César Chávez

I read that César Chávez once said that there is no defeat in non-violent struggle.  Of course, there is.

Sisi justice

I have learned that Gen. Sisi did not like the death sentence against 528 Egyptians. He ordered that the judge in the case, and all the lawyers and spectators in the court be executed as well--in addition to the 528.  And Sisi justice is served.

US intelligence

"Instead, there was an entirely one-sided system in which government attorneys presented the supposed interests of the intelligence community in the most expansive way possible, and the judges of a poorly resourced court tried unsuccessfully, and sometimes halfheartedly, to imagine what ordinary citizens might say in response. Over time, and perhaps without entirely meaning to, the court developed a wholly new body of law, a body of law animated not by democratic principles but by the values of the intelligence community – collect, analyze, conceal.

The intelligence committees that were meant to serve as a further check on unwarranted government surveillance failed just as profoundly. They allowed the intelligence community to launch dragnet programs when narrower programs would have been equally effective. They allowed it to mislead the public about the scope of its surveillance activities. They allowed it to pretend that the government's surveillance technology was directed at suspected terrorists abroad when in fact it was directed at ordinary citizens."

Greenwald on Obama's New NSA Proposal

"Whatever test exists for determining whether 'unauthorized' disclosures of classified information are justified, Snowden’s revelations pass the test with ease.
That President Obama now proclaims the need to end a domestic spying program that would still be a secret in the absence of Snowden’s whistleblowing proves that quite compellingly." (thanks Regan)

The White House and human rights in the Middle East

From K: "from RT "US criticizes Saudi denial of reporter visa"  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/03/us-criticises-saudi-denial-reporter-visa-2014325224739339432.html
"Correspondent working for Israeli newspaper only journalist denied visa to cover Obama's visit to the Kingdom"

the article speaks for itself, but basically says that it is a US national issue to push for a visa for a reporter- the same US that would not criticize a foreign country for bulldozing a US citizen to death while protecting civilians being attacked against international law. 
I can't even do justice to this story, it is so sickening:


"The White House said it was "deeply disappointed" and a journalists' group said it was outraged after Saudi Arabia denied a visa to a US citizen working for Israeli newspaper the  Jerusalem Post to cover President Barack Obama's trip to the kingdom later this week."

"Wilner, an American journalist working for the Israeli publication said in an editorial on the paper’s website he had "little doubt that my access was denied either because of my media affiliation or because of my religion."
The Jerusalem Post said top US officials including national security adviser Susan Rice had personally appealed to the Kingdom to issue a visa.
The paper said Wilner, a Jewish American, does not hold Israeli citizenship and has never lived in Israel.
The White House Correspondents' Association, a group that represents journalists, said the refusal of the visa to Wilner, who planned to travel directly to Saudi Arabia, was "outrageous."
"It is outrageous that the Saudi government has refused to allow a White House reporter entry to the country to cover this week's visit of President Barack Obama," the group said in a statement.
"The denial is an affront not only to this journalist, but to the entire White House press corps and to the principle of freedom of the press that we hold so dear," it added."

Journalistic methods of Western media on Syria

Look at this long article on Shi`ite intervention in Syria.  You read and you stumble on a Lebanese Shi`ite name (a man who is to the right of March 14) as the source for the correspondent. I kid you not.

So fanatical was Stern in his totalitarian racial ideology that he sought an alliance with the same Nazi thugs who were already murdering the Jews of Europe

"So fanatical was Stern in his totalitarian racial ideology that he sought an alliance with the same Nazi thugs who were already murdering the Jews of Europe." "Stern, widely reviled in the Leftist embryonic Jewish state, is now a hero of modern Israel’s Right-wing Likudnik mainstream. Two of his contemporaries and admirers, Yitzhak Shamir and Menachem Begin, went on to become Likud prime ministers."

British soldiers pointlessly killed hundreds of armed villagers in Afghanistan who posed no imminent threat

"British soldiers pointlessly killed hundreds of armed villagers in Afghanistan who posed no imminent threat, a former officer has claimed. In a sensational new book, Major Richard Streatfeild condemns the 'turkey shoot' tactics that led to the 'repetitive slaughter' of people that UK troops were supposed to protect."

rapist soldiers

"The military is putting two Guantánamo guards on trial in Texas next month on charges alleging they sexually assaulted junior soldiers at the remote outpost at a time when commanders were grappling with the prison hunger strike, the military said Monday."

Canadian government on anti-Semitism

"Anti-Semitism, as we all know, has no more uncompromising a foe than Stephen Harper and his government. They even denounce it where it does not exist. So we can be sure they must be outraged by Svoboda, even though in public, strangely enough, they have been silent as the grave." (thanks Amir)

Hitler analogies in US media

From Basim:  "Look at these statements, uttered within seconds of each other:

MATTHEWS: Nuance is all important. Comparisons to other leaders like Hitler don`t help me at all. I do see a pattern, though, not about Hitler but this concern about language. I think English is a good unifier. It doesn`t to be under the law. It`s a good unifier.

And I see the power of Russian and the Russian language in Ukraine and the way it has been used to re-gather the Old Soviet order in this case with Crimea coming back to Russia by plebiscite. My question is, do you think like that Hitler that Sudetenland will not be enough in this case, that Putin will try to get more of Ukraine where it`s Russian speaking and perhaps look for an easement between Moscow and Crimea through Ukraine? "

A damning evidence that Edward Snowden worked for the Russian intelligence service

Comrade Marc sent me this: "because i know u value knowledge based on credible sources and scientific methods:

"I can't say that I have seen Snowden give this information, but he's there. I know the Russians," Ruppersberger said."

Western cookies in front of head delegations at the Arab summit?

 

Look closely at the picture above.  Notice that the secretariat of the Arab League has provided each delegation head with plates of Western cookies and French Macaron.  The word word macaron is from the French macaron, which in turn is derived from the Italian maccherone, or “fine dough.”  It is known in a different form, shape, and taste) in Arabic as Ma`rkun, and tastes better than the Western version. Yet, no Arabic sweets were provided to the delegation.  I pledge, if I assume the secretariat-general of the Arab League, to only provide Arabic sweets and delicacies to the delegation as a way of honoring Arab culture. 

Paul Salem (invoking the Zionist dictum that "they only understand the language of force" calls on the US to use force against Syria

"And yet, when faced with a massive military threat, as that made by the US last August, it has buckled and made major concessions.  A regime that rules by force responds only to superior force. As long as that is not forthcoming in terms of serious military support to the Free Syrian Army or external military action, they will offer no major concessions. 

The latest pledge from the Obama administration to increase support to the opposition is welcome, but is likely to be below the level that would seriously worry the Assad regime or alter the balance of power.   And it is way below what Assad’s allies are pouring into Syria in terms of men, money and materiel.  Unless the power calculations are changed dramatically, Assad is not going anywhere in the foreseeable future."

PS Paul was my classmate in elementary school at IC, but we later parted when I skipped a grade.  I have sent him a message through my sister years ago that he should stick to music and leave politics altogether.

In response to Obama

The US does not invade its neighbors?

Liz Sly's coverage from Lebanon

To cover Turkey, Ms. Sly relies on the tweets of Russell Crowe, to cover Syria, Ms. Sly relies on the press releases of the Free Syrian Army.  If only Mr. Crowe would tweet on Syria, he would make the job of Ms. Sly much easier.

There is no Israeli lie or fabrication that US media are not willing to peddle: "Israel’s “Hollywood propaganda” about Gaza-bound missile ship unravels"

"Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in what Haaretz columnist Amir Oren condemned as a display of “Hollywood-style propaganda.”

The media stunt was to advertise what Israel claimed was a shipment of missiles en route from Iran to the Gaza Strip. At the time, many people pointed out that it was hard to understand how large missiles could be smuggled into Gaza, given Israel’s siege by land sea and air, supported by Egypt.

Iran and the Palestinian political and military organization Hamas claimed Israel was lying.

While Oren didn’t question the veracity of Israel’s claim, he did point out its propaganda value.

First, for the prime minister: the media event took place five days after the ship had been supposedly captured, but just after Netanyahu returned from a trip to the United States. Second, as form of pressure on Iran.

The claims also give Israel a pretext for its continued collective punishment of Gaza.

Oren did point out the absurdity of Israel’s indignation that Iran had accused it of lying, given that Israel itself habitually lies: “Israel’s condemnation of Iran as a liar is ridiculous. From David Ben-Gurion’s time to the present, Israel has lied when it believed it had to do so to avoid punishment.”"

US priacy in the Mediterranean

 "That operation brought an end to an attempt by a militia from eastern Libya to sell the crude in defiance of the central government in Tripoli.   The U.S. Navy handed over control of the tanker to Libyan forces Saturday while in international waters."  To Libyan Forces? Central Government?   They simply mean to the militia that is under the control of the US government.  I still remember when the US government used to support Amin Gemayyel in the 1980s and would refer to him as the "Central Government of Lebanon".

But Ms. Sly

But Ms. Sly: did Russell Crowe tweet on this matter?

I think that you have to thank the US government for this great accomplishment

"Iraq has reported its first confirmed case of polio in 14 years"

Prestige of Zionist terrorism

I mean, who talks about the prestige of a ministry? I never read in the US press that the State Department has "prestige". Notice that language that they bestow on Israel:  "Israel’s Foreign Ministry has already lost some prestige in recent years, with the country’s most strategic and delicate relationships often being handled at least in part by other offices."

Look how violations of human rights by the rebels are mere footnotes to stories

"But the United Nations report also blamed opposition forces for their continued use of suicide attacks and car bombings, and it singled out attacks on Christians by Islamist fighters in a town called Ar Raqqa.

The report says United Nations agencies have continued to be denied access to 175,000 Syrians who are besieged by government forces and 45,000 by the opposition."

What is the UN, really?

What the US government can't achieve through war, it achieves through the UN.

Notice how official UN reports (under strict instructiosn from US government) go out of their way to justify even the obstruction of aid by rebel groups

"First, the aid convoy could not enter because opposition groups in the area said they needed more time to prepare to receive the supplies.".

inherited wealth in the US

"six of the 10 wealthiest Americans are already heirs rather than self-made entrepreneurs, and the children of today’s economic elite start from a position of immense privilege. As Mr. Piketty notes, “the risk of a drift toward oligarchy is real and gives little reason for optimism.”"

Russell Crowe's views on international affairs

For the a regular coverage of the tweets of Russell Crowe on international affairs, please follow the articles by Liz Sly in the Washington Post. She is an avid follower as he informs her views of the Middle East.

Western media will call them moderate, secular, and damn good looking

"Video showing Al Qaeda linked militants are passing freely Turkish border post and pour into Syrian town of Kassab. " (thanks Ali)

The devil wears cartoons

"Saudi Arabia's top clerics have declared an Islam-inspired cartoon series, which earned praise from US President Barack Obama, a "work of the devil" that Muslims should not watch. The television version of superhero comic book "The 99" is being aired by Saudi-owned satellite channel MBC3, based in Dubai in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates." (thanks Basim)

It just hit me: Israel's dilemma

It just hit me: in the last decade, there is a new factor in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel's propaganda has become far inferior to that of its enemies. 

When Israeli kill Palstinians

Do you notice that when Israel kill Palestinians, US media never headline the facts as "Israeli troops kill Palestinians".  They strive to phrase the story and the headline in a way as to make the cause of death a mystery:  "Three Palestinians die in shootouts"  Notice the headline identify the Palestinians but not the other side as if the Palestinians died from a shootout with other Palestinians.  And then the story tell a typically Israeli propaganda convoluted story to justify the killing.

The propaganda industry on Syria

"Reading the Pictures: Were Reuters “Boy in a Syrian Bomb Factory” Photos Staged?"

In the name of fighting Boko Haram

"Nossiter also quotes the senator as saying "90 to 95 percent of the detainees were innocent people. They were just rounding up people. People were just rounded up and taken into custody." He also said "they [the military] managed to eliminate those who were in detention. The whole episode is to kill the inmates. That's all." "

The EU's Ambassador to Israel said that the EU would consider providing financial compensation for Palestinian refugees if they renounce their claim of "right of return"

"The European Union's Ambassador to Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen, said that the EU would consider providing financial compensation for Palestinian refugees if they renounce their claim of "right of return" to Israel proper as part of a permanent peace agreement with the Jewish state."

US governement will ship more democracy to Syria

"State Department officials say that opposition forces have managed to open the supply route into Aleppo from the Syrian-Turkish border that will allow Washington to send in more aid." "The State Department is expected to begin shipping large amounts of equipment and supplies to the FSA as early as this week. Trucks carrying the first batch of assistance are currently lined up waiting to get into the country." "The majority of assistance flows into Syria from Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries." (thanks Amir)

Balance at Columbia University

"Columbia debate on Israeli policies features 3 Zionists, no Palestinians".  But this is true about Zionists in the US (they are very much like March 14 in Lebanon): they only debate docile opponents (or friends posing as opponents) that they can easily wipe the floor with. 

Watching Arab media

The "guy" to the right is saying: "Ever since I started believing Aljazeera and Al-Arabiyya I feel that I look different". 

Human Rights Watch: really

Yesterday, faking more than usual an amount of moral outrage, Human Rights Watch issued a stern call for imposing an arms embargo on the Syrian regime (but not on the rebels, naturally).  It said that the use of fighter jets was particularly appalling. I asked on Twitter its Beirut director whether decades of indiscriminate bombings by sea, land, and air by the terrorist state of Israel has ever led the hypocritical organization  (which is finally being seen as a mere arm of US foreign policy in the region by the Arab people) to call for an arms embargo on Israel. 

Barrel Bombs

Barrel bombs.  1) Barrel bombs are cruel explosives that are not precise but that is quite characteristic of the Syrian regime and its brutality. 2) Car bombs and indiscriminate shelling by armed Syrian groups are not less cruel. 3) You need to remember that Western bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan are probably or even certainly far more cruel and savage (and far more devastating) than barrel bombs. 4) Barrel bombs were used by the Lebanese Army against the Nahr Al-Barid refugee camp but Western government not only did not condemn their use, they even supplied the explosives, ammunition and helicopters.  Spare me fake moral outrage.  

Sisi News

The Sisi regime has just announced that it sentenced 20 million Egyptian to death.  All were convicted of terrorism or derivative crimes.

Aljazeera censors remove an article by Joseph Massad

"Al Jazeera English has once again removed an article by Columbia University professor Joseph Massadhours after publishing it.  The article, “The Dahlan Factor,” appeared for several hours on the Qatar-based broadcaster’s website this morning at this link, but was later removed without explanation."

The Misuse of the image of King PlayStation of Jordan

Apparently, the wide circulation of this picture of King PlayStation of Jordan offended the King and his family deeply (see the post below on the new government rule against "misuse" of pictures of the king).  Why? does he not look dignified in it?

A campaign to tear the Qur'an apart in Saudi Arabia

In response to the recent royal decree by the Saudi King in which he banned Atheist thought (along with terrorism), some Saudis on the internet launched a campaign to tear the Qur'an apart.  The first picture was by a Saudi woman.   There is now a special hashtaq for the campaign.  (the woman calls herself a princess).

Against misuse of the Pictures of Jordanian King PlayStation

The Jordanian government issued a decree on the appropriate use of the pictures of King PlayStation of Jordan.

This is Zionism: Israeli interrogator threatened to rape a child

"An Israeli interrogator allegedly forced a Palestinian child to sign a confession after threatening him with sexual violence, according to a signed affidavit collected by Defence for Children International - Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine)."

Israelis use journalists as human shield in direct violation of international law

"A Palestinian journalist has reported that he and two of his colleagues were used by the Israeli military as 'human shields' during an Israeli military invasion of the Aida refugee camp, near Bethlehem. The term 'human shield' is used to refer to instances where armies or armed forces attempt to protect themselves by placing civilians between themselves and the people or group they are attacking. This practice is a direct violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory. Israel has, on multiple occasions in the past, been found to have used Palestinians (including children) as human shields, including tying them on the hoods of their vehicles."