Wednesday May 26th 2010

A New Era of Imperialism
Geo-Political Analysis - A quote...."According to Pflüger, the main adversaries in these coming conflicts will be the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. The Chinese requirements on energy and raw materials are growing enormously, making the rivalries for the limited resources with the United States - and even the EU - already clearly discernable. This is the case in Central Asia, where Beijing has been able to achieve a strong position,[2] but also for the African continent. China's "massive engagements in Africa" are among "the most significant recent geopolitical transformations." Even China's activities in the Persian Gulf area and Latin America produced a fundamental shift in power relations. According to Pflüger "China is enhancing its position of power at extremely high speed" and he expects that "if this development continues at the current pace, sooner or later it could lead to serious conflicts." - also posted at GlobalRsrch

[Obama's] War on whistle-blowers intensifies
A quote...."The Obama administration’s war on whistleblowers — whose disclosures are one of the very few remaining avenues for learning what our government actually does — continues to intensify.  Last month, the DOJ announced it had obtained an indictment against NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake, who exposed serious waste, abuse and possible illegality.  Then, the DOJ re-issued a Bush era subpoena to Jim Risen of The New York Times, demanding the identity of his source who revealed an extremely inept and damaging CIA effort to infiltrate the Iranian nuclear program.  And now, as Politico‘s Josh Gerstein reports, an FBI linguist who leaked what he believed to be evidence of lawbreaking is to receive a prison term that is “likely to become the longest ever served by a government employee accused of passing national security secrets to a member of the media.”"

Obama’s [Nameless One's] Rogue Empire
Audio - A quote...."Naomi Wolf, a former progressive tending towards libertarianism, attacked the police state under Bush, and she does not spare Obama. Indeed the spying, rendition, torture, and militarism may be worse under the Democrats. Obama promised to close the Guantanamo concentration camp, but has expanded it. He even claims the right to kill anyone any place on earth whom the US security organs claim is a terrorist, through that dread name carries no firm definition. Indeed, Obama’s use of brutal, black-garbed federal police troops against demonstrators in Pittsburg is an alarming precedent at home. Now there is a move to allow any American citizen suspected of terrorism to be secretly arrested, secretly tortured, and secretly held forever, on the sole word of some security bureaucrat. As we face such systematic assaults on our freedom, everyone who opposes the omnipotent state – libertarian, progressive, conservative, and liberal – must join together in massive resistance. It is our only hope, says Naomi Wolfe."

Top Construction Firm: WTC Destroyed By Controlled Demolition
Special Note - A quote...."Respected Middle East expert and former BBC presenter Alan Hart has broken his silence on 9/11, by revealing that the world’s most prominent civil engineering company told him directly that the collapse of the twin towers was a controlled demolition." - also posted at FNF - For more on this issue see....Reficultnias's 9/11 Central

Framing Pakistan: How the pro-Israel media enables India’s surrogate warfare - posted at Online Journal
A quote...."In its bitter rivalry with India, Pakistan is at a fatal disadvantage. Unlike its South Asian neighbour, Islamabad lacks an ally with considerable influence over American mainstream media. -- The latest example of US media complicity with the Indo-Israeli alliance came in the aftermath of the much-hyped Times Square “car-bomb” incident. Typical of the media orgy of Pakistan-bashing that followed the discovery of an SUV packed with 250 pounds of non-explosive fertilizer was a piece written by Newsweek’s Indian-born editor, Fareed Zakaria, in which he brands Pakistan as “a terrorist hothouse.”

Holding the MSM Criminally Responsible for War-Monger Clinton’s New War of Agression
A quote...."In other democratic nations the media is held accountable when they promote lies in order to help fabricate justifications for illegal acts committed by those in power. Its time we did the same. -- Hilary Clinton is completely out of control and the only reason she thinks she can get away with it is because she expects the main stream media (MSM) to go along with the con… again."

Is the U.S. Government Planning War to Quell the Tide of Economic Unrest?
A quote...."In my opinion and in a word: Yes!  --  Headlines...."

• “READY FOR WAR,” “U.S. Military told to get ready in Korea Standoff, Obama orders commanders to prepare ‘to deter future aggression.’” By Drudge and MSNBC
• “U.S. Begins Massive Military Build Up Around Iran, Sending Up To 4 New Carrier Groups In Region” by Tyler Durden
• “Clinton: Korea Must Face ‘Consequences’ For Sunken Warship”
• Homeland Security, Northeast Intelligence Network: “The Syrian Missile Crisis: Threat of War Very Real”
• “The Expanding U.S. War in Pakistan” by Jeremy Scahill
• “Yemen, Latest War Front?” by CBS News

"These are but a very few of the recent headlines about more U.S. war, but the Iranian and Korean situations are the most dangerous, and the threats against Iran I think the most real."

$1 Trillion for Wars Makes No Sense By Any Measure
Actually, it'll be more like five trillion after it's all said and done. - mpg -- A quote...."What is $1 trillion really worth? -- This May 30 at 10:06 a.m., we will reach another dubious milestone in our almost nine years of war. At that precise moment, we will have spent $1 trillion in operational costs for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tracked by the National Priorities Project's cost of war counter. -- What is $1 trillion worth? NPP explains it this way: if you made a million dollars a year, it would take you a million years to earn $1 trillion." - also posted at ICH

Deadly power vacuum drags on in Iraq
A quote...."After ex-prime minister Iyad Allawi's al-Iraqiya bloc defeated an election recount and the attempted disqualification of candidates, another way was found to trim his slim winning majority - assassinate a lawmaker. The killing has been blamed on al-Qaeda and other meddlers in Iraqi affairs, but another culprit seems [to be] the deteriorating security situation brought on by the post-election power vacuum."

Red Cross in Afghanistan gives Taliban first aid help
A quote...."The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has given first aid training to Taliban members in Afghanistan. -- An ICRC statement said the organisation had provided basic training and first aid kits to about 70 members of the "armed opposition" last month."

Ahmadinejad: No New Negotiations if Enrichment Deal Rejected
Special Note - A quote...."With US officials publicly condemning the third party enrichment deal they once endorsed, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today warned that if the West foils the exchange it will spell an end to all negotiation on their civilian nuclear program."  --  "If they reject the agreement and start playing new games, then they should know that the doors for negotiations and understandings will be closed,” Ahmadinejad cautioned."

For Iran, 'no isolation on the cards'
A quote...."The Iranian president has slammed what he described as the tyrannical policies of the West, saying no bullying power or corporate structure can isolate the Iranian nation."

Obama admin. backs Vatican’s claim of immunity to sexual abuse lawsuits
Welcome to the New Roman Empire folks....courtesy of Obama. - mpg -- A quote...."The Obama administration in a brief to the Supreme Court has backed the Vatican's claim of immunity from lawsuits arising from cases of sexual abuse by priests in the United States." - also posted at BLN
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

Settlement Policy Wrong Say European Jews
A quote...."PARIS, May 25, 2010 (IPS) - Prominent Jewish intellectuals living in Europe have begun denouncing the Israeli policy of allowing settlements to come up on Palestinian territories as "morally and politically wrong.’’

At Least 16 Wounded in Israeli Airstrikes In Gaza
A quote...."Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported Wednesday morning that at least Gaza sixteen residents, mostly women and children, were wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes over northern and southern Gaza." - also posted at AlethoNews

Amnesty report says Israeli crimes ongoing
A quote...."Bethlehem - Ma'an - Amnesty International's 2010 report, released on Wednesday, revived the issue of Israeli war crimes committed during the country's war on Gaza last winter, and faulted western nations for failing to hold the nation to account."

IOF soldiers wound 3 Palestinian farmers, detain 12 in WB
A quote...."GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened intensive fire at Palestinian farms and homes east of Jabalia, northern Gaza, wounding three farmers in the process, medical sources reported."

Palestinian Reporters Attacked in WB
Press Intimidation Alert - A quote...."Israeli army forces have been using force against Palestinian journalists for the past 10 days in the West Bank, leaving dozens of them wounded. -- On Wednesday, Israeli forces attacked three journalists and injured several others. -- The army also arrested one Palestinian and one Israeli journalist, the Reporters Without Borders reported Wednesday, noting that such incidents are on the rise."
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Are Goldman Sachs and the Megabanks Able to Wipe out an Entire Economy with a Keystroke?
A quote...."We have found no evidence that these events were triggered by 'fat finger' errors, computer hacking, or terrorist activity, although we cannot completely rule out these  possibilities," a recent Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) report on the so-called May 6 "Flash Crash" that wiped out a cool trillion in a mere half-hour weakly admitted. "Much work is needed to determine all of the causes of the market disruption."  -- That's another way of saying that it remains only the market makers that caused the largest single-day point decline in Dow Jones history who actually know where the bodies are buried."

US money supply plunges at 1930s pace as Obama eyes fresh stimulus
Economic Warning - A quote...."The M3 money supply in the United States is contracting at an accelerating rate that now matches the average decline seen from 1929 to 1933, despite near zero interest rates and the biggest fiscal blitz in history." - also posted at DProgram w/video

Libor Spike Is Rekindling Fears Of Another Financial Crisis
A quote...."A recent spike in the rate banks charge each other for short-term borrowing is reviving investor fears that the market is returning to the abyss of the credit crisis."

Falling home prices stir fears of new bottom
A quote..."Tax credits and historically low mortgage rates have failed to lift home prices so far this year. Prices fell 0.5 percent in March from February, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city index released Tuesday."

$40 Billion 5 Year Auction Closes At 2.13% High Yield, 2.71 Bid To Cover Ratio, New Record In Direct Bidder Take Down -- A quote....

• $40 Billion in 5 Year Bonds close at 2.13% High Yield (15.05% allotted at high), compared to 2.54% previously, 2.46% average in last year, 2 bp tail from 2.11% WI at 1:00 PM
• Bid To Cover comes at 2.71, 2.75 previously, 2.58 average
• Direct bidders take down at new record of 15.0%, compared to 14.3% previously, 8.1% average
• Indirect bidders take down 40.6%, comapred to 48.9% previously, 48.6% average
• Primary Dealer Hit Ratio of 24.3%, compared to 20.3% previously, 24.6% average

New-home sales rise to highest level since May '08
Good news, however prices are still dropping and...."U.S. sales of new homes jumped nearly 15% in April to the highest level since May 2008 as homebuyers rushed to meet the deadline to qualify for tax credits." - bold by website editor

Durable-goods orders jump in April, up a strong 2.9%
Good news, however industrial production is only 12% of the US-NRE's GDP and...."Orders were boosted by robust demand for civilian aircraft. But excluding the volatile transportation sector, April's orders were down 1.0%, the first drop in three months. - bold by website editor

Tuesday May 25th 2010

US Media Censors US Support of Iran Fuel Swap
Censorship Exposed - A quote...."....if you get your information from major U.S. media, here's something that you almost certainly don't know: Brazil and Turkey say that before they reached the deal, they understood that they had the backing of the Obama Administration for their efforts. The available evidence suggests that Brazil and Turkey had good reason to believe that they had U.S. support, and that the Obama Administration has taken a 180 degree turn in its position in the last few weeks, and is now trying to cover its tracks, with the active collaboration of major U.S. media." - What!!!  Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva actually believed what Obama and his pack of AIPAC butt-kissing lackeys told them (said with jaw dropping incredulity, eyes uplifted to the heavens, followed by an inane giggle, a snort, a snicker and finally unrestrained laughter fading off into the distance.....) - mpg

Pentagon Seeks Private Contractor to Move Weapons Through Pakistan/Afghanistan
A quote...."The United States military is in the process of taking bids from private war contractors to secure and ship massive amounts of US military equipment through sensitive areas of Pakistan into Afghanistan where it will then be distributed to various US Forward Operating Bases and other facilities. According to the contract solicitation [PDF], "There will be an average of 5000" import shipments "transiting the Afghanistan and Pakistan ground lines of communication (GLOC) per month, along with 500 export shipments." - also posted at Uruknet - And we ALL know what the "export" shipments will be, don't we folks. - mpg

Petraeus gave secret order allowing US covert ops in N. Africa, across Middle East
A quote...."The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East signed a secret order last fall that set the stage for increased clandestine and covert operations against militants and other threats across the region, defense officials said Tuesday."
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China still opts for diplomacy on Iran
A quote...."Amid US-led efforts to gain support for new UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against Iran, China says diplomacy can still work to resolve Tehran's nuclear issue. -- "The discussions in the Security Council on the Iranian nuclear issue do not mean the end of diplomatic efforts," AFP quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu as telling reporters on Tuesday."

Japan PM under fire over US base deal
A quote...."Japan's beleaguered Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama faces fresh criticism after he made a decision to keep a controversial US airbase on the Japanese island of Okinawa." - also posted at AlethoNews

Russia to test new model of Kalashnikov assault rifle in 2011 - How can you improve perfection?? - mpg
A quote...."State tests of the new model of Kalashnikov automatic rifles will be held in Russia next year, Izhmash Director General Vladimir Grodetsky said on Tuesday. -- The new model of the legendary assault rifle, the AK-200, is based on the AK-74M and differs in weight (3.8 kilograms/8.4 lbs vs. 3.3 kilograms/7.3 lbs) and the magazine capacity (30, 50, 60 rounds vs. 30)."

Flagship of Black Sea fleet arrives in Far East for drills
A quote...."Тhe flagship of the Black Sea fleet, the Moskva missile cruiser, arrived to Vladivostok on Wednesday to take part in large-scale military exercises in the Sea of Japan to involve warships of three Russian fleets."

Russia seeks to assemble Italian armored vehicles
A quote...."Russia plans to set up production of Italian armored vehicles, a Russian daily quoted Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as saying on Tuesday. -- GZT.ru said Serdyukov spoke at the presentation of Iveco armor, including Light Multi-role Vehicles (LMV). -- A source at the KamAZ automaker confirmed talks were underway on LMV assembly under license at Naberezhnye Chelny, where the Russian plant is based."

Russian Defense Ministry plans to order An-124, An-70 transport aircraft
A quote...."The Russian Defense Ministry intends to order An-124 and An-70 military transport aircraft under the new state arms procurement program for 2011-2020, Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said on Wednesday."

Morales Caught Between Gas Revenues and Indigenous Demands
A quote...."LA PAZ, May 24, 2010 (IPS) - The Bolivian government negotiated with native groups to head off major marches and roadblocks aimed at demanding protection of indigenous land rights and conservation of the environment in their territories." - also posted at UpsideDwnWrld

Report Slams Obama Military Approach to Latin America
A quote...."WASHINGTON – A new report criticizes the military focus of the Barack Obama government in its relations with Latin America and his “insufficient attention” to human rights in the region." -- Sort'a hard to pay attention to human rights when you're supporting death squads, but Obama and Hillary are talanted....maybe they can multi-task? - mpg
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"The Unspoken Alliance": New Book Documents Arms, Nuclear and Diplomatic Ties Between Israel and Apartheid South Africa -- A quote...."Israeli President Shimon Peres has denied reports he offered to sell nuclear weapons to apartheid South Africa when he was defense minister in the 1970s. On Sunday, the Guardian newspaper of London published top-secret South African documents revealing that a secret meeting between then-defense minister Shimon Peres and his South African counterpart, P.W. Botha, ended with an offer by Peres for the sale of warheads "in three sizes." The documents were first uncovered by senior editor at Foreign Affairs Sasha Polakow-Suransky, author of the new book The Unspoken Alliance: Israel’s Secret Relationship with Apartheid South Africa. [includes rush transcript]" --  ||  Real Video Stream  ||  Real Audio Stream  ||  MP3 Download  ||  More…  ||

Israel offered Nukes to Racist South Africa for Use on Black Neighbors
Special Note - A quote...."A suppressed historical episode has emerged into the light of day in such a way as to deeply embarrass Israel and the United States in their campaign against Iran’s peaceful nuclear enrichment program at Natanz near Isfahan."

Who says Jews and racism don't go together?
Related Article - A quote...."The "sexy" story of the nuclear dealings between Israel and South Africa, as told in a new book by Sasha Polakow-Suransky ("The Unspoken Alliance: Israel's Secret Relationship With Apartheid South Africa" ), diverted attention from the book's other revelations about the intimate relations between the Jewish state and the racist regime." - also posted at Creative-i

Interview: ethnic cleansing inside the green line
A quote...."Al-Masadiya, al-Garin, Khirbat al-Watan, Bir al-Hamam, Khashem Zana, Sawin, al-Shahabi, Wadi al-Naam and al-Mashash are all Palestinian Bedouin villages facing destruction by bulldozers and cement mixers as Israel's transportation ministry plans to lengthen its Trans-Israel Highway southward into the Naqab (Negev) desert. This means that more than 3,000 Palestinian Bedouins could be displaced if an injunction filed by Israeli civil rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) doesn't succeed in the high court." - also posted at AlethoNews
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

Israel's Strange Behavior on Flotilla to Gaza
Must Read - A quote...."Amazing the odd tactics Israel has attempted in the last two weeks with regards to the Flotilla coming to Gaza. First they threaten the ministers of the various countries, Turkey, UK, Ireland, Sweden, etc. Telling them to call back their dignitaries. Then they suddenly allow some trucks into Gaza with a little humanitarian aid, to which 4 days later they are using as propaganda, telling the world there is no need for the flotilla because Israel allowed "some" aid into Gaza. Next they get creative, and build their own little flotilla of racist bigot boats, that were decorated pleasure boats with insulting signs, then sailed them past the flotilla in protest. I must admit, that one made me laugh. All the while telling the world the flotilla will not be allowed into Gaza, no way, no how." - also posted at Uruknet

Freedom Flotilla carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza
Action Update - Contains Video - Alt - A quote...."We recommend the world send ships to the shores of Gaza, and we believe that Israel would not stop these vessels because the sea is open, and many human rights organizations have been successful in previous similar steps, and proved that breaking the siege on Gaza is possible.” -- *John Ging*, Head of United Nation’s Relief and Works Agency in the Gaza Strip."

More on the Gaza flotilla– and a call to demonstrate
Action Update - A quote...."Here is the latest news on the progress of the flotilla, with pictures of some of the boats, and a call to friends of Gaza to act now to try and mount political pressure to get the flotilla in. Israel has threatened to block the ships, or worse, and a demonstration has been called for Thursday night in New York to bring attention to the crisis in Gaza. Here's the protest news:"

Turkey Rejects Israeli Deal on Gaza Sail
Action Update - A quote...."25/05/2010  Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday that Israel tried to prevent naval conflict between its occupation forces and peace activists sailing to Gaza by propositioning a number of states to transfer humanitarian aid equipment through its territory instead, but Turkey objected." - also posted at AlethoNews & WarInIraq

Long-separated family reunites in Gaza through tunnel
A quote...."Naima Akkawi, a 40-year-old Moroccan native, is finally back home in Gaza with her husband Mahmoud Jouda and her two young children, Riwan (5) and Rimas (3) after an enforced absence of 10 years."

Al Walaja, Beit Jala protest illegal wall construction
A quote...."Al Walaja village, close to Bethlehem, faces the threat of being totally isolated from the surrounding countryside by an apartheid wall which is currently under construction. When it is finished the only access villagers will have to the outside world is through a tunnel which can be opened or closed at the whim of the Israeli authorities."

Israel raids different areas in Gaza over night by air
A quote...."Gaza, May 26, (Pal Telegraph) An Israeli warplane (f16) targeted Gaza’s former International Airport in Rafah, in southern Gaza Strip, without causing injuries."

Israel to demolish 9 homes in Nablus village, PA official says
A quote...."Nablus – Ma'an – Israel's Civil Administration handed down nine demolition warrants to home-owners in the Yatma village south of Nablus City on Tuesday, a Palestinian Authority official told Ma'an."

Israel plows 15 donums in east of Bethlehem
A quote...."West Bank, May 25, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) – Israeli bulldozers plowed Palestinian lands in Nahlen village in the west of Bethlehem city."

Why is Israel torturing the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Sa'ad?
Because they're the world's newest Mini-Nazis and it's FUN for them! - mpg -- A quote...."Residents of the isolated village of Sheikh Sa'ad are unable to leave the town in their cars, and are continually subjected to poor treatment by IDF border guards." - also posted at Uruknet
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Keiser Report: Goldman Sachs, Undeclared Enemy of the State - Gold Bounty Reward Offered!!
Must View MKVideo - Alt - (MKRTYuTb - 25 min 59 sec - May 25, 2010) - A quote...."This time Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert, look at the scandals of naked short selling, supplementary liquidity providers and the conspiracy of banks. In the second half of the show, Max interviews Jim Rickards about naked short selling and overwhelming the specialist system, Wall Street banks undermining Greece and Goldman Sachs as an undeclared national enemy."

America Passes $13 Trillion In Debt
A quote...."Total US debt per today's Daily Treasury Statement was $12,989,095 million. Also today, the US Treasury auctioned off $42 billion in 2 Year debt. This means that as of this moment, assuming the new debt were to settle today, the US has $13,031,095 billion in debt: congratulation America - you have now passed lucky $13 trillion in total debt. But don't worry, we won't stay here for long. At the current rate of issuance, $14 trillion will be passed in 8 months, and $15 trillion in another 7. By the end of 2011, we estimate total US sovereign debt to be about $15.5 trillion."

Private pay shrinks to historic lows as gov't payouts rise
A quote...."Paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year, a USA TODAY analysis of government data finds.-- At the same time, government-provided benefits — from Social Security, unemployment insurance, food stamps and other programs — rose to a record high during the first three months of 2010. -- Those records reflect a long-term trend accelerated by the recession and the federal stimulus program to counteract the downturn. The result is a major shift in the source of personal income from private wages to government programs."

Is the Recovery Already Fading?
A quote...."A month ago I showed you a bunch of charts which indicated that the US economy was slowing. The upshot of the charts was that the economy was going to stall in six to nine months and that stock prices would reflect this – and they have. -- Amongst the charts was the change in the ECRI Leading Economic Indicator. Here’s what Albert Edwards had to say about the data."

Monday May 24th 2010

The Greeks Get It
Must Read - A quote...."Here’s to the Greeks. They know what to do when corporations pillage and loot their country. They know what to do when Goldman Sachs and international bankers collude with their power elite to falsify economic data and then make billions betting that the Greek economy will collapse. They know what to do when they are told their pensions, benefits and jobs have to be cut to pay corporate banks, which screwed them in the first place. Call a general strike. Riot. Shut down the city centers. Toss the bastards out. Do not be afraid of the language of class warfare—the rich versus the poor, the oligarchs versus the citizens, the capitalists versus the proletariat. The Greeks, unlike most of us, get it." - also posted at ICH & CommonDreams

'Kill Them All, for God Will Know His Own'
Must Read - A quote...."Kevin Weeks was a career criminal employed as a Mob hitman, but even he possessed sufficient good judgment and self-restraint to avoid risking the life of a seven-year-old girl. -- In Brutal, his aptly titled memoir of the years he spent working for Boston Mob boss – and protected FBI asset – James "Whitey" Bulger, Weeks describes how he was given an order to assassinate Boston Herald columnist Howie Carr, who relentlessly tormented Bulger in print. Weeks set up a sniper nest near Carr's home. He had the target set up for the kill, but didn't pull the trigger because Carr's daughter, "a little girl, like seven-years-old or so," was walking hand-in-hand with her father. -- "I couldn't take a chance of the bullet fragmenting and ricocheting or hitting her or just killing her father in front of her," recounts Weeks."

The Constitution Applies to Terrorists
Must Read - A quote...."But who is a terrorist? -- The picture that first comes to mind is the "insurgent" fighting against our military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other countries of the Middle East in which our military is increasingly becoming engaged. Some examples of such "terrorists" might be: the vengeful man whose innocent brother was killed by an unmanned drone over the border of Pakistan; the adrenaline-fueled teenager taking on the militarized Goliath occupying his hometown; the man in the wrong place at the wrong time, picked up by a bounty hunter and sold to the American government with a fictional story created about his involvement in terrorist activities; and the list could continue, portraying stories far different than the standard "radical jihadist" that dominates our media's narrative."

The absence of debate over war
A quote...."The Washington Post's Fred Hiatt ponders how little attention our various wars received during the primary campaigns that were just conducted:  "You would hardly know, from following this year's election campaign or the extensive coverage of last week's primaries, that America is at war. . . . those wars, and the wisdom of committing to or withdrawing from them, have hardly been mentioned in the hard-fought campaigns of the spring."  Hiatt is right in that observation, and it's worth examining the reasons for this."

Senate Takes Up 'Emergency' War Bill Despite Obama Pledge to End Practice
Oh Look!  ANOTHER sixty billion "emergency" appropriation for MORE WAR! - mpg -- A quote...."A year after President Obama pledged to end the practice of funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with "emergency" spending bills, the Senate is taking up a $60 billion request that would do exactly that." - Well, another Obama "promise" (gee those ObamaTrolls are sooooooooo stupid) bites the dust. - mpg

House Kills Plan to Close Guantánamo
Oh Look!  Another Obama "promise" bites the dust, it's all too funny for words. - mpg -- A quote...."President Obama's hopes of closing Guantánamo, which were already gravely wounded by his inability to meet his self-imposed deadline of a year for the prison's closure, now appear to have been killed off by lawmakers in Congress."

U.S. Pays Off Afghan Poppy Farmers
Oh Look!  The US-NRE is "helping" Afghanistan increase the world's supply of heroin.  (It just keeps getting better and better, don't it folks) - mpg -- A quote...."ABC report is describing a “new approach” to the poppy production in Afghanistan. -- “If we secure them getting a good harvest, now they’re going to get paid for their hard work. Then we can deal with trafficking afterwords” – U.S. Soldier in new ABC report. View More Here"

U.S. Is Said to Expand Secret Military Acts in Mideast Region
Oh Look!  Obama is massively expanding American Special Operations forces throughout the Middle East for, you guessed it, MORE WAR!. - mpg -- A quote...."While the Bush administration had approved some clandestine military activities far from designated war zones, the new order is intended to make such efforts more systematic and long term, officials said. Its goals are to build networks that could “penetrate, disrupt, defeat or destroy” Al Qaeda and other militant groups, as well as to “prepare the environment” for future attacks by American or local military forces, the document said. The order, however, does not appear to authorize offensive strikes in any specific countries." - Yet!

The End of Habeas Corpus: This is “Justice” in Obama’s America
Oh Look!  Obama has helped to put the final nail into the coffin for "Habeas Corpus" (You ObamaTrolls out there had enough yet, or are you still full ol'dat dare "hope" & "change" crap?) - mpg -- A quote...."On Friday, May 21, 2010 the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the Obama administration, holding that three prisoners who are being held by the U. S. at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan cannot challenge their detention in U.S. courts. This is a victory for reaction, essentially denying prisoners of the U.S. war of terror held at Bagram the right to habeas corpus." - also posted at Uruknet

US Troops Finally Leave Iraq – Just Kidding
Oh Look!  Another broken Obama promise.  Sort'a endless ain't it folks?  It's not really surprising of course if you knew anything about Obama to begin with.  What IS surprising is why so many Demos STILL support him. People really are strange. - mpg -- A quote...."A war-weary nation breathes a sign of relief today as the last of America’s troops finally return home from Iraq, fulfilling President Obama’s campaign pledge to have them out within 16 months of taking office. -- April Fools. -- In all seriousness, everyone who has been following the story even a little knows that just two days after his inauguration, President Obama was already talking about the promise as “aspirational” and a month later the “16 month plan” was formally replaced with the so-called 19 month plan, which would involve having some American troops leave Iraq by August 2010, declaring combat over, and keeping 50,000 troops “indefinitely.”"

The Sinking of the Cheonan: We Are Being Lied To
A quote...."There is no doubt about it, there is no longer any reason to hold back, I have looked at the “evidence” and have concluded that we are being lied to, again, by our “leaders” in the White House in order to fabricate a measure of moral justification for yet another “regime change” campaign or an all out war with North Korea."

Americans outgunned by Taleban’s AK47s
Weapons Tech Alert - What?  They're discovering this now?? - mpg -- A quote...."The future of the standard issue infantry rifle used by American troops in Afghanistan is under review amid concerns that it is the wrong weapon for the job. -- With its light bullets the M4 rifle lacks sufficient velocity and killing power in long-range firefights, leaving US troops outgunned by the Taleban and their AK47 Kalashnikovs and the old Russian SVD sniper rifle."

GCC hails Tehran Nuclear Declaration
A quote...."The [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has hailed Tehran's nuclear declaration brokered by Brazil and Turkey as a positive step towards resolving Iran's nuclear issue." - also posted at AlethoNews

Iran Urges West to Accept Enrichment Deal
A quote...."The Iranian government today reiterated its support for a third party enrichment deal negotiated last week with the Turkish and Brazilian governments, and urged Western nations to support the move. -- The deal is materially the same one the Obama Administration endorsed just a few months ago and was demanding that Iran agree to as recently as last month, but the US has condemned the deal, demanding Iran submit the offer formally for consideration by the IAEA, which they did today."

'US plotted coup in Bolivia in 2008'
A quote...."Bolivian President Evo Morales has accused the administration of former US President George W. Bush of trying to topple his government in 2008."

Honduras journalists under attack - (AJYuTb - 2 min 38 sec - May 24, 2010)
AJVideo - Oh Look!  Hideous Hillary's new Honduran death squads are hard at work.  She must be soooooo excited and pleased, maybe she'll give them medals! - mpg -- Source:  AlJazeeraEnglish  -- A quote...."At least eight journalists have been murdered in Honduras in less than three months. - The killings have raised concerns over the safety of reporters, especially those working on stories about human rights abuses. - From the capital Tegucigalpa, Kimberly Halkett reports."

Ex-cop claims Uribe's brother led death squad
Oh Look!  More of the US-NRE's "friends" and their relatives cheerfully murdering people with their very own death squads.  It's become pretty obvious by now to any reasonable observer that the US-NRE just finds it IMPOSSIBLE to get involved with ANY Latin American country without creating, supplying or cooperating with a death squad.  Sort of like a "don't leave home without it" type of policy.....a death squad that is. - mpg -- A quote...."BOGOTA, Colombia -- A retired police major said Monday that Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's younger brother commanded a right-wing death squad in the early 1990s from the family's cattle ranch. He estimated the militia killed at least 50 people."

Colombian activist shot dead
Related Article - A quote...."Unidentified gunmen have shot dead a Colombian human rights activist in the northern Sucre department, says a group monitoring major crimes. - The group, known as Movice, said in a report on Wednesday that "masked gunmen" killed Rogelio Martinez, AFP reported."

Cyrillic URLs get full launch in new Russian national domain - Good for Russia! - mpg
A quote...."A host of Internet sites using Cyrillic web addresses in the .рф top-level domain will be accessible from Tuesday onward, Russia's Coordination Center for the National Internet Domain said."

Canadian Government Pays Organization To Troll Political Chat Forums
Special Note - Harper's government caught red-handed. -- A quote...."The next time you struggle to comprehend how someone could spend their time trolling the Internet in order to defend and downplay whatever government cover-up or abuse is in the news this week, consider the fact that they may be on a government payroll. -- The Canadian government has been caught paying a media group to monitor online political discussion and respond to “misinformation,” in order words to spread state-sanctioned propaganda, in the latest scandal to hit the Harper administration. -- “Under the pilot program the Harper government paid a media company $75,000 to monitor and respond to online postings about the east coast seal hunt,” reports News1130." - also posted at DProgram - For more on this sort of behavior from our own government and how it deploys vast legions of corporate shills to plant propaganda, take a look at the top part of....US Fake Intel / Propaganda

Israeli Think Tank Calls for Sabotaging “Delegitimizers” of Israeli Government-- but Admits They Have a Point
Special Note - A quote...."While a report by a highly respected Israeli think tank has been widely condemned [1] for advocating that the Israeli government use its intelligence services to attack and sabotage non-violent human rights advocates, the report is worth detailed study because it is chock full of admissions of illegitimate features of the Israeli government it desperately seeks to protect."

The Biggest Threat to Peace in Middle East
A quote...."A build up of heightened tension in the Middle East is escalating in the last few weeks. American and Israeli postures towards Lebanon, Syria, and Iran have become more threatening. Listening to speeches of political leaders one hears talks only about war not peace. Iranians and Israelis are continuously training hard for a possible showdown. Both sides are conducting extensive war games every month. This led Syrians to claim that Israel is preparing for a soon-to-come another war. The Jordanians also are warning that current stalemate of the peace process is an indication of a war breaking this summer. The Russian President and his army chief hinted, few months ago, that the US and Israel were planning for an attack on Iran."

Mossad Conducts Interrogations in Iraqi Jails: Human Rights Group
A quote...."I received calls from Jordanian prisoners at Iraqi jails and they informed us that Mossad is interrogating them and other Arab prisoners in jails in Iraq," Abdul Karim Shreideh, head of the prisoners and detention centers committee at AOHR, said in a press conference in the Jordanian capital of Amman Saturday."
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

The Launch of the European Cargo Ship to Join the Fleet of "Freedom" Amid a Large Presence of the Media
Action Update - A quote...."Brussels -- The European cargo (Greek, Swedish) starts by Monday afternoon (24 / 5), to move from the port of Athens towards Cyprus to join the fleet of "freedom" going to the Gaza Strip, while another four ships from Athens and Crete will follow this by setting to sail, subsidiary of the "European campaign to End the Siege on Gaza "and the " Free Gaza” movement, will be also joining the fleet, which expected to be moving to Gaza on Thursday."

Gaza Freedom Flotilla: Not Just another Middle East Crisis
Action Update - A quote...."The U.S. corporate media have provided little coverage on some important happenings in the Middle East during the past 18 months. You might ask what's the big deal -- bad stuff happens there all the time and it doesn't concern me. In this case, recent events have the potential to create an international crisis in the coming days. Before getting to the possible explosive situation, we first need some background information."

Members of Swedish Parliament Demand Security for Ship to Gaza
Action Update - Quote of the Day...."“One and a half million Palestinians are living in isolation on the Gaza Strip, in pure misery. There is a shortage of food, medicine and other necessities, such as building materials to repair homes, schools and other buildings which were destroyed by the bombings during the war around Christmas in 2008. In order to address the situation, Ship to Gaza is planning to take the sea route to Gaza, bringing medicine, desalination plants, cement, etc. in order to help the people in need. Ship to Gaza is a politically and religiously independent, non-profit organization that is working to promote increased respect for human rights and general international law. Israel’s government has now threatened to stop Ship to Gaza and to use force if necessary. Does the Foreign Minister intend to protect this humanitarian initiative?” --  *Helén Pettersson*, Social Democratic member of the Swedish Parliament

The Simplicity of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A quote...."There is a general perception that the reason the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has continued for so long is because it is extremely complex. Nothing could be further from the truth. Placed in historical context, understanding the root cause of the conflict is simple, and in doing so, the solution becomes apparent." - also posted at Uruknet

Genetic Mutations, Peculiar Injuries: More Evidence Emerges that Israel Used Gaza as Testing Ground for Experimental Weapons -- A quote...."Pages upon pages have been written about the 2008-2009 Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip by human rights groups and fact-finding missions.  The scale of the destruction is well-known:  some 1,400 Palestinians were killed by Israel, the vast majority of them civilians; over 15,000 homes were destroyed or so severely damaged that 100,000 Palestinians were rendered homeless; nearly half of health facilities in Gaza were destroyed or damaged. -- But allegations that Israel used new, experimental weapons in Gaza have not been adequately investigated." - also posted at Uruknet

Gaza security forces detain top Egyptian officer
A quote...."Fathi Hammad told the Hamas-affiliated newspaper Palestine that the Egyptian officer was returned and called on Egyptian authorities to form a joint security committee for coordination with the Gaza government "instead of sending officers to secretly violate Palestinian security."  - also posted at Uruknet

Zionist settlers damage Palestinian farms, IOF soldiers arrest 10 citizens
A quote...."BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Zionist settlers backed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and military bulldozers damaged Palestinian farmland over a mountain slope in Nahalin village, Bethlehem district, local sources reported."
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Central Bank Intervention Is Now Self-Defeating - Actually it appears to be working. - mpg
Special Note - Market Alert - Chart - (click to enlarge) -- A quote...."While Erik Nielsen is free to provide Goldman clients with a comfortably tabulated and bullish list of last week's events from the UK countryside, a realistic appraisal of the key events over the past 168 hours really boils down to one thing - central bank intervention. Whether it is definitive SNB intervention in the Swiss franc or questionable ECB involvement in the euro, the only catalyst that prevented an all out rout of European currencies was outright and blatant market participation by sovereigns and their printers. Yet something interesting happened on the way to the stick save - decoupling."


"As the chart below shows, once it became openly obvious that the SNB/ECB is intervening in the market, the traditionally very tight correlation between the euro and US stocks went up in a puff of ink cartridge smoke." - bold by website editor - also posted at BLN

Merkel's Savage Blitz through Euroland
Special Note - Merkel is playing right into the Banksters hands and will destroy the European Union if she continues on her present course of action. - mpg -- A quote...."May 24, 2010 "Information Clearing House" -- Angela Merkel has let a minor brush-fire on the periphery turn into a raging inferno that's sweeping across the continent. Absent Berlin's fumbling diplomatic effort and its ferocious attachment to Hooverian economics, the Greek matter would have been over by now. Instead, the fire continues to burn while the German Chancellor pushes the eurozone closer and closer to the cliff. And what for; to prove that prodigal spending by the member states (Greece) mustn't go unpunished? Is that what this is all about? Is Merkel really willing to break up the EU just to prove her point and to accommodate her towering sense of self righteousness?"

“The Market” is a Reactionary Mystification: Reply to the Attack on Economic Populism from Franco Debenedetti and other Italian Economists -- Special Note - A quote...."A group of Italian economists led by Franco Debenedetti of the famous financier clan and the banker Paolo Savona, obviously fearful that the Berlusconi-Tremonti government of Italy will join last Tuesday’s successful German ban on the type of toxic derivative known as the naked credit default swap, have sent an alarmed warning to the Corriere della Sera of Milan1. Debenedetti has contributed an article expressing similar sentiments to the Italian business newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore  in which he rails at the “Mrs. Merkel market” now in force in Germany2. These economists, obviously inspired by the doctrines of Friedrich von Hayek and the Austrian school, want Italy to remain faithful no matter what to the widely discredited ideas of laissez-faire economics, even as those doctrines are everywhere under attack for having caused the current world economic depression. For these neoliberal and monetarist thinkers, any attempt to ban derivatives or tax speculation must be condemned as “economic populism,” which for these writers is a term of opprobrium." - bold by website editor - Most people would call it common sense. - mpg

Burden of Irish debt could yet eclipse that of Greece
Special Note - A quote...."What will sink us, unfortunately but inevitably, are the huge costs of the September 2008 bank bailout, writes Morgan Kelly - IT IS no longer a question of whether Ireland will go bust, but when. Unlike Greece, our woes do not stem from government debt, but instead from the government’s open-ended guarantee to cover the losses of the banking system out of its citizens’ wallets."

Obama’s Regulatory Brain
Special Note - A quote...."The most important thing to know about the 1,500 page financial reform bill passed by the Senate last week — now on he way to being reconciled with the House bill — is that it’s regulatory. It does nothing to change the structure of Wall Street. -- The bill omits two critical ideas for changing the structure of Wall Street’s biggest banks so they won’t cause more trouble in the future, and leaves a third idea in limbo. The White House doesn’t support any of them." -- Anytime you people out there want to bring back Glass-Steagall be this website editor's guest.....anytime.....still waiting.....anytime folks.....mpg
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Awful News From The Gulf: Explosions Collapse Seafloor At Deepwater Horizon Well Head
Breaking : Sunday May 23, 2010 8:31 pm  -- A quote...."A series of explosions appears to have collapsed the seafloor and blown up the BOP at the well head. Oil and gas are billowing out of a depression in the seafloor where the BOP used to be at an exponentially greater rate than anything seen before."

Is the Oil Spill Our Dust Bowl?
A quote...."The dust bowl lengthened the Great Depression. -- Many experts say that we're in another depression (which may even be worse than the 1930's). -- Is the Gulf oil disaster -which is destroying fisheries, shrimping and tourism in the Gulf - our dust bowl? You may assume that the dust bowl was a natural phenomenon. However, it was largely caused by poor farming practices which led to soil erosion.

Sunday May 23rd 2010

The Citizen-Philosopher
Must Read - A quote...."Our quest for truth is an endless task, but we must distinguish that clearly from the quest for certainty. . . We want to find truth, but we never are sure whether we have really found it." -- *Karl Popper*, in May 1993, speaking to his former student and Professor Dimitris Dimitrakos on Greek television in Delphi, Greece.

Neoliberal Dream Legislation Submitted by Obama Regime – The Privatization of All Public Housing in America
Special Note - A quote...."A few months ago I cursed a hero of mine, Dennis Kucinich. He had shifted his position on the corrosive Obamacare bill and signed on to support it just at a time when it could have been defeated. In his pathetic excuse for and explanation he said he wanted to help support President Obama’s domestic agenda.  Well here it is, Mr. Kucinich.  Here is what you wanted to support."

American INGSOC: “New World Order” unword – replace with “New International Order”
Special Note - A quote...."In perhaps his most Orwellian speech to date, Barack Obama addressed the cadets at West Point yesterday. Though his language was stunningly dishonest to the point of a Cheneyesque caricature, the real horror lies just behind the context of what he is saying and goes straight back to the double-speak that defined his election campaign. -- Gone is the man who campaigned on ending the “mindset that keeps taking us to war” and in his place is a Disney theme-ride automation programmed to read a script that would have made George Orwell blush."

The Difference Between 'anti-Semitic' and Taking a Principled Stand
(One of several examples by the author) - A quote...."If you say: "I'm not shopping there, that place is owned by a filthy Jew," that is being anti-Semitic.   But if you say: "I'm not shopping there, that place is owned by an immigrant Israeli Jew who sends most of his profits to Apartheid Israel to help Zionist land thieves steal more of Palestine," that is being brave and taking a principled stand."

Tea Party Candidates Are Owned By Israel? - Rand Paul and Israel
A quote...."I've obtained a document that the Rand Paul campaign is circulating to those interested in his views on Israel, and it's interesting to see how the positions he's taking as a Republican Senate candidate in Kentucky differ from those adopted by his father, Rep. Ron Paul, a harsh critic of U.S.-Israel ties." - also posted at ICH

Liberated from Libertarianism: Rand Paul Runs and Hides from... Rand Paul
A quote...."May 23, 2010 "Information Clearing House" -- Maybe we can finally have a serious discussion in this country about the lunacies of libertarianism. - I doubt it. This is, after all, America. I doubt we'd know an intelligent political discourse if it whacked us upside the haid. - But now we have Rand Paul, son of Ron, marching toward the United States Senate, with a mission to "take back our government". Oh boy. - I might be able to get a little bit excited about that if it really was his goal. The truth is that the American government exists almost entirely to serve the interests of the American plutocracy. If libertarians want to break that evil connection, well, then, definitely give me a shout. I'll be glad to pitch in. - But, of course, you pretty much never hear them talk about that part as they rant about the evils of government."

Vietnam: American Holocaust (Part 1)  -- Vietnam: American Holocaust (Part 2)
Videos - Special Note - (RTYuTb - aprox. 20min+ - May 23, 2010) -- A quote...."Vietnam: American Holocaust exposes one of the worst cases of sustained mass slaughter in history, carefully planned and executed by US presidents of both parties. Dedicated generals and foot soldiers, knowingly or unknowingly, killed nearly five million people on an almost unimaginable scale, mostly using incendiary bombs. Martin Sheen, who played the leading role in Apocalypse Now almost 30 years ago, has generously lent his powerful voice to this actual history of the War in Vietnam."
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Syria defies Western pressure over Hezbollah
A quote...."DAMASCUS: Syria defied Western pressure on Sunday over its support for the militant group Hezbollah and said it will not act as a policeman for the Jewish state to prevent weapons from reaching the Lebanese Shia movement....."


UK defence secretary insults Afghans
A quote...."UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox has branded Afghanistan "a broken 13th-century country," sparking fury in a country where thousands of British troops are stationed."

UK plans rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan
Related Article?? (just a joke - mpg) - A quote...."British defense secretary: 'We are not a global policeman' -- Senior British officials, including new Foreign Secretary William Hague, arrived in Afghanistan Saturday with a warning that Britain wants to withdraw its troops as soon as possible."

Militants heavily damage Kandahar base
A quote...."New details have emerged about a rocket attack on a NATO base in southern Afghanistan amid growing assaults on the US-led military instillations in the country. "

'Russian Stealth' New Look: Video of PAK FA T-50 fighter jet 2nd test flight
Video - (RTYuTb - 2 min 22 sec - May 21, 2010) -- A quote...."The Sukhoi PAK FA is Russia's 5th Generation fighter jet. The T-50 performed its first flight January 29, 2010. Its second flight was on February 6, which is showed in the recently released video. The third one was on February 12. After the first test flight it was given a new look - the jet was painted in the standard clolors of the Russian Air Force."

Australia expels Israeli diplomat
A quote...."The federal government of Australia says it has ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat over fraudulent use of Australian passports by Israel to assassinate a Hamas official." - also posted at WarInIraq

Revealed: how Israel offered to sell South Africa nuclear weapons
A quote...."Secret South African documents reveal that Israel offered to sell nuclear warheads to the apartheid regime, providing the first official documentary evidence of the state's possession of nuclear weapons. -- The "top secret" minutes of meetings between senior officials from the two countries in 1975 show that South Africa's defence minister, PW Botha, asked for the warheads and Shimon Peres, then Israel's defence minister and now its president, responded by offering them "in three sizes". The two men also signed a broad-ranging agreement governing military ties between the two countries that included a clause declaring that "the very existence of this agreement" was to remain secret. "

Pentagon’s Cyber Command Prepares War Against the American People
Contains Videos - NewCbyrCmnd - HL02/01/10 - CbyrPlan - NSAspyng  -- A quote...."NSA Director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander told the Senate Armed Services Committee in April that he would work to protect the privacy rights of Americans online. It was an interesting comment from a man who heads up an organization responsible for a massive program of illegal dragnet surveillance of domestic communications and communications records of millions of ordinary Americans since at least 2001." - also posted at DProgram

Senators: Obama admin keeps Congress in dark on intel
Special Note - There's a lot of indications that the "Times Square Bomber" might be a false flag event....this is one of them. - mpg -- A quote...."The Obama administration has failed to keep congressional intelligence officials in the loop on the investigation into the botched Times Square bombing, as required by law, the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate intelligence committee charged in a letter this week."

Coca-Cola’s murderous record of anti-union activity in Colombia exposed
A quote...."(NaturalNews) – Coca-Cola: to many, it is simply the all-American cola that everyone grew up drinking. Originally created in the late 1800s as a medicine, Coca-Cola eventually evolved into one of the world’s most popular soft drinks. Besides being a very unhealthy beverage, Coca-Cola has another dirty secret for which few people are aware; the Coca-Cola Company has been involved in a series of kidnappings involving union leaders and organizers at its Colombia bottling facilities. Many of those kidnapped have been severely tortured and even murdered by company thugs." - also posted at DProgram & BLN

[British] Police keep secret files on 1,900 protesters
A quote...."The police are keeping secret intelligence files and photographs of nearly 1,900 so-called domestic extremists, it can be revealed. -- Details of the intelligence and pictures gathered at marches and other demonstrations comes as the new Government questions whether civil liberties and the right to peaceful protest have been eroded by New Labour’s extension of police and anti-terrorist legislation."

French farmers bring rural reality to Champs Elysées
A quote...."As the busiest, most traffic-friendly road in the French capital, there is usually very little that is field-like about the Champs Elysées, or Elysian Fields. -- Today, however, the cars that usually speed through the famous avenue were brought to a halt and the cobblestones paved over with grass as la France profonde took over the most urban landscape in the country."

Satan is going on vacation and needs a replacement
Video - Alt - (YouTube - 2 min 21 sec - May 19, 2010) -- A little humor - A quote...."Satan is going on vacation and needs a replacement. Candidates for the job include Scott Silverman from Positive ID, Verichip , Raytheon , Monsanto and Goldman Sachs."
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

Flotilla Bound for Gaza
Photos - A quote...."link  Three ships carrying Turkish activists have set off from Turkey to Gaza on Saturday, the biggest effort by international aid groups to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip. The biggest of the nine ships from Istanbul is heading to the south western city of Antalya where two other Turkish ships will be waiting to join the convoy. The seaport was overwhelmed by thousands of well-wishers, who had come to show their support for the people of Gaza."

Settlers Torch Farmlands In The Jordan valley
A quote...."A group of fundamentalist settlers torched on Saturday several farmlands in Wad Al Maleh in the northern plains of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank." - also posted at AlethoNews & WarInIraq

Zionist setters burn 150 olive trees in Al-Khalil
A quote...."AL-KHALIL -- Dozens of Zionist settlers raided the village of Sa'ir east of Al-Khalil district on Saturday and burned tens of fruitful olive trees, local sources reported."

Israeli troops demolish biggest UNRWA summer camp in Gaza
Some quotes...."GAZA, May 23 (KUNA) -- Israeli armed troops Sunday attacked one of the largest camps set up by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the shores of Gaza Strip." -- "The destroyed camp was among camps that organize 'summer games' for Palestinian school children..."

Most of Gaza remains in ruins 16 months after Israeli assault - UNDP
A quote...."UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (KUNA) -- Sixteen months after Israeli "Operation Cast Lead" inflicted widespread damage in the Gaza Strip early last year, about three quarters of the damaged buildings and infrastructure have still not been repaired, according to a United Nations report released on Sunday."

Hebron protests against Old City closures
A quote...."Palestinian residents of Hebron gathered on Saturday, supported by a large group of Israeli activists, to protest against the continued restrictions on their freedom of movement within Hebron. This includes the total closure to Palestinians of Shuhada Street, a key thoroughfare on which all Palestinian shops and homes have been sealed shut."

Unending Nakbas
Photos - A quote...."(IPS) – This is the month for Palestinians to remember their Nakba, or "catastrophe", in which more than 700,000 women, men and children were pushed off their land and rendered homeless refugees by the Zionist attacks before, during and after the founding of Israel in 1948." - Source: IPS

Remember Palestine – Interview: Jo Rose – Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions
Action Update - Video - Alt - (PTVYuTb 4 min 35 sec - May 16, 2010) - Boycott, Divest and Sanction, because Israel has left the world community no other choice. - mpg -- A quote...."Palestinians day to day life in occupied territories." - For more on how to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the state of Israel see the upper-left-corner of the "Front Page" of this website.

Two Italian Supermarkets Suspend Sales of Settlement Products
Action Update - Boycott, Divest and Sanction, BECAUSE IT'S WORKING! - mpg - A quote...."May 22, 2010 - Following lobbying efforts by the Italian Coalition Against Carmel-Agrexco, two major Italian supermarket chains, COOP and Nordiconad, announced the suspension of sales of products from Agrexco, the principal exporter of produce from Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories."

Italy groups urge boycott of Israeli goods
Action Update - Boycott, Divest and Sanction, because Israel won't stop unless WE stop them. - mpg -- A quote...."Pro-Palestinian groups, left-wing Gush Shalom movement call on supermarkets in Italy to ban Israeli products from West Bank settlements and Golan Heights. To ensure full enforcement, they seek to take move one step further, boycotting all Israeli goods because 'you can't differentiate'" - For more on how to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the state of Israel see the upper-left-corner of the "Front Page" of this website.

Join the Global Intifada
Action Update - A quote...."Popular resistance to Israel’s apartheid is growing globally! In Palestine, non-violent resistance to land confiscation and settlement expansion is gathering momentum. -- Weekly non-violent demonstrations in the West Bank and Gaza have tripled since January, and continue to increase in size and number. The tents are standing strong in Jerusalem’s threatened communities of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, and resistance to settler attacks and land grabs in the Jordan Valley is also building."
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A perfect storm for unemployment in June
Special Note - Charts - A quote...."While there is plenty of talk about the economic recovery, there is barely a whisper about what is just a few weeks ahead. It's not any one thing. It's a combination of three (and possibly four) different events that will deliver devastating body-blows to the economy. --   They are all being talked about, but no one that I've seen has put them all together. -- That's where I come in, the doom-and-gloomer, with the news that no one wants to think about, but you are better off knowing now rather than later."

Massive Currency and Debt Devaluations Lie Ahead
A quote...."The run-up in the stock market from March 2009 until last month was sharp and rewarding … for some. But there was one problem, it came with disproportional risk. You see, the stock market rose to an extent that it was pricing in perfection … a V-shaped recovery … a return to normal."

Fact vs. Fiction on Today’s Economy
A quote...."There is a lot of “noise” being tossed out by the politicos and their preferred pundits about how the U.S. economy is on the mend. Thus it is important to try and separate fact from fiction about where things really stand."

The Unbelievably Rampant Corruption On Wall Street
A quote...."In order for a financial system to be able to function properly, it is absolutely essential that the general population has faith in it.  After all, who is going to want to invest in the stock market or entrust their money to big financial institutions if there is not at least the perception of honesty and fairness in the financial marketplace?  For decades, the American people did have faith in Wall Street.  But now that faith is being shattered by a string of recent revelations.  It seems as though the rampant corruption on Wall Street is seeping up almost everywhere now.  In fact, some of the things that have come out recently have been absolutely jaw-dropping.  The truth is that the corruption on Wall Street is much deeper and much more systemic than most of us ever dared to imagine." - also posted at AlethoNews
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The End of Fiscal Sovereignty in Europe
Must Read - A quote...."MILAN – The late Milton Friedman said that a common currency – that is, a monetary union – cannot be sustained without a deep form of economic and political union. By this, he meant an open economy that ensures the free flow of goods, labor, and capital, together with a disciplined central fiscal authority and a strong central bank. The latter two are pillars of a strong currency. They work in tandem. But the other pieces are no less important."

Euro Momentarily Stabilized — German Ban on Naked Credit Default Swaps Is Working
Contains Video- Special Note - Alt - (RTYuTb - 5 min 4 sec - May 21, 2010  A quote...."Tuesday’s German ban on naked credit default swaps – a measure repeatedly demanded by this web site over recent months — has been in effect now for about three days, and it is working. The panic slide of the euro has been stopped for now, and the forces of depression and destruction have been re-directed against US stocks, commodities, and certain emerging markets. The goal of euro stability has been momentarily achieved. Sarkozy, who talked a good game of limiting speculation, has been exposed as a Euro-wimp, too weak to buck the Anglo-Saxons and go along with Berlin. The Germans had to act alone because of the obvious sabotage of the eurogarchs of the Brussels Commission, which is now promising to come up with their proposal by October (!). Given the ferocity of the hedge fund assault, many Europeans by October will have lost their shirts, and will be living under bridges dressed in barrels, if more measures are not taken this month." - For more on this issue see....The First Salvos of the Currency Wars - 05-07-10 - mpg

Euro credible but more regulation needed: Trichet
A quote...."BERLIN (AFP) – European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet insisted Saturday that the euro was a credible currency but said tighter regulation was needed of banks, markets and government policies."

Saturday May 22nd 2010

The Axis of Evil and Their Pseudo-Gangs
05-22-10
mpg

Saudi King slams intelligence leak
Special Note - Breaking: Sat, 22 May 2010 09:57:48 GMT  -- A quote...."The King of Saudi Arabia has strongly criticized the country's intelligence officials for disclosing a secret document, which shows Riyadh has links with terrorist activities carried out by al-Qaeda in Iraq." -- For more on this issue see....US Support of Terror

A brief statement by this website editor...The Saudi Royal Family, Israel,  and the US-NRE are the "true axis of evil".

More than thirty years ago the three actors named above joined together and set out to radicalize a tiny portion of the Muslim community in an attempt to create what are known as pseudo-gangs. (see articles shown below)  This was a tactic practiced with great success by the British during the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya and with very little success by the French during their attempts to retain their hold on Algeria.

Almost all of these pseudo-gang members they've created (currently known as al-Qaeda) were recruited from the Arabian peninsula, most of them from Saudi Arabia with a few from Yemen, and almost all of whom were deliberately indoctrinated with the Saudi Royal's radical version of Wahhabiist ideology and training prior to their recruitment.  Recruitment which usually took place in the Saudi Royal's ever expanding network of madrassas, now rapidly spreading worldwide.

These three actors, with an assist from elements within the British establishment, embarked on their long term and prodigious effort to create an "arch of instability" (their term) across the oil rich sector of Eurasia primarily to serve as a never ending justification for the occupation of the entire region by the US-NRE's & Britain's armed forces in accordance with the PNAC Protocols.

Protocols formulated to to help establish the sort of back-drop necessary to stage events like 9/11 & 7/11. To use these "catalyzing events" as the pretext to eliminate Israel's and the Saudi Royals perceived enemies....the Bathist regime in Iraq and Shi'a regime of Iran, and to create conditions sufficiently favorable to allow Israel free reign to eliminate the "Palestinian problem" forever.  No doubt it was considered a win-win situation for all three of these actors along with those in the British establishment.

Members of the Jewish Community residing in the US-NRE, such as those who run the New York Times, FOX News and other organizations, who deliberately  supress these facts and the many trails which lead directly to Israel's involvement with 9/11 & 7/11 are not practicing "discretion" on behalf of the Jewish community's delicate sensibilities regarding their support for Israel, they are in fact practicing treason. - mpg
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9/11 - From The History File..General Frank Kitson: Trail Blazing Fake Terrorism
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Proud to be a American [Neo-Roman Zionist Thug]
Video - A quote...."Yet another video of Brave American [Neo-Roman Zionist Thug] soldiers surrounding, then shooting to death an unarmed old Iraqi man. Notice the fear on the faces of our intrepid heroes and their vile battle cries for blood as they encircle him and then shoot him down in cold blood even though he is clearly unarmed - and poses absolutely no threat to anyone. And the coup de grace? As our heroes surround the corpse one of them shouts, "Arrest him!"

Your Royal Majesty Hillary, this is for YOU!
Contains Video - A quote...."Your Majesty, if you want to start another 'War for Wall Street and Israel' against Iran, first make sure your child is in the Army or Marines, with express orders to be deployed first to Afghanistan, then to the front lines of your next fantasy war in Tehran. -- In fact, why wait? Have Chelsea sign up NOW with either the Army Airborne or Marine Recon and with express orders to be sent to a 'hot' combat zone. -- Let your family reap what you have helped sow."

Taliban offensive in full effect in Afghanistan
Video - Alt - A quote...."The assault on the Kandahar air field comes just days after two Taliban attacks on US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. - The group says it has now begun its "summer offensive" and will increasingly hit foreign troops. - Codenamed Al Fatah, or victory, the operation anticipates a planned summer offensive by coalition forces in Kandahar, aimed at driving the Taliban from their traditional heartland."

Five British troops injured as Taliban shoots down chopper in Afghanistan
A quote...."Kabul, May 22, 2010 - (ANI): Five British troops were injured when their helicopter was forced to crash-land after being shot by a Taliban rocket. -- According to reports, a rocket propelled grenade struck the Sea King as it came in to land at a checkpoint in Afghanistan."

Israeli aerospace official: Iran cruise missile poses 'extremely serious' threat
A quote...."TEL AVIV — Israel has been closely monitoring Iran's long-range cruise missile program -- Officials said the intelligence community has been examining Iran's efforts to develop and produce a long-range cruise missile. They said the missile could fly under the radar of most regional states and change the balance of power in the Middle East."

Hezbollah reportedly mobilizing in Lebanon ahead of large IDF drill
War Alert - A quote...."Hezbollah official warns the organization will be prepared to attack if Israel launches offensive on Lebanon, AFP reports." - also posted at WarInIraq

Lebanon PM slams Israel defence drill
A quote...."CAIRO (AFP) – Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Saturday lashed out at Israel's defence exercises and said they ran counter to current Middle East peace efforts."

Iran: US main root of Afghan extremism
A quote...."Iran's foreign minister calls US the main perpetrator of radicalism in Afghanistan reiterating that the country's difficulties can only be resolved through regional collaboration."

UK to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
A quote...."In a U-turn in Britain's policy regarding the Afghan war, senior government officials say they want UK soldiers to return home as soon as possible. -- In an interview with The Times newspaper before arriving in Kabul on Saturday, Defense Secretary Liam Fox described the Afghan war as Britain's most urgent priority. -- He said no more troops will be deployed in Afghanistan, adding that he wants to speed up the withdrawal of UK soldiers and training of Afghan forces." - also posted at AlethoNews & WarInIraq

British ministers on Afghan visit want troops out
Related Article - A quote...."Senior British cabinet ministers, led by new Foreign Secretary William Hague, arrived in Afghanistan Saturday with a warning that Britain wants to withdraw its troops as soon as possible." - also posted at YahooNews & France24

Taliban win £1,600 bounty for each Nato soldier killed
Oh look, the Taliban have finally adopted the US-NRE's well known program, carried out in Iraq, of offering bounties and rewards for those it has targeted. A long standing practice of the US-NRE almost everywhere else in the world one might add.  It should warm the cockles of every Neocon's shriveled little heart to see the Taliban embrace free-market capitalism so quickly and with such fervor. - mpg -- A quote...."TALIBAN rebels are earning a bounty of up to 200,000 Pakistani rupees (£1,660) for each Nato soldier they kill, according to insurgent commanders. -- The money is said to come from protection rackets, taxes imposed on opium farmers, donors in the Gulf states who channel money through Dubai and from the senior Taliban leadership in Pakistan."

SCO summit under the Chairmanship of Uzbekistan opens in Tashkent
A quote...."TASHKENT, May 22 (Itar-Tass) -- A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) under the Chairmanship of Uzbekistan has opened in Tashkent on Saturday." - also posted at WarInIraq

Talks of an alleged coup d’etat in Kyrgyzstan leaked onto Youtube
Video - Special Note - (possible US-NRE counter-coup attempt) - A quote...."A recording of a conversation between what appears to be Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president’s son and brother was posted on Youtube. The recording reveals plans to topple the interim government and return the ousted regime. - The audio was allegedly sent as a media file from a Kyrgyz number registered to an employee of the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. The Embassy has, in turn, denied any involvement in the matter." - bold by website editor

German Made Torpedo Sunk South Korean Cheonan
Special Note - (possible false flag) - A quote...."It was reported that an investigation in South Korea has determined the metal and explosive residues from the torpedo that sank their ship Cheonan, are consistent with that used by German manufacturers. - Since Germany does not trade weapons with North Korea, it might be important to investigate who does."

Egyptian General: 9/11 Was Part of New World Order's Plan
Must View Video - Alt - (YouTube - 6min 54 sec - May 22, 2010) - Hey!!  Everyone throughout the entire world now knows 9/11 was a set-up - mpg

No War for Israel in Iran - Keep Americans Safe
Must View Video - Alt - Great video, and no, all that matters is the truth, not the checkered past or even the alleged motivations of the one who tells it.  What matters is that it's the TRUTH -- told well -- told simply -- and told truthfully! - mpg

OIC: Israeli occupation of Golan Heights threat to global security
A quote...."Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israel's continued threats against Syria, aimed at escalating regional tensions, are endangering global peace and security, foreign ministers convening at the Organization of Islamic Conference said Thursday." - also posted at Uruknet

Report: Israeli soldiers shoot Bedouin`s camel
A quote...."Bethlehem – Ma'an – Israeli soldiers shot the camel of Bedouin farmers dead on Friday night, Palestinian officials said, following an altercation with the owners. - Israeli media said the three soldiers involved in the incident left their Jericho-area military base without permission, and admitted to killing the animal after the owners filed a complaint with the local Civil Administration office… " - also posted at IPTMH
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Obama wins the right to detain people with no habeas review
Special Note - A quote...."Few issues highlight Barack Obama's extreme hypocrisy the way that Bagram does. As everyone knows, one of George Bush’s most extreme policies was abducting people from all over the world -- far away from any battlefield -- and then detaining them at Guantanamo with no legal rights of any kind, not even the most minimal right to a habeas review in a federal court.  Back in the day, this was called "Bush's legal black hole."  - also posted at AlethoNews

Maryland Citizens Face Felony Charges for Recording Cops
Contains Video - Alt - A quote...."(KurtNimmo) – In Maryland, it is a felony to record thuggish cops as they push around skateboarding teenagers, beat sports patrons, and pull guns on motorists for speeding."

The Continuing Erosion of the Bill of Rights
A quote...."I keep seeing people go absolutely mad over Arizona's immigration reform bill. But nobody seems to care about the ever growing erosion of our civil liberties by the federal government! Why is this?" - Source: PrisonPlanet

The trial of the man who tried to arrest George W. Bush
Contains Videos - A quote...."On March 17, 2009, Mohawk activist Splitting the Sky (STS) attempted a citizens’ arrest on George W. Bush in Calgary (Canada), his first foreign visit as a private citizen without diplomatic immunity. Brutally arrested for his action, STS earned his "day in court" in March 2010 to highlight the hypocrisy of the Canadian Government for allowing Bush into Canada, in breach of its own laws. STS is a compelling example of the duty of citizens to act when our governments and their agents are derelict in their own duty. Former U.S. Attorney-General Ramsey Clark plans to be in Calgary for the June 7 sentencing of STS. Joshua Blakeney believes that Clark’s presence, as well as international public opinion, will mount pressure on the Canadian judiciary who failed to issue an arrest warrant for Bush and who now must decide the fate of STS."
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

Aid convoy sets off for Gaza
Action Update - A quote...."The biggest attempt by international aid groups to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip has gotten underway. Nine ships under the banner, Freedom Flotilla, began their journey to Gaza on Saturday, despite warnings from Israel that they will be stopped for "breaching Israeli law"." - also posted at WarInIraq

Thousands Turn Out to See Off Turkish Aid Convoy To Gaza  -- Second Ship Joins the Freedom Flotilla on Way to Gaza -- Action Update - Contains Video - A quote...."[Istanbul, Turkey – 22 May, 2010] Amid cheers and waving of Turkish and Palestinian flags, the second ship to join the Freedom Flotilla left Istanbul this afternoon. Sponsored by the Turkish humanitarian organization, Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), the ship will carry 600 passengers to Gaza as part of the ‘blockade busting’ flotilla. It joins eight other boats coming from three other countries carrying 10,000 tons of supplies to the Palestinian people, supplies that have been denied to them by Israel. Boats will meet in the Mediterranean, then turn toward Gaza to arrive at its beseiged slice of beachfront by the end of May. Free Gaza Movement’s  MV Rachel Corrie is already on her way from Ireland and is presently off the coast of Portugal loaded with cement, paper and supplies for school children and medical equipment."

Turkey challenges Israel by dispatching ship, supporters to Gaza
Action Update - A quote...."ISTANBUL, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkey challenged Israel here on Saturday by dispatching a special ship with 500 supporters and 20 million U.S. dollars worth of humanitarian goods to Gaza. -- About 5,000 supporters and activists showed up at the ceremony in solidarity with the people in Gaza and sent off the ship that will join a convey to bring supplies to Palestinians behind the Gaza blockade."

[Israeli] Soldiers fire at ambulance evacuating injured demonstrator
A quote...."The West Bank village of An Nabi Saleh held their weekly demonstration on Friday, attempting to reach the village land that has been annexed by the illegal settlement of Halamish. Demonstrators marched down from the village mosque till they were blocked by a line of Israeli soldiers and jeeps. Participants chanted, danced and sang for approximately half an hour before the military decided to violently disperse the group by throwing tear gas and sound grenades directly at the participants." - also posted at AlethoNews & WarInIraq & Uruknet

Barhoum: Expulsions continues under Mitchell cover
A quote...."Gaza - Ma'an - Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called the deportation of a Hamas lawmaker from Jerusalem, then a Gaza-born man and his brother from their Beersheba home an "escalation...carried out under the cover of negotiations." - also posted at IPTMH

Bethlehem Checkpoint : Palestinians kept in cages before going to work = DEHUMANISATION
Video - Alt - A quote...."People are in these cages for up to 4 hours a day. So nearly one day a week they are in a cage. Thousands of people have to wait in line for hours on their way to work. This is the line leading to the checkpoint itself. Inside the checkpoint they will have to go through additional checks and wait once more in long lines."

Israelis stealing food from Palestinians on their way to work
Video - Alt - A quote...."More evidence of ethnic cleansing this time by starvation which makes them weak for work. Through Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim) checkpoint Palestinians from the West Bank who have work permits to work in Israel pass daily. The checkpoint is operated by a private security company called Modi'in Ezrachi. The company limits the types and amounts of food that the workers passing through the checkpoint can take with them. These limitations are a decision of this company and are not dictated by the GSS (the Shabak) or by the Ministry of Defense."

Nakba: Three Videos
Videos - Yafa's/Return - 30kPalestinians - SandsOfSorrow - A quote...."Three investigative videos to coincide with the 62nd anniversary of the “Nakba” "
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The Giant Banks, Federal Reserve and Treasury Have All Blackmailed America
A quote...."As I wrote last October: -- Congressmen Brad Sherman and Paul Kanjorski and Senator James Inhofe all say that the government warned of martial law if Tarp wasn't passed. And Rahm Emanuel famously said...."


AIG Executives Won't Face Criminal Charges
A quote...."Federal prosecutors will not bring criminal charges against current and former American International Group  Inc. executives for their role surrounding financial contracts that nearly brought down the insurer about two years ago, according to people familiar with the matter." - In other words they got away with it, including all their bonuses. - mpg

Press TV-On the edge with Max Keiser-05-21-2010 (part1) - (MaxTV/part2) - (MaxTV/part3)
Videos - Max&GC(1/3) - Max&GC(2/3) - Max&GC(3/3) - Source: PressTV -- A quote...."Latest on the state of global economy with Max Keiser [& Gerald Celente]"

The Mystery of Capital
A quote...."So the dust has settled on the Senate bill, and it remains studiously vague about capital requirements — no hard leverage cap, for example. This is what the administration wanted, for two reasons: first, they claim that regulators need ongoing flexibility to modify capital requirements; second, they claim that they need flexibility to negotiate a uniform international agreement."

Friday May 21st 2010

US Soldiers Speaks The Truth – War Crimes Exposed!
Must View Video - Alt - (YouTube - 10 min 57 sec - May 12, 2010) -- A quote...."Revised version of "War Made Easy - The Shocking Truth". Had to make some changes."  --  "Naturally the common people don"t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country" ~  *Hermann Goering* during the Nuremberg Trials

Border officials seek to expand Texas drone's range  - link posted at ICH
A quote....."U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Thursday that border officials have broadened their request to fly an unmanned aircraft in Texas to allow the drone to cruise along the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Rio Grande." -- For more on this sort of issue see articles and comments shown below....


Is America Yearning for Fascism - posted at ICH
Video - Alt1 - Alt2 - (YuTb & VodPod - 9 min 58 sec - May 20, 2010) -- A quote...."The similarities between the former Bush Administration and those of a fascist government were overwhelming. And when a recent billboard popped up with a photo of W and the caption Miss Me Yet? it has to make you wonder whether or not Americans actually prefer a fascist form of government. Thats exactly the question that best-selling author Chris Hedges has posed, and he recently spoke to Ring of Fire's Mike Papantonio about his reasoning behind this very serious observation." -- See also the article....Is America ‘Yearning for Fascism’?

Jews [Members from the Jewish Community] are eight times over-represented in UK parliament
A quote...."Proportional Representation” is a big buzz-word in the UK these days. It implies fairer voting and fairer government. It is claimed to give minorities a better chance of being heard and therefore, they say, it should be incorporated into the “new politics” our shiny new coalition government has promised us. -- But one minority group needs no help in that direction. -- The Jewish Chronicle has published a list of Jewish MPs in Britain's parliament. It names 24 – Conservatives 12, Labour 10 and Liberal Democrats two. -- I thought it was more. But let us for the sake of argument accept the Jewish Chronicle’s figures. -- The Jewish population in the UK is 280,000 or 0.46 per cent. There are 650 seats in the House of Commons so, as a proportion, Jewish entitlement is only three seats. -- With 24 seats they are eight times over-represented. Which means, of course, that other groups must be under-represented, including Muslims." - bold by website editor - also posted at AlethoNews & WarInIraq -- For more on this issue see....It's Pronounced "The Jewish Community" - 03-15-10 - mpg

Obama — still a slave of the Israel lobby
A quote...."There seems to be a near-universal consensus that sanctions won’t persuade Iran’s leaders to abandon the Islamic republic’s uranium enrichment program — but maybe that’s besides the point. Maybe by now what would be the most cynical interpretation of the Obama administration’s objectives can also be treated as the most credible view." - also posted at AlethoNews

House votes 410-4 to award another $205 million to - [Israel of course]
A quote...."The only "No" votes came from John Conyers, Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, and Pete Stark." - also posted at AlethoNews - Four men out of 410 who weren't sniveling, groveling, butt-kissing, cowards of AIPAC.  It's simply DISGUSTING what money can buy you these days. - mpg
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Take the Deal, Mr. President - Article also posted at ICH
Special Note - A quote...."May 21, 2010 "Creators" - -If Barack Obama is sincere in his policy of "no nukes in Iran — no war with Iran," he will halt this rude dismissal of the offer Tehran just made to ship half its stockpile of uranium to Turkey. -- Consider what President Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah himself have just committed to do. -- Iran will deliver 1,200 kilograms, well over a ton, of its 2-ton stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU) to Turkey. In return, Iran will receive, in a year, 120 kilograms of fuel rods for its U.S.-built reactor that produces medical isotopes for treating cancer patients. -- Not only did Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Lula da Silva of Brazil put their prestige on the line by flying to Tehran, the deal they got is a near-exact replica of the deal Obama offered Iran eight months ago." - bold by website editor - also posted at Creaters

India snubs US, hails Iran's N-plan - link posted at ICH
A quote...."NEW DELHI: The growing policy rift between India and the US on how to deal with Iran's nuclear enrichment plans has come out in the open with foreign minister S M Krishna disagreeing with the American position to welcome Tehran's decision to send its low enriched uranium stock to Turkey."

‘Who said Iran is a matter for the United States?’: Lula
A quote...."Brasilia (AFP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hit out at the United States Thursday, challenging its muscular approach on Iran that sidelined diplomatic efforts he made this week to resolve the showdown. -- Newspaper columnists ’say that it was none of Brazil’s business to be an intermediary with Iran. But who said it was a matter for the United States?’ he asked after returning from an overseas tour that included Tehran. -- ‘The blunt truth is, Iran is being presented as if it were the devil, that it doesn’t want to sit down’ to negotiate. -- To the contrary, said Lula, ‘Iran decided to sit down at the negotiating table. It wants to see if the others are going to go along with what (it) has done.’"

Iran, Sun Tzu and the dominatrix
A quote...."Let's face it: Hillary Clinton is one hell of a dominatrix. -- At first the United States Secretary of State said the Brazil-Turkey mediation to get Iran to accept a nuclear fuel swap was destined to fail. Then the US State Department said it was the "last chance" for an agreement without sanctions. And finally, less than 24 hours after a successful agreement in Tehran, Hillary whips the UN Security Council into submission and triumphantly proclaims to the world a draft resolution for a fourth UN round of sanctions against Iran has been reached."

Another realist gone
Full quote...."Admiral Dennis Blair was fired immediately after the Brazil-Turkey-Iran deal, and right after Hillary made a fool of herself and her country by continuing the sanction talk. The fangs are just dripping with blood. Blair was a 'realist' (i.e., 'anti-Semite'), and an anti-hawk on Iran. It will be interesting to see if he will be blamed for the intelligence cock-up - which the fangers probably think was intentional - that lead to the Americans being so flat footed on the Iran deal."

Red faces at Foggy Bottom
A quote...."Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett on the Jew-slave, Hillary Clinton (my emphasis in [bold]): -- "Her actions may also have reflected a certain amount of dishonesty - we do not know what other word to use - on the Obama Administration's part. In the wake of the Brazil-Turkey deal, the Administration is once again requiring Iran's suspension of all activities related to uranium enrichment to avoid the imposition of new sanctions. As of Monday, the Administration's position is that, even if Tehran carried out the steps specified in its agreement with Brazil and Turkey, new sanctions should be adopted unless Iran suspends enrichment activities."

Nuclear fuel swap deal off if sanctions imposed, MP says
A quote...."TEHRAN -- If a new UN sanctions resolution is ratified, Iran will shelve the nuclear fuel swap agreement it reached with Turkey and Brazil, Deputy Majlis Speaker Mohammad-Reza Bahonar said on Thursday." - also posted at WarInIraq
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Iran and Turkey: Strategic Vision from Foreign Minister Davutoğlu
Full quote...."Turkey and its foreign policy are obviously at the top of the news agenda these days because of Turkey’s increasingly central role in international diplomacy surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue.  We have written previously about the intellectual framework for Turkey’s foreign policy toward the Middle East and the Islamic Republic of Iran more specifically; see here, here, and here.  But today, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu published an authoritative and exceptionally rich piece in ForeignPolicy.com, “Turkey’s Zero-Problems Foreign Policy”, which we want to highlight here. "

Russia: We'll sell advanced missile system to Iran
A quote...."Harsher sanctions on Iran will not prevent Russia from fulfilling its obligation and selling the S-300 missile system to Tehran, a senior Russian parliamentarian said Friday."

US mum over China's links to Iran
A quote...."China and the United States have been down a rocky road together over the past two decades with respect to China's missile technology transfers to Iran. Today, China's ongoing contributions to the buildup of Iran's missile forces warrant closer scrutiny."

Yemeni president hints at unity gov't
A quote...."With international pressure intensifying on Yemen to put aside domestic conflict, President Ali Abdullah Saleh pledges to form a national unity government. - "It is possible to form a government of all the influential political parties represented in the parliament," Saleh said in a televised address on Friday. - He also claimed that his government would free imprisoned southern separatists and northern Shia fighters known as the Houthis."

Shanghai Cooperation Organization starts work on expansion procedure
Geo-Political Note - A quote...."The foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have approved a project on the procedure for the adoption of new members, Uzbekistan's top diplomat said on Saturday. - "The document sets out the start of the process of forming a legal base for the expansion of the organization," Vladimir Norov said at a Tashkent meeting ahead of summit in June. - The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan."

Latin America’s New Middle Class Rulers: Stabilization, Growth and Inequality
Special Note - Analysis - A quote...."Latin America’s current relations with the US as well as its present political and economic configuration can best be understood in the context of large scale changes over the past twenty years and the relative stability of the past five years."

MI5 faces probe over 7/7
Special Note - A quote...."LONDON — Inquests into the deaths of 56 people in London's July 2005 suicide bombings will probe alleged failings by police and MI5 intelligence before the attacks, the coroner conducting the hearings said Friday." - bold by website editor - How about their complicity? - mpg
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

The Future of Palestine: Righteous Jews vs. the New Afrikaners
Must Read - A quote...."The story I will tell is straightforward. Contrary to the wishes of the Obama administration and most Americans – to include many American Jews – Israel is not going to allow the Palestinians to have a viable state of their own in Gaza and the West Bank. Regrettably, the two-state solution is now a fantasy. Instead, those territories will be incorporated into a “Greater Israel,” which will be an apartheid state bearing a marked resemblance to white-ruled South Africa. Nevertheless, a Jewish apartheid state is not politically viable over the long term. In the end, it will become a democratic bi-national state, whose politics will be dominated by its Palestinian citizens. In other words, it will cease being a Jewish state, which will mean the end of the Zionist dream."

Protester critical after West Bank demonstration
A quote...."Ramallah – Ma'an – One protester was critically injured, witnesses in Al-Ma'asara said, after Israeli forces shot tear-gas canisters and sound bombs at a non-violent rally south of Bethlehem on Friday. " - also posted at ITPMH

Qatar's offer to help rebuild Gaza is snubbed by Netanyahu
A quote...."Israel has turned down an offer from Qatar for a reopening of diplomatic contacts between the two countries in return for the Gulf state being allowed to import supplies to Gaza to carry out a series of badly needed reconstruction projects." - also posted at WarInIraq

Rampant employment discrimination against Palestinian workers in Israel
A quote...."Unemployed computer engineer Morad Lashin would like to work in Israel's Electricity Company, a large state utility, but admits his chances of being recruited are slim."

Israeli armed boats open fire at fishing boats in Gaza
A quote...."Telegraph) - Israeli armed boats opened fire today at Palestinian fishing boats in northern Gaza waters. - The Israeli armed boats opened heavy fire towards dozens of Palestinian fishing boats on Al-Sodaneya coastal area, north of Gaza Strip, no casualties were reported. - Israeli gunboats stationed in the waters of Gaza target Palestinian fishing boats on a daily basis, claiming that they sail beyond the allowed distance of three miles."

Barred by Israel, US, EU delegations enter Gaza at Rafah
A quote...."Bethlehem - Ma'an - Ahead of their visit to Israel and Palestine, 15 members of the European Parliament released a statement saying they "deplored the Israeli authorities' refusal to grant access to Gaza" for the delegation."

Palestinian Economic Boycott Hits Israeli Settlers - A small victory for the BDS movement - mpg
Action Update - Boycott, Divest and Sanction, because unless we the people FORCE the Israelis to stop their barbaric behavior, they won't.  It's as simple as that. - mpg -- A quote...."RAMALLAH, May 20, 2010 (IPS) - Israeli settlers are beginning to feel the bite of an economic boycott campaign launched by the Palestinian Authority (PA) against goods produced in the illegal Israeli settlements dotting the occupied West Bank." - also posted at USCACBI - For more on how to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the state of Israel see the upper-left-corner of the "Front Page" of this website.

Boycotts are bustin’ out all over
Action Update - Boycott, Divest and Sanction, because something has to be done. - mpg - A quote....Have you heard the boycott news? -- Singer/songwriter/rock-n-roller Elvis Costello has not only canceled two gigs in Israel, but he’s come out with a powerful public statement of his support for boycott:" - For more on how to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the state of Israel see the upper-left-corner of the "Front Page" of this website.

Noam Chomsky's Contradictions on Palestine
Contains Video - A quote...."I have a great deal of admiration and respect for Noam Chomsky, one of the foremost intellectuals of our time, whose work opened my eyes on a great many issues. But like many others, I have been increasingly baffled by the many inconsistencies in his views on Palestine. A few months ago, for example, I responded  to his opposition to the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement on Khalil Bendib's radio program Voices from the Middle East and North Africa. --  After Chomsky was outrageously barred by Israel from traveling to the occupied West Bank over the weekend, I could not help but be struck by yet another glaring contradiction."

ABBAS IS AN AGENT
Special Note - I tell you I cannot imagine how horrible it must be for Palestinians to watch Abbas giving any and everything away to the US and Israel. This from a man who has not legally held the office of President for a long time now, due to his fear of elections, and whom does not represent the majority of Palestinians. But rather a man who works for the US and Israel against his own people!! He’s insane, and it’s now confirmed, Abbas has lost his mind. --  As we reported on 27 April, he has already caved on 1. the right of return, and 2. not declaring a Palestinian State unless Israel agrees with it! Then only days later, he tells the Americans he will allow NATO soldiers into any “new” Palestinian state on a PERMANENT basis, and that any new Palestinian state would be demilitarized forever!! Meaning they will NOT be a sovereign state, as they will never be allowed to have their own army, but what they WILL be, is an occupied subdivision of Greater Israel, occupied by foreign soldiers forever, much like Iraq and Afghanistan!!  --  In essence he swaps one occupation for another. Oh, but hes’ not done giving away things just yet. Wait till you see what this insane man offered up to Israel today. But first this reminder of what he’s already given up:
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Sell in May and Run Away . . . Fast
Must Read - A quote...." Around the world in late 2008, central banks inflated massively to save the financial structure. They bought government bonds. They loaned money to commercial banks. The Federal Reserve swapped assets with the largest banks, giving them T-bills at face value and taking back toxic assets without any market for them. This was like trading the family silver for crushed beer cans. Congress said nothing. Keynesian economists cheered Bernanke's brilliance. -- The collapse of the largest banks was delayed. Their survival enabled them to swallow the busted giants like Wachovia. The central bank bought bad assets and time. The assets are still bad, and the clock is ticking."

The Rightwing-Wall Street Alliance to Blunt Economic Reform -- Twisted Minds
Special Note - A quote...."Attempts to rewrite the history of the economic crisis come in many forms; some come from the reactionary right, others from centrists and the liberal left – but all are pursued in the service of neoliberal corporatism.  I’ve written previously on the efforts of right-wingers to blame the housing bubble on “big government” and community activists on the left who sought increased funding for affordable housing.  Diatribes from Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Dana Perino, and other right-wingers in recent weeks seek to blame the 2008 collapse, not on Wall Street, but on the Community Reinvestment Act, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Democrats like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, all of whom pushed homeownership for the poor and working class."

Obama’s Wall Street “reform” bill passes - US Senate rubber-stamps the dictatorship of the big banks
Related Article - A quote...."The US Senate’s passage of the Obama administration’s financial reform bill Thursday was hailed in the media and by official Washington as a landmark effort to curb the power of the big banks. But on Wall Street itself, the news was greeted with a mixture of dismissal and applause."

U.S. companies lobby Congress on derivatives-WSJ
A quote...."July 10 (Reuters) - At least 42 nonfinancial companies and trade associations are lobbying the U.S. Congress to push back on proposals that regulate the over-the-counter derivatives market, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday."

Senate Passes Wall Street Permanent Bailout Bill, It’s a Job Killer!
A quote...."The Senate passes the Wall Street Reform Bill (S. 3217) by a 59-39 vote, if it passes the House it will kill jobs by making it difficult for small businesses to succeed and it will give permanent and unlimited bailout authority for the big banks on Wall Street. It would also do nothing to solve problems in the financial system and won’t prevent the next financial crisis."

Our SIXTH Warning: Dow in Danger!
A quote...."By my count, this is at least our SIXTH clear, unambiguous warning of danger in the Dow — sent to you in just the last 60 days! - On March 27, Mike Burnick warned you — right here in Money and Markets — that the big stock market rally of 2009-2010 “could come to a crashing end at any time.”

32 [US] States Now Officially Bankrupt: $37.8 Billion Borrowed From Treasury To Fund Unemployment; CA, MI, NY Worst -- Table - A quote...."Courtesy of Economic Policy Journal we now know that the majority of American states are currently insolvent, and that the US Treasury has been conducting a shadow bailout of at least 32 US states. Over 60% of Americans receiving state unemployment benefits are getting these directly from the US government, as 32 states have now borrowed $37.8 billion from Uncle Sam to fund unemployment insurance. "

America Will Pass $13 Trillion In Total Debt Next Tuesday; $397 Billion In Debt Rolled Month To Date
A quote...."Total US debt just hit $12,987,823,000,000, $13 billion from lucky $13 trillion. As next week the US Treasury is auctioning off another gross $140+ billion in Bonds, we will pass this totally irrelevant resistance level on May 25, when Timmy issues another $42 billion of 2 Year Notes. The next important support level of $14 trillion will be surpassed around the time the Democrats get destroyed in the mid-term elections, while the statutory debt limit of $14.3 trillion will likely have to be raised in January 2011 by a new republican majority, an action which will promptly reduce popular republican support following their ladnslide election victory, thus starting the pointless D->R->D->R etc cycle all over again."

China's trade chief says to proceed with RMB reform, keep stimulus
A quote...."BRUSSELS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to proceed with the reform of its currency yuan, or RMB, and keep its fiscal stimulus in place for now, Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said on Friday."

Thursday May 20th 2010

"The Obama administration has “screwed up the messaging” about its support for Israel over the past 14 months, and it will take “more than one month to make up for 14 months,” White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said"