاج وليس الانتصار، وبشكل يجبر الطرف الآخر على الاعتراف بأن مصدر الازعاج هو أيضا القادر على إيقاف الازعاج. هنا يصبح التنظيم القاعدي السري البعيد المدى غير مهم، بل يجري تهميشه. فليس المطلوب كفاح مسلح منظم بنفس طويل، بل بضع عمليات.
والمهم في هذه الحالة هو القدرة المستمرة على تنفيذ عمليات، ولو كان ذلك دون أثر تراكمي ودون إستراتيجية، اللهم سوى رسالة للخصم. مفادها: إذا أردت الهدوء فيجب أن تتكلم مع القيادة.
ب- إلحاح مستمر على المجتمع الدولي ومن داخل المجتمع الدولي أن حل المشاكل يتطلب الاعتراف بهذه القيادة بجهد يفوق الإلحاح على الاعتراف بحقوق الشعب أو على ضرورة زوال الاحتلال، أو حق العودة، أو ضرورة الاعتراف بقيم مثل المساواة بين البشر ورفض العنصرية الصهيونية وغيرها.. ويتبين أن الحقوق ليست أهدافا فعلا، بل هي أوراق للمساومة لغرض الاعتراف بالقيادة.
ج- محاولات للإثبات أن هذه القيادة قادرة على فرض النظام. وتكتشف الشعوب لاحقا أن القيادة التي استشهد أبناؤها في الدفاع عنها لأن حقوقهم مرتبطة بها، سوف تفرض الأمن والنظام بآليات أعنف من المحتل ذاته.
د- تستميت القيادة نفسها التي تهاجم الخصم إلى حد إثارة نزعة عنصرية ضده أحيانا وهي تحاول أن تثير إعجاب واستحسان أي وفد أجنبي لا يفاوضها بل يوجه لها الأسئلة كأنه يحقق معها، أو تذوب إعجابا في أول جلسة مع أول وفد يأتيها من ذلك الطرف.
ولا اقصد هنا تيارا فلسطينيا أو عربيا بعينه، بقدر ما أرى أن الجميع مرشح للوقوع في مثل هذا المنزلق إذا لم يحصن نفسه، وإذا لم يحصنه جمهوره.
يبقى الذي عاش في ظل الثقافة المضطهِدة وعرفها عن قرب ورفضها، وحاول التفوق عليها ونبذها تضامنا مع المضطهَد مشدوها وهو يراقب أن الكثيرين من ممثلي المضطَهَدين يحاولون أن يجدوا قبولا عند أولئك الذين أدار هو لهم ظهره."
Monday, May 04, 2009
The AIPAC Spy Case
Where's the Justice at the Justice Department?
By JAMES G. ABOUREZK
CounterPunch
".....One would have thought that, following the jury’s decision, the bar set by the jury in the Al Arian case would be so high that the prosecution would finally leave him alone. But there is apparently a difference between a Palestinian patriot and Americans spying for Israel. One group has a powerful lobby in Washington, and the other has nothing, except the urging of that powerful lobby to go after any Palestinian activist with criminal charges or anything else they can get their hands on.
The question is: Can you find the justice in the Justice Department?"
By JAMES G. ABOUREZK
CounterPunch
".....One would have thought that, following the jury’s decision, the bar set by the jury in the Al Arian case would be so high that the prosecution would finally leave him alone. But there is apparently a difference between a Palestinian patriot and Americans spying for Israel. One group has a powerful lobby in Washington, and the other has nothing, except the urging of that powerful lobby to go after any Palestinian activist with criminal charges or anything else they can get their hands on.
The question is: Can you find the justice in the Justice Department?"
Al-Jazeera Video: Fault Lines - Maher Arar full interview
"Maher Arar is the most well-known victim of the Bush administration's notorious policy of extraordinary rendition. In an exclusive interview, Arar talked to Josh Rushing. "
COMMENT: While watching this video, keep in mind that the Syrian regime willingly and gladly tortured an innocent Canadian of Syrian origin, in order to be on good terms with the CIA.
That is the "rejectionist" regime of Assad! It was (and continues to this day) acting as an interrogator and torturer for hire for the CIA.
Facts speak a lot louder than fiery, and utterly meaningless, Syrian regime rhetoric.
The answer is always Clausewitz
By Mark Perry, Bitter Lemons, April 30, 2009
via Conflicts Forum
"The wry and oft-repeated saying among senior American military officers is always good for a laugh: “no matter what the question,” they claim, “the answer is always Clausewitz.” Unlike many war theoreticians, Prussian Major General Carl von Clausewitz actually served in the military–fighting Napoleon and spending time in a French prison. He was released in time to witness Wellington’s British squares crush Bonaparte’s Imperial Guard at Waterloo. His “On War” was published posthumously. For nearly two hundred years, Clausewitz’s work has retained its power. It was studied by Mao, was carried in the knapsacks of Vietnamese soldiers at Dien Bien Phu, was required reading among Saddam Hussein’s senior commanders.
We have Clausewitz to thank for German militarism: the Prussian army wasn’t really an army until he came along–its officer corps took pride in the length of their ponytails and scoffed at the notion that they should actually command troops. The Germans have since discarded Clausewitz’s most trenchant lessons: surveying the ruins of their cities in the wake of the last European war, they relegated “On War” to the dustbin of German history. Not so with America’s officers, for whom “On War” is viewed with the same awed faith that believing Christians reserve for the Nicene Creed. America’s commanders talk of war’s “fog”, its “friction” and the “strategic center of gravity”–all from the lexicon of the Clausewitz catechism......."
via Conflicts Forum
"The wry and oft-repeated saying among senior American military officers is always good for a laugh: “no matter what the question,” they claim, “the answer is always Clausewitz.” Unlike many war theoreticians, Prussian Major General Carl von Clausewitz actually served in the military–fighting Napoleon and spending time in a French prison. He was released in time to witness Wellington’s British squares crush Bonaparte’s Imperial Guard at Waterloo. His “On War” was published posthumously. For nearly two hundred years, Clausewitz’s work has retained its power. It was studied by Mao, was carried in the knapsacks of Vietnamese soldiers at Dien Bien Phu, was required reading among Saddam Hussein’s senior commanders.
We have Clausewitz to thank for German militarism: the Prussian army wasn’t really an army until he came along–its officer corps took pride in the length of their ponytails and scoffed at the notion that they should actually command troops. The Germans have since discarded Clausewitz’s most trenchant lessons: surveying the ruins of their cities in the wake of the last European war, they relegated “On War” to the dustbin of German history. Not so with America’s officers, for whom “On War” is viewed with the same awed faith that believing Christians reserve for the Nicene Creed. America’s commanders talk of war’s “fog”, its “friction” and the “strategic center of gravity”–all from the lexicon of the Clausewitz catechism......."
Buying Brand Obama
A Good Comment
By Chris Hedges
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"The Obama brand is about being happy consumers. We are entertained. We feel hopeful. We like our president. We believe he is like us. But like all branded products spun out from the manipulative world of corporate advertising, we are being duped into doing and supporting a lot of things that are not in our interest.....
The junk politics practiced by Obama is a consumer fraud. It is about performance. It is about lies. It is about keeping us in a perpetual state of childishness. But the longer we live in illusion, the worse reality will be when it finally shatters our fantasies. Those who do not understand what is happening around them and who are overwhelmed by a brutal reality they did not expect or foresee search desperately for saviors. They beg demagogues to come to their rescue. This is the ultimate danger of the Obama Brand. It effectively masks the wanton internal destruction and theft being carried out by our corporate state. These corporations, once they have stolen trillions in taxpayer wealth, will leave tens of millions of Americans bereft, bewildered and yearning for even more potent and deadly illusions, ones that could swiftly snuff out what is left of our diminished open society."
By Chris Hedges
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"The Obama brand is about being happy consumers. We are entertained. We feel hopeful. We like our president. We believe he is like us. But like all branded products spun out from the manipulative world of corporate advertising, we are being duped into doing and supporting a lot of things that are not in our interest.....
The junk politics practiced by Obama is a consumer fraud. It is about performance. It is about lies. It is about keeping us in a perpetual state of childishness. But the longer we live in illusion, the worse reality will be when it finally shatters our fantasies. Those who do not understand what is happening around them and who are overwhelmed by a brutal reality they did not expect or foresee search desperately for saviors. They beg demagogues to come to their rescue. This is the ultimate danger of the Obama Brand. It effectively masks the wanton internal destruction and theft being carried out by our corporate state. These corporations, once they have stolen trillions in taxpayer wealth, will leave tens of millions of Americans bereft, bewildered and yearning for even more potent and deadly illusions, ones that could swiftly snuff out what is left of our diminished open society."
'Netanyahu, Mubarak to Discuss Threats'
Al-Manar
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"04/05/2009 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will discuss major threats facing the region and their overall vision for the Middle East during their planned meeting in Egypt, which will likely take place next week, an Egyptian official said on Sunday.
The two men are expected to discuss a range of topics including Iran, "how to work together to bring peace and stability to the region," and negotiations over captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit [COMMENT: Obviously, Cairo is more concerned about Shalit than Tel Aviv], the official told The Jerusalem Post on the condition of anonymity. "We would like to see if there is anything new concerning the Israeli vision about Gilad Schalit," he said.
As for a possible Israeli air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, "We think sanctions are a better option; we don't prefer the military option right now," the official said.
Containing Iran's influence in the region and its nuclear capabilities are top concerns for many US-backed Arab states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
An Israeli government official confirmed that Netanyahu would meet with Mubarak, and then go to Washington to meet with US President Barack Obama.
Netanyahu's talks with Mubarak - the first Arab leader he will meet since taking office on March 31 - "demonstrates the importance we attach to our relationships with Egypt and the more pragmatic Arab countries," an Israeli official said......"
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"04/05/2009 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will discuss major threats facing the region and their overall vision for the Middle East during their planned meeting in Egypt, which will likely take place next week, an Egyptian official said on Sunday.
The two men are expected to discuss a range of topics including Iran, "how to work together to bring peace and stability to the region," and negotiations over captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit [COMMENT: Obviously, Cairo is more concerned about Shalit than Tel Aviv], the official told The Jerusalem Post on the condition of anonymity. "We would like to see if there is anything new concerning the Israeli vision about Gilad Schalit," he said.
As for a possible Israeli air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, "We think sanctions are a better option; we don't prefer the military option right now," the official said.
Containing Iran's influence in the region and its nuclear capabilities are top concerns for many US-backed Arab states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
An Israeli government official confirmed that Netanyahu would meet with Mubarak, and then go to Washington to meet with US President Barack Obama.
Netanyahu's talks with Mubarak - the first Arab leader he will meet since taking office on March 31 - "demonstrates the importance we attach to our relationships with Egypt and the more pragmatic Arab countries," an Israeli official said......"
