On Tuesday, an unmanned US Predator drone fired missiles into a funeral procession in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan, killing as many as 80 people and maiming dozens more. It was the deadliest US attack within Pakistan to dateUS Drone Strike Kills 80 Pakistanis
By Tom Eley... more
Jun 24, 2009 22:46
UN's Gaza war crimes probe to screen hearings live
The United Nations team which is investigating alleged war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead, last January, announced on Wednesday that it would broadcast the hearings it plans to hold with Palestinian and Israeli victims live.
The team, led by veteran war crimes investigator Richard Goldstone, will hold the hearings in Gaza City on Sunday and Monday, UN officials said.
Spokeswoman Doune Porter said that the hearings would be broadcast and the media would be allowed to view them from a separate room.
She said Wednesday that the team also would hold hearings in Geneva on July 6-7 under the same conditions.Jun 24, 2009 22:46
UN's Gaza war crimes probe to screen hearings live
The... more
Obama offered no change, no plan, only a "tired, morally bankrupt American mantra [which] essentially argues that only the rich, the strong, the oppressors and the enforcers of injustice (notably the Americans and Israelis) have the right to use violence, while the poor, the weak, the oppressed and the victims of oppression must . . . submit to their fate and accept whatever crumbs their betters may magnanimously deign suitable to let fall from their table".Smile On The Face Of The Tiger
By John Pilger
Obama offered no change, no... more
"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names"
~ Chinese Proverb
May 13, 2009 "Lew Rockwell" -- If you are a poor, hapless Afghan civilian whose family's bodies were ripped apart by U.S. bombs, does it really make a difference to you if the air "strikes" were ordered by the Moron from Texas, George W Bush, or the Agent of Change, Barack Obama? I would think not. If you were a Pakistani civilian whose village had been bombed by the U.S. would your heart be comforted by the fact that the mad bombers have a new, young, hip "Commander-in-Chief" who makes funny jokes to all the stenographers known as "The Washington Press Corps"? I sincerely doubt that as well.
Barack Obama sold himself to the country as someone who would bring massive "change" to the policies of the U.S. government, but of course when it comes to the favorite activity of that cancerous organism, warring against wholly innocent civilian populations in foreign countries, there will be no change. In fact, even the pleas of the President of the supposedly free and democratic country of Afghanistan are meaningless in the face of the U.S. government's desire to enforce its will on as much of the Earth as possible. I wonder if Americans would feel like they lived in a "free democracy" if the U.S. was occupied by a foreign military power that regularly killed our people and refused to stop? A power that calls refraining from murder as fighting with "one hand tied behind our back" as White House "National Security" Advisor James Jones recently did? I am pretty sure they emphatically would NOT.
This morning's news brings more information to us of "Barry's" latest slaughter, with at least 8 people in Pakistan dead, none of whom ever hurt a single innocent American. If they had hurt any U.S. soldiers in the region, that, of course, is wholly a result of the imperialists in Washington invading the region in the first place. To kill someone for defending themselves against aggression is the definition of tyrannical is it not? Or is the U.S. Government so holy, so infallible and morally upright that any who defy it are to be disposed of, like so much human garbage? Is a country that claims to be Christian really ready to accept the blasphemous idea that the U.S. Government is above any laws, even those of the God that the majority of Americans claim to believe in?
The Chinese proverb that opens this piece is true in all times and places, so let's call Mr. Obama by his real names: Wall Street Stooge, Zionist lickspittle, National Socialist, liar and above all, mass murderBarack Obama – Mass Murderer
By Dan Spielberg
"The beginning of wisdom is... more
[Editor's note: Ambassador Henry Morgenthau had been the President of the liberal Free Synagogue of New York for over a decade when he split with Rabbi Stephen Wise in 1919 over the issue of Zionism. This is an excerpt from an article he published in the journal World's Work in 1921, as quoted in the New York Times (italics added). Morgenthau was also an officer of the B'nai B'rith Jewish Masonic Lodge, which helps explain his viewpoint and choice of terminology.]
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A Stupendous Fallacy
Zionism is the most stupendous fallacy in Jewish history. I assert that it is wrong in principle and impossible of realization; that it is unsound in its economics, fantastical in its politics, and sterile in its spiritual ideals. Where it is not pathetically visionary, it is a cruel playing with the hopes of a people blindly seeking their way out of age-long miseries. These are bold and sweeping assertions, but I shall undertake to make them good.
The very fervor of my feeling for the oppressed of every race and every land, especially for the Jews, those of my own blood and faith, to whom I am bound by every tender tie, impels me to fight with all the greater force against this scheme, which my intelligence tells me can only lead them deeper into the mire of the past, while it professes to be leading them to the heights.
Zionism is a surrender, not a solution. It is a retrogression into the blackest error, and not progress toward the light. I will go further and say that it is a betrayal; it is an Eastern European proposal, fathered in this country by American Jews, which, if it were to succeed, would cost the Jews of America most [of all] that they have gained of liberty, equality and fraternity...[Editor's note: Ambassador Henry Morgenthau had been the President of the liberal Free... more
The first time I traveled to Europe, I fretted about how tipping worked (of course I didn't bother to consult a guidebook or do any research first). And I'm always surprised at how much people worry about tipping practices, especially when they travel abroad. In a way, it's amusing since Americans are generally considered to be the most generous tippers in the world (and of Americans, New Yorkers are generally considered to be the most generous).
The first (and most important) piece of advice that I can give anyone about tipping is that you absolutely have to do your homework. So many people just set off on a trip without learning anything about the place. Why would you not want to know what people expect in terms of tipping? Just remember to do your homework and it will all become less stressful.
Five Simple Rules to Help You Be a Better Tipper
1. The magic number is 15. One simple number that will get you far almost anywhere in the world: 15, as in 15%. In almost any situation, if there's no service charge, a tip of 15% will work. It might also be considered exceedingly generous, so check on the norm in your destination. True, in major cities in the U.S. that number is edging up, so 18% is considered the baseline in New York for a reasonable tip, but almost anywhere in the world you won't be spat upon or called dirty words if you tip simply 15% (assuming there's no service charge).
2. The other magic number is 1. That's $1, or rather the equivalent to $1 in the country where you are traveling. This is the amount you give when someone does something for you. So if you are in India, 50 rupees will work for a bellman; in Europe, 1 euro will work; in Britain, it's a pound (remember that everything in Britain costs 1.5 times as much as in the U.S.); in Thailand, it's 50 baht; in Egypt, it's about 5 Egyptian pounds Round up where necessary and where it helps you find a suitable coin or bill for the task.5 No-Nonsense Traveler's Tips for Tipping
By Doug Stallings
Fodor's Editor... more
the Spanish National Court’s decision to continue investigating suspected Israeli war criminals is welcomed
The victims and their legal team have placed their trust in the criminal justice system, believing that this is the only mechanism whereby accountability can be pursued and Israel’s impunity combated. Judge Fernando Andreu’s judgment indicates that, even in the face of considerable political pressure – including statements made by the Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos – this trust in the rule of law is justified. This decision confirms the credibility and independence of the Spanish Courts.
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On 22 July 2002, at approximately 11:55 pm, an Israeli Air Force F16 fighter jet dropped a 985 kilogramme bomb on a three-storey apartment building. The attack was intended to kill Salah Shehade, the suspected leader of the Izzidin al-Qassam Brigade, Hamas’ military wing. The apartment building was located within the densely populated Al Daraj district, a residential neighbourhood in Gaza City. At the time of the attack, Shehade was on the upper floor of the building. As a result of the blast impact, eight other adjoining and nearby apartment buildings were completely destroyed, nine were partially destroyed, and another 21 sustained considerable damage. Excluding Shehade and his guard, a total of 14 civilians were killed, including eight children. Approximately 150 civilians were injured.
Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) officials have acknowledged that they decided to drop the bomb on Shehadeh’s house knowing his wife was with him, intentionally killing her as well.the Spanish National Court’s decision to continue investigating suspected Israeli... more
Israel ...Did You say You did not committ War crimes in Gaza?
Israel ...Did You say You did not committ War crimes in Gaza?
Israel ...Did You say You did not committ War crimes in Gaza?
Photo courtesy of National Lawyers Guild
Muhammed Shurrab holds photos of his murdered sons
A Vermont attorney who visited the Gaza Strip in February to investigate allegations of Israeli war crimes, including two Middlebury College-connected shooting deaths, rejected Israel’s recent exoneration of its conduct, saying the investigation was “lacking in credibility.”
In February, James Marc Leas of South Burlington traveled to Gaza as part of an eight-member legal delegation from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) to investigate why Israel’s invasion had such a devastating impact on the civilian population.
On November 4, Israel invaded the Palestinian-controlled territory, which it claimed was necessary to halt Hamas rocket attacks on nearby Israeli towns and settlements. During the 22-day offensive, dubbed “Operation Cast Lead,” more than 1400 Palestinians were killed, including at least 288 children. More than 5300 were wounded. Two-thirds of the Palestinian casualties were noncombatants. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, died; another 518 Israelis were wounded.
Among the Palestinian civilians gunned down were two brothers of Amer Shurrab, a 2008 graduate of Middlebury College. Senator Patrick Leahy condemned the killings and called on the Israeli government to investigate.
According to a January 28 statement issued by Sen. Leahy, Shurrab’s father, Muhammed, and two brothers, Kassab, 28, and Ibrahim, 18, were driving home from their family farm on January 16 during a three-hour humanitarian ceasefire. The reprieve was to allow civilians to restock food, water and other provisions.
There was no indication that Shurrab’s family was traveling on a road considered unsafe to civilians. Nevertheless, members of the Israeli Defense Forces opened fire on the family’s vehicle in an unprovoked attack, wounding all three occupants.
Shurrab’s older brother, Kassab, leapt from the car in a panic and was shot 18 times. Shurrab’s father and other brother, Ibrahim, were also injured, but were prevented by Israeli soldiers from accessing medical attention, even though there was a hospital less than a mile away.
“Muhammed tried everything he could to save his son, Ibrahim, who was bleeding to death before his eyes,” Leahy said in his statement. The father called the Palestinian Red Crescent Societ..........Israel ...Did You say You did not committ War crimes in Gaza?
Israel ...Did... more
The "If Americans Knew" web site also publishes and keeps current shocking information on the daily toll in the OPT. Some of its disturbing figures affecting Palestinians from September 29, 2000 (the first day of the Second Intifada) to the present at the hands of Israeli forces are as follows:
-- 934 Palestinian children have been killed in most cases while engaging in normal daily activities like going to school, playing, shopping, or being in their homes. PCHR reports a total of 4284 Palestinian deaths through March 23, 2007.
-- A known total of 31,307 Palestinians have been injured, mostly civilians, and mostly under the same circumstances children were killed. The B'Tselem Israeli Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories reports these numbers are extremely conservative while the internationally respected Palestine Red Crescent Society reports much higher totals that are likely more accurate. In addition, these figures exclude large numbers of Palestinians who die when unable to reach medical care in time because of Israeli checkpoints, road closures, curfews and other restrictions on mobility in the OPT. Also, no accurate records are available on the large number of avoidable Palestinian deaths resulting from deprivation and/or disease following the first time ever imposition of sanctions on an occupied people from early 2006 to the present.
-- The cite reports US financial aid to Israel is $7,023,288 per day, but the true number is far higher including:
- around $3 billion or more annually in direct aid;
- billions more in loans as needed;
- millions annually for immigrant resettlement;
- multi-billions in waved loan repayments;
- billions more in military aid, financial help to develop Israel's defense industry, transfer of state-of-the-art technology and the latest US weapons, and US guarantees for Israel's access to oil;
- $22 billion Israel got over the past 50 years through the sale of its below-market paying bonds that have financed half its development - meaning the colonization of annexed Palestinian land; military aid for its imperial aggressive wars; and still more as needed and requested.
Tiny Israel today (with six million Jews) gets more US financial aid (in all direct and indirect forms) than all other countries in the world combined.
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Palestinians Beware
24 April 2009
Mitri I. Musleh - Israel’s new demand for being recognized as a Jewish state by the Palestinians as a precondition for peace between the two people is ambiguous, confusing and is totally a time wasting mechanism. Israel’s current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advised US senior envoy, George Mitchell, that Palestinians must recognize Israel as a “Jewish State” before peace talks can begin. Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted a senior official in Netanyahu’s office as saying that “Israel expects the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples”.
I am absolutely and totally confused. For all of those years since 1948 where the UN recognized Israel as a Jewish state, the illegal Israeli military occupation of Palestine, the endless number of war casualties on both sides, the creation of the largest contingent number of Palestinian refugees, the ongoing US yearly financial and military aid to Israel, all the international efforts deployed to establish peace between the two nations and all the current Israeli leaders wish for is for Israel to be recognized as a Jewish state by the Palestinians.
What ever happened to Israel’s demand for security? Has the new Israeli government achieved security for its people?The "If Americans Knew" web site also publishes and keeps current shocking information... more
Neil Young's song "Let's impeach the President for lying" should be our chant until the Iraq occupation for oil stops and GW Bush and his puppet master Dick Cheney's butts are out of our United States President's Oval Office. We should learn these lyrics (below) and march the streets like this great and inspiring protest march last summer in Kennebunkport, Maine ...
This fellow Peace Walker was just in front of me during this picture ... he walked across the US to do this. The people I spoke with were so sad.
I spoke with old veterans and people who lost young loved ones .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TL9...
It's the American thing to do! Homework: : )... more
This is ANOTHER ridiculous story about how Bush is pushing more deregulation, ignoring potential hazards to citizens to protect and enhance business interests. He should be out. He should have been out in June, or before. Call Nancy Pelosi (202) 225-4965 and tell her:
IMPEACHMENT DOES MATTER.
IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH....This is ANOTHER ridiculous story about how Bush is pushing more deregulation, ignoring... more
"Interview with Naomi Wolf author of “Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries” given October 4, 2008 on Mind Over Matters, KEXP 90.3 FM Seattle."
Donald Trump thinks impeaching Bush would be "a wonderful thing." If Bill Clinton got impeach then, Bush definitely should be impeach. He also said "the United States has been stupidly managed for the last 8 years." Trump gives Bush an F- on the war.Donald Trump thinks impeaching Bush would be "a wonderful thing." If Bill Clinton got... more
A bipartisan report released today by the House Oversight Committee finds that President Bush made a "legally unprecedented and an inappropriate use of executive privilege"; when the administration withheld Patrick Fitzgerald"s interview with Vice President Cheney on the CIA leak scandal. A separate report also criticizes Bush"s assertion of executive privilege regarding his recent climate change and Clean Air Act decisions:
On CIA leak scandal: "The assertion of executive privilege prevents the Committee from having access to a complete set of records and thus results in the Committee"s inability to assess fully the actions of the Vice President."
On the environment: "The assertion of executive privilege under these circumstances has stymied the Committee"s investigation of the [California] waiver and ozone decisions. For these reasons, the Committee finds that the President"s assertion of executive privilege is wrong and an abuse of the privilege"; A bipartisan report released today by the House Oversight Committee finds that... more
F the bailout F clean coal!
Grandsons of liberty, it's TIME TO ROLL!!!
Who's with me?
*** I figured starting a new alliance of fed up people is probably a great idea. This is a historic time. People are waking up. People aer saying NO. The Sons of Liberty were successful, let's build on that. F the bailout F clean coal!
Grandsons of liberty, it's TIME TO ROLL!!!
Who's with... more
I urge you to open an investigation immediately to determine if the FBI has been violating its own internal guidelines -- before Attorney General Mukasey’s proposed new guidelines are allowed to take effect.
Recent comments by Attorney General Mukasey and FBI officials raise suspicions that the FBI is pushing these new guidelines to legitimize inappropriate fishing expeditions.
Are these new regulations being implemented as part of a cover-up? Have FBI officials been willfully ignoring or mis-interpreting existing guidelines?
I urge you to launch an immediate investigation. The FBI must not implement any new guidelines intended to cover up past wrongdoing or institutionalize abuses of investigative power.
URGE AN IMMEDIATE FBI INVESTIGATION!!
PETITION:
Inspector General Fine,
I... more
Take Action! Stop the Bush Administration from undermining patients' rights to basic health services and information-
With all of the attention given to the election, people may not notice that the Bush Administration has been making a series of proposals that would diminish women's rights and opportunities. We are tracking these final days closely, and we'll alert you to the actions needed to protect women and their families as the Administration winds down. For example, under a new rule proposed by the Administration's Department of Health and Human Services, a patient can be denied any service for any reason at the sole discretion of the provider, without regard for the needs of the patient.
The Small Business Administration is expected to issue a rule soon that would hurt women-owned small businesses competing for federal contracts.
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued letters last week that could make it harder for minorities to be admitted to K-12 schools and colleges and universities. (And more damage to Title IX could be coming.)
The Bush Administration has already threatened to veto an economic recovery package, despite last week's news that women's unemployment is rising twice as fast as men's.
AS ALWAYS, PLEASE PASS IT ON!Take Action! Stop the Bush Administration from undermining patients' rights to basic... more
Congressman Jim McDermott, representing Washington's 7th district, stood up on the House floor to give his official support to efforts to impeach President Bush.
Video and transcript of his remarks appear above. The video was broadcast on C-SPAN on the morning of September 9, 2008.Congressman Jim McDermott, representing Washington's 7th district, stood up on the... more
Check out this line by line rebuttal of her speech from the Obama campaign. The facts have a nasty way of getting in the way. Her speech is full of so many lies its hard to know where to begin.
PASS IT ON.Check out this line by line rebuttal of her speech from the Obama campaign. The facts... more
