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Total number of comments: 3436 (since 2009-07-31 17:35:15)
Anarchist at large, people are more important than property, period
Website: http://notinhisname.blogdrive.com
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- Jewish space plays host to spirited debate over whether Israel is a democracy
Maybe we can ask the Anonymous entourage now involved in cyber dissent against Israel (from around the world) if they think Israel is a democracy -
#OpIsrael V2
- Rahm Emanuel says Netanyahu has repeatedly betrayed US friendship and embarrassed Obama yet again
"...Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago and Obama's former chief of staff, had spoken angrily and bluntly about the way Netanyahu has repeatedly betrayed the friendship of the United States, lecturing Obama in the Oval Office and now, after the U.S. had underwritten the Iron Dome anti-missile system, supported the operation in Gaza, and voted Israel's way in the U.N., embarrassing the Obama Administration by taking punitive actions against the Palestinian Authority. After describing Emanuel's remarks, Olmert went on to agree with them."
Yes, after his private (RE) tour in the Golan...
- How Israelis imagine their future
Another colonial thief/thug on the way...
- Day Five of Israeli Attack on Gaza: Death toll rises to 72, 520 civilians wounded; 4 children killed in Israeli strike; Tel-Aviv bound rocket shot down again
As I write the number of killed has risen to 95 and the number injured is now well over 800, mostly civilians
So ask yourself, if this man is so despicable when it comes to human lives, what is he going to do regarding the "fiscal cliff" he keeps talking about? Here is the answer, he will throw the people off the cliff, because if you will not even protect the helpless and poor as in the case of the Palestinians, there is not anything that you are incapable of doing to harm the weak and helpless anywhere (either by omission or commission).
Next Israel will be claiming ICBM's...
- Israel vs. #2 pencils: Israel refuses to allow SAT tests to enter the West Bank
The long history of Israelis denying Palestinians the right of education, in one form or another -
- Gregory Harms on the earthly interests of power
Perhaps this article will serve as a bit of a wake up call, maybe not. It is amazing to me that there is this persistent insistence on Israel being the sole motivator for the attack and invasion of Iraq. This chanting of - "yeah, what did the US get?" It speaks volumes of not understanding the global aspect of these issues, and not being able to ascertain what role the US has played in this activity.
None of the allies which the US has joined with are having arguments like this, that is because they understand the the US has merely opened the door for the systemic global community - those who dominate, or are known as part of the dominant circle. Without the invasion there would have been no handing out of these contracts to these foreign "alliances." Mr. Harms is right when he says it is merely the people who are poorer from these invasions - it was launched on their credit card, so to speak. Those in power have never had any trouble spending the peoples money so a privileged few can profit - see history.
Perhaps we will dispense with the centrality of Israel in the middle of everything here view, and understand that there are much stronger currents - but not to dismiss Israel on the global playground. In fact Israel is like any other country clamoring for the attention of the only global superpower (so to speak). However, the US has never been a sole global superpower, but works for the interest of the entire global community to keep its place of preeminence. Think about it, before you respond.
- Ten reasons why AIPAC is so dangerous
I have one simple question - what are you going to do, even if you totally break AIPAC, and you find out that US hegemony marches on in the Middle East? What is going to be your reaction when this happens? I ask this because I don't think that the majority here really understands the nature and function of your own system. What are you going to do when the nightmare continues?
- Video: Protesters are attacked at an 'Israel Alliance' event at U of New Mexico
I have used this illustration before (link below)), and I think if we are talking about the Palestinians, and what has been done to them (their immediate families, relatives, friends) by the brutal and relentless occupation (think Operation Cast Lead and other brutal and murderous activity) one wonders why we should not expect the same reaction (as in the film)? Remember, the people who have committed these atrocities against the Palestinians do not walk among us like other war criminals might in the past (in secret, hiding themselves because they might be recognized, arrested and prosecuted) - but they are invited as speakers, given places of prominence, and are lauded and supported by our government officials and unfortunately supported by some of our relatives. Think about that as you watch this dramatization, how hardened have we become? -
Hope this does not stretch you rules of posting
So what causes Israel supporters to think they can put their hands on any vocal opposition? It is impunity, and the bold faced support by institutions and the US apparatus and officials. After all, the Israel project is a sanctioned and financially supported colonial activity, not much different than kingdoms of old that sent out the crusaders or sanctioned colonial activity by the gentry for their profitability. It is no different than Columbus who received his marching "exploration" orders from the crown, etc.
So, with such support Israel supporters think they can do what they please with anyone who dissents. They constantly seek ways to legitimize apartheid with "respected" educational institutions, that have been thrown to the wind of private money to raise so they can continue their charter - and they want to keep the money flowing from a government which OK's Israeli atrocity. Whitewashing War Crimes, Latuff has it right -
- UC Irvine 11 protester is disinvited from 'TED'-linked speaker series
Here ya go Oscar -
- After 55 days of hunger strike MSM finally reports on Khader Adnan
Oh! cold March winds your cruel laments
Are hard on prisoners' hearts,
For you bring my mother's pleading cries
From whom I have to part.
I hear her weeping lonely sobs
Her sorrows sweep me by,
And in the dark of prison cell
A tear has warmed my eye.
Oh! whistling winds why do you weep
When roaming free you are,
Oh! is it that your poor heart's broke
And scattered off afar?
Or is it that you bear the cries
Of people born unfree,
Who like your way have no control
Or sovereign destiny?
Oh! lonely winds that walk the night
To haunt the sinner's soul,
Pray pity me a wretched lad
Who never will grow old.
Pray pity those who lie in pain
The bondsman and the slave,
And whisper sweet the breath of God
Upon my humble grave.
Oh! cold March winds that pierce the dark
You cry in aged tones
For souls of folk you've brought to God
But still you bear the moans.
Oh! weeping wind this lonely night
My mother's heart is sore
Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom's breath
That she may weep no more. "
Bobby Sands - Prison Poems
When the world turns its eyes toward these atrocities, it will be dealt with in a much more severe manner than what was done to halt the oppression in Ireland.
- Military trial for 17-year-old girl, charged with... Spilling Water on Soldier
That is a good one RoHa, I look at it a little differently. Sort of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, when she "liquidated" (the wizards term) the wicked witch -
If it were only that easy, inadvertently of course ...
- Bombshell: Israeli intelligence posed as CIA to recruit terror group for covert war on Iran
Keith, you do not have to get into a long drawn out futile verbal battle with Mr. Blankfort and others. There are just some issues that some people do not want to believe in regard to their "precious" country, when even the slightest bit of common sense shows that the US always uses scapegoats to get its war on - there are literally miles of files in regard to the practice. I swear, some of these actors in the bowels of the empire should win an Oscar. All you have to post is one link, and leave it at that -
The cause of war is always the other guys fault (other nations fault), and countries stand in line to be smeared and rewarded richly for their service, including Israel for the imperial beast.
- Israeli Supreme Court upholds discriminatory citizenship law: 'Human rights shouldn't be a recipe for national suicide'
Lets be a little more subtle about this, when we are talking about practices of the States judicial system(s). One need not put in writing specifics regarding any ethnicity or race, and still systemically disenfranchise internal populations. Now, anyone who disagrees with this I would be more than happy to elaborate and produce any needed proof, even in the "bastion of hope" called the USA. However, this does not excuse Israel's actions by its chief judicial body, which goes to prove that the sickness is in the head and hence in the rest of the body (there is not one institution which is not skewed with this prejudice). At the same time I would be wary about excusing other States from similar practices minus the "official" pronouncement of the judicial body (or any official part). I hope that is clear, and if not, like I said earlier, I can factually elaborate - and this is by no means hasbara. There is what I would call equal culpability by the indiscriminate supporters of Israel (both official States and individuals).
All countries supreme courts are the guardians of the prevailing national myths, or the moneyed status quo - it is no different with Israel, no matter how repugnant. This is why I always laugh when someone tells me "oh, the supreme court said this, it said that - the supreme court would never allow this or that," it is all so much bullshit (including the "checks and balances" droll). Yet, like lemmings, everyone embraces the "State," like it is the infallible expression in whatever part of its defunct institutions. Carry on...
- Is Paul a precursor of a more presentable candidate in 2016?
Perhaps the best treatment of what "libertarian" means in the USA was voiced (many times, not just this linked audio below) by Noam Chomsky, who I am persuaded to agree with in regard to his judgement call (factual and informed, both contemporary and historical elements).
In regard to what has grown up here in the USA, try the same choice - Chomsky, who tells us that America is not historically or presently a functional democracy. Historically Chomsky is correct, his remedy which I call the"seesaw standby" argument, that the best you are going to get is a give and take fight I strongly disagree with. This might be due to the fact that I have strong revolutionary views, and do not think that that any amount of "reform" will accomplish anything substantive (the position due to the very historical arguments that Chomsky voices), and this can be seen by the cyclical divestment of the people - over and over again ad nauseum (or should I say with increasing severity). Apparently everyone is waiting for everything to completely hit a brick wall so that their chances of accomplishing anything are almost nil, which I see as delusional -
Well, I would not necessarily call some of his position "baggage" Midwesterner (I will provide a link), but it causes concern among many - some of the things Paul is against I am also against, but there are other issues which would do nothing but take the poor and needy (which are growing exponentially as we speak) and further divest them of any support mechanisms (as an example, listen carefully to the link) -
There are some further things that some would consider "baggage," so this link certainly is not exhaustive.
I find it interesting that people think they can split domestic issues from foreign policy, as if the two are not hand in glove. But what else is to be expected with the propagandist corporate media function today, which is a mass of lies and selective silence? Yet you deal with the marriage of foreign and domestic every day, don't you Mr. Weiss - in the sense of the interest of the Lobby, and there are broader economic interests which are not dealt with too much here?
It is also interesting that we have this base of Paul supporters who can be described as "young" that seem to have very little understanding in regard to US historical moorings, it is like they have the same reverent and fact void faith of what the USA is supposed to be as the far right "patriotic" crowd, they have bought the proverbial Brooklyn Bridge from the academic institutions. It is amazing listening to them talk about some fantasy market that does not exist (and never did), or pine for a past which never was. I suppose Paul might serve the same function among Republicans that Dennis Kucinich does with the democrats, since he cannot win he just brings the disillusioned mass of followers into the fold of the status quo in the end.
- Cooking magazines dish on new trend: labeling Arabic food Israeli!
There are two things this deception relies upon, the absolute ignorance of Arabic culture - the Israelis feel so confident about the ignorance of the general public they can call all of this cuisine they're own (through the purposeful absence of any teaching regarding the culture, and vilification of the people for other purposes). Second, theft of indigenous ways and know how has been going on for thousands of years, but is not known to many (a highly honed practice that has been buried for many years until it is presumed to be the property of the thieves, people and nation(s) ) - in the sense of settler colonial state activity as well as common practice among many empires. You can see this in what is commonly called Renaissance literature, scientific discovery of the "enlightenment" period, much is merely the theft of conquered and subjugated people or even unknown people, who are summarily pronounced "barbarians."
The Israelis fancy themselves the heirs of such a defunct tradition of manufactured greatness and renown - which is nothing but plain theft. What is so repugnant about these particular instances is that they try to copy these forms of thievery in the 21st century - where some of us can blow the whistle, and the only slur that can be thrown at us is that we are either self-hating or antisemitic.
- Spouse of 'NYT' correspondent calls on Israeli gov't to wage 'war' on int'l threat to its image
Similar to having a conversation with a Zionist about Israel -
- More responses to Ron Paul's surge
I should probably post here what I said on another site in regard to Ron Paul - you can read the rest of the conversations:
"I wonder how many who champion the Constitution really understand the nature of the document, or the peoples initial first gut reaction to it? The Constitution is an elite document meant to preserve the "rights and function" of a moneyed elite. That is the reason why it was rejected by the people, and that is why the addendum of the Bill Of Rights was rejected out of hand by the authors of the Constitution when it was submitted by the States. For that matter representation is a farce which was a compromise which masquerades as a panacea for the ignorant people who accept its terms. So, essentially, all Ron Paul is doing is opening the floodgates to private tyrannies with his Constitutional blather."
- AIPAC-championed amendment pushes Obama into a corner on Iran
For the most part I can tell that many people here still believe the rhetoric in regard to the "poor Obama" repetition, which means many have learned absolutely nothing. Few understand that those in power do not serve them, and that they will gladly gut you and do as they please - because you show them they can do it by the tenor of the conversations. Continuously hoping you will be represented to some degree of satisfaction in this farce, it is really getting old. What are you going to do when Obama wears the "war president" badge with honor like his predecessor? I think a quoted verse from the last post on my site amply shows the condition of slavish thought processes displayed here for the most part -
"We justify our cowardice to the forces that oppress us with a discourse of moralizing humanism. The rejection of revolutionary violence is anchored in the spirit of those who oppose the system while defending the values it teaches."
To not even understand what is thought of you by those you systemically bow too in this current nightmare just seems to be par for the course, why don't you look at the public bills that address you (not just have a cursory article) that are going to be sitting on the "poor embattled" presidents desk which he intends to sign, what a joke -
- 'Economist:' analysis of Iraq war that leaves out neocons' Jewishness is 'deficient'
One could point out the same issues in the current act of war the USA is committing against Iran, in regard to its oil transport in the Strait of Hormuz and financial transactions from its central bank (where is our fungible boy...lol) . Of course, it has caused oil to jump 2% in price so far, and this should not be brushed off as a mitigating factor -
Is anyone going to address this current issue, it is like watching a movie re-run of the precursor to the massacre in Iraq. Same players, same playbook.
- Three years since Cast Lead
With the recent banning of certain art, that of children or anything coming from the Palestinians, we hear this outcry of "political," and baseless accusations about the art being done by adults, etc. One does not need to wonder why a message in art of this sort comes from the Palestinians, because it is the truth in pictorial form, what needs to cease is the continuous activity of the murderous colonial settler state of Israel - than all grasping for "political" accusations by the guilty dominant would not be necessary.
- Been there, done that? Israel's fresh concerns about Iraq
Wait, I have an idea - since Israel refuses to declare its borders they could encompass Iraq, then they can take care of the "problem" on the Eastern Front themselves...
- US and Israel march in lockstep towards expansion of military detention
All one has to do is examine the "justice system" and read the broadening definition of terrorism. On the heals of indefinite detention is the SOPA bill, under the guise of protecting corporations from so-called Internet piracy.
it is no mistake with the record divestment of the people and trillions of dollars of bailout for the elite financial services, and the consequent rise of the Occupy movement along with the global uprisings that we see these bills rushed through the houses to the presidents desk to be signed. In other words, there is more "austerity" coming which will continue to rob the 99% for the 1% sake - they have no intention of stopping the process. So they want to scare and even imprison the dissenting indefinitely, and they want to cut off the means of communication via the Internet and turn back the clock to the corporate propaganda machine.
- David Remnick erases Norman Finkelstein
That s because Apartheid SA got a good deal droog, all they has to do is renounce the Apartheid in the public political arena, while the same wealth is in the same hands to this day (with no prosecutions, only "reconciliation"). Perhaps some day Israel will get a similar deal, lets hope the Palestinians do not languish in economic Apartheid like the South Africans - I dread this happening eventually in the region, the same almost fruitless compromise. Hopefully the champions of the Palestinians will not repeat history while the Israelis laugh all the way to the bank.
What has "essentially" (to a vital degree, elementally) changed, in Israel or its ardent supporter the USA? The pace is glacial and the problem is acute, it is never going to be addressed until the economic foundation beneath this settler colonial state is destroyed - but it will never cease until people are willing to address the entire issue.
For quite some time now the community has been trying to banish Mr. Finkelstein from the equation, some like Mr. Remnick try to do it by minimization. Others who cannot stand the mounted barrage of facts Mr. Finkelstein marshals try to dismiss him with vilification, lies and innuendo, saying they don't like his "spirit" or his manner of delivery is too harsh, etc. - very familiar to the current group of "intellectuals" bag of tricks.
I keep wondering why Mr. Finkelstein even bothers to dignify those he opposes by treating them to a logical appeal, because we know they are not capable of handing adult arguments. He knows full well that there is nothing redeemable within the systemic arena, yet he keeps appealing to it as a voice of dissent, as if it has any real legitimacy. This is what I would call for lack of a better term almost futile (I apologize to those who think some headway has been made on this subject, I disagree), and he should join those of us which wish to dismantle this entire fiasco. Once you have seen that the emperor has no clothes, it is impossible to go back and appeal thinking an essential difference will be made. I say this with the highest respect to Mr. Finklestein, who is one of the few that is addressing these issues with great distinction, and knows that what I am saying is the bottom line truth.
- Likud's perfect candidate: Newt Gingrich (UPDATED)
If you look carefully at that "contract" you will see everything that has brought us to the present day economic disaster. It was the tip of the spear during the Regan era that opened the doors to totally unregulated pillage of the American people by what is now called the 1%. It had all the seeds of the current destruction, the contract), so if he would sell America out then it is just a matter of where he tips his hat at any given time. Frankly, the whole system is a joke, but I elaborate like this because some still think there is juice left for them.
Gee, Newt screwed Americans with his "contract with America (according to my studies)," what makes anyone think he will not go for seconds? There must be something in the drinking water.
- About that blue box
They make good tissue boxes
- Israeli forces tear gas and arrest girls during home demolition in South Hebron Hills
They took the two women because they wanted to "liberate" them, don't you know that this is what Israel does for Palestinian women (sarcasm)? They liberate them with false trials and imprisonment.
One thing you always go away with here Seham, generally speaking, is a view of what is systemically taking place - look at all of the active oppression in all of these areas. Imperialism and its minions at work everywhere, that is why we will need all of the people to undo these tragedies. Thank you for that confirmation again with your hard work.
- Cornel West & Rosemary Ruether launch petition to stop Marc Ellis's dismissal from Baylor University
The persistence of these processes in schools shows that my initial thoughts about these activities, while writing about Norman Finkelstein a few years back were correct (did you notice it does not matter which administration is in power?). It is an assault on academic freedom and a crushing of dissent within an almost fascistic community. When is this going to stop? The answer is that it will never stop as long as it is allowed to continue and to be successful. Why is it so successful? Because we have allowed our institutions to merely be administrative havens where money talks and truth walks (this has been going on a long long time). Petitions are good and to be encouraged, they are just not enough - the entire paradigm has to shift for substantive change.
- Page: 34
- 'It's time to stop the bully': Adbusters editor Kalle Lasn on Occupy Wall Street, the Israel lobby and the New York Times
Apparently eee you have some mild or moderate cognitive dissonance, no one is arguing the makeup of the American people or the representative body (which most Americans have no idea where their elected officials stand on most issues, because they voted for them on the "do you think he would be a good drinking buddy" basis). Humanity has nothing to do with Zionism in the grouping value (maybe you failed the test on set theory in your exams), neither does the American public have much true information in regard to what is transpiring between Israel and the Palestinians - and I do believe the old rule stands that informed decisions are the only ones worth having (if Americans were all told that they should be able to fly from birth many would not reach old age...). When you have these things straightened out or have sought out therapeutic help let me know.
eee the crux of the matter is Zionism, it is not whether one is a Jew or not - there has never been a decision taken by neocons that has been detrimental to Israel - in fact for the short run it has always been beneficial , one may be a conservative or a communist and these have a universal application, not so with Zionism. However being a Jew does not predispose one to instant Zionism at any cost, so one may be a Zionist and not a Jew or one may be a Jew and a Zionist. Look at the track record of neocons, find their writings and their works, and you will find all neocons are Zionist whether they are a Jews or not. The culprit is Zionism not being Jewish, nice try attempting to pinpoint Jews and not Zionism so that the antisemitism charge can stick eee - no dice though.
- Streisand to sing at Israeli soldier benefit in LA
I am afraid you will have to take it by faith john h, because...
Of course this is nothing new for Ms. Streisand, she did it back in 78' in The Stars Salute Israel for its 30th. After all, if you have been media lionized (not that she does not have talent, just lots of opportunities, if you know what I mean), what else are you going to do when you are called upon to do so? There is nothing like the "star wash" for Israel -
We could elaborate more, but I think the point is clear.
- Migron settlement ordered removed by 3/12. Will it happen?
"Jewish history in our land spans thousands of years."
The fairy tale narrative is old, so is the Christian one, and the Muslim (because the theos based seems to be unusually long lasting and repugnant) - and all of the other imagined deities they are based on (if you want to talk history of mythology). That any would persist and be the basis of daily atrocities is unacceptable in the 21st century, of course there is more to their longevity than belief - particular gain through theft (the fastest way to gain ascendance) and the elite use of these fairy tales among the ignorant population.
Added to the above title should be FALLACIOUS HISTORY. It is a cursory treatment, but worth the read. I find it ludicrous that someone would persist in these fairy tales that even our scholars have exposed. Before you try to take on what I say max, I suggest you think twice, you do not even know who you are conversing with - but the ignorant barge through where the studied fear to tread.
You cannot immerse yourself in the particulars of these issues while ignoring the root cause of the current debacle. You can talk all day long about each specific atrocity and wax eloquent about the racist proclivity of the Israelis or Israeli settlers, but the fact of the matter is that these people think they are ushering in an Eretz Yisrael based on ancient fairy tales regarding the region. The racism is taught in the text, the theft is seen as redemption, and they glory in the perceived fact that they fulfill the will of some deity no matter how morally repugnant to the common course of humanity. It is time to face up to the fact that we are facing horrible activity proceeding from a flawed foundation, a sort of turning the clock back where the land in central because of the supposed promise of some deity - and the longer you ignore and deny it the worse it will become, until genocide proper is reveled in by the perpetrators. You cannot reform the activity or adjust it, because it is inherently rotten.
- Thousands rally in Tahrir Square as protests continue against military government
I too have great respect for the Egyptian people, however asking one leader after another to step down is not going to change much. In short, the whole system must be uprooted and the current government must be disbanded. In other words, revolution in the true sense of the word. Anyone who thinks this is a non-violent activity, what is taking place in Egypt today is not aware of the facts, since the Maspero massacre there have been uncountable counter-revolutionary assaults on the Egyptian people - and they must be answered for. Look carefully at a post by Max Ajl, another letter from the front -
- Five Republican congressmen take Christian Zionist solidarity tour of settlements
They should advertise it like this - "Did you miss all of the atrocities of early Manifest Destiny? Now, you too can see the wonders of ethnic cleansing - come with us on night raids on the indigenous, watch us off children at play, and marvel at the bargain basement prices of stolen land. Be amazed at the prison complex we have built for the savages. We are in the process of making the desert bloom. G-d would be proud, see modern prophecies come to life!"
They should call this the dumb shits tour, or, colonialism for Jesus...
- Jewish Feds General Assembly seems paranoid about 'who is on our side' inside Jewish community
The fact of the matter is that Israel does not have the right to exist acting out its current course with impunity. It cannot continue to do what it likes to Palestinians or their property, it cannot act as a violent belligerent in the neighborhood (Lebanon, Syria, etc.), and say that it "has a right to exist" on this current course. That is the bottom line, no matter what the religious proclivities happen to be - or how much you try to shove the ME into immigration to the so-called "promised land" like some modern day manifest destiny for the chosen ones, which is nothing but a murderous settler state colonial apparatus with all the attended racism and vainly justified atrocities - there no right to exist in this form and there never will be (there or elsewhere).
- 'Adbusters' seeks right of reply to 'NYT''s smear of anti-Semitism and fails to get it
Looks like my idea for NYT toilet paper rolls is getting closer and closer to having enough demand...lol
- 'You lost' -- reporters at State say UNESCO vote isolates U.S. from world opinion (and possibly from intellectual property enforcement)
In regard to WIPO, I am sure many are aware of how Israel tries to "preserve" Palestinian intellectual property (sarcasm; was posted here before), they might have to give the stolen property back and it might become available to the world at large -
The Israelis are afraid that WIPO will undo their hatchet job which they feel has put the perceptions regarding the Palestinians as being from the caveman era, and may reveal there is a body of literature which shows an advanced civilization. This might also undo the "war on terror" which paints all from the region as savages.
- (Un)Occupy Albuquerque makes free speech and public access TV the issue
They used the excuse of going "digital" as the first wave of assault to shut broadcasts down, now they are doing it directly. Pirate radio and mobile TV jam broadcasts should be used in all of these arenas.
- Tahrir tells Oakland-- 'Don't afraid, go ahead'
Just to accentuate that last sign, which has on it F*** Police, you might ask yourself the question - why would I have that sentiment? It is basically the brain washing job we get about who the police are, who they "protect and serve," and where do they come from - origins? It might be quite a shock to some individuals but that is not the identity and true mission of the police, and that can clearly be seen by what they do.
You are fed a line on popular media, I don't think any group gets more of a face lift (a BS job) than the police department, there are shows on almost every hour of the day to make them look kind and squeaky clean. You are constantly bombarded by "crime," single act crime - oh, how much crime there is (and nothing about the structural condition that causes 99% of the activity) , while getting virtually nothing about killing machines that murder people by the millions abroad, and structural violence perpetrated by the system which destroys law abiding citizens with a sense of fairness and justice. All and all someone has to lift the curtain on this deception. When you understand these issues, this is the first step that strengthens peoples resistance and brings them to direct action to fight against this system. You better think about this, because sooner or later (probably sooner) you are going to see this clash, and you better ask yourselves "who's side am I on?" with the proper knowledge -
I know you previously posted this, but I thought it should be repeated.
Just in case it was missed, Max Ajl has a full letter on his site which not only reflects a sentiment but reality in a solidarity statement with OWS from Cairo. It is probably good to see it in full here, because it reflects what really happened and needed to be done when police atrocities began too occur, read it carefully (especially about capitalism and what "direct" actions the people had to take to defend their ground) and ask who's view is reflected here -
"To all those in the United States currently occupying parks, squares and other spaces, your comrades in Cairo are watching you in solidarity. Having received so much advice from you about transitioning to democracy, we thought it's our turn to pass on some advice.
Indeed, we are now in many ways involved in the same struggle. What most pundits call "The Arab Spring" has its roots in the demonstrations, riots, strikes and occupations taking place all around the world, its foundations lie in years long struggles by people and popular movements. The moment that we find ourselves in is nothing new, as we in Egypt and others have been fighting against systems of repression, disenfranchisement and the unchecked ravages of global capitalism (yes, we said it, capitalism): a System that has made a world that is dangerous and cruel to its inhabitants. As the interests of government increasingly cater to the interests and comforts of private, transnational capital, our cities and homes have become progressively more abstract and violent places, subject to the casual ravages of the next economic development or urban renewal scheme.
An entire generation across the globe has grown up realizing, rationally and emotionally, that we have no future in the current order of things. Living under structural adjustment policies and the supposed expertise of international organizations like the World Bank and IMF, we watched as our resources, industries and public services were sold off and dismantled as the "free market" pushed an addiction to foreign goods, to foreign food even. The profits and benefits of those freed markets went elsewhere, while Egypt and other countries in the South found their immiseration reinforced by a massive increase in police repression and torture.
The current crisis in America and Western Europe has begun to bring this reality home to you as well: that as things stand we will all work ourselves raw, our backs broken by personal debt and public austerity. Not content with carving out the remnants of the public sphere and the welfare state, capitalism and the austerity state now even attack the private realm and people's right to decent dwelling as thousands of foreclosed-upon homeowners find themselves both homeless and indebted to the banks who have forced them on to the streets.
So we stand with you not just in your attempts to bring down the old but to experiment with the new. We are not protesting. Who is there to protest to? What could we ask them for that they could grant? We are occupying. We are reclaiming those same spaces of public practice that have been commodified, privatized and locked into the hands of faceless bureaucracy , real estate portfolios, and police 'protection'. Hold on to these spaces, nurture them, and let the boundaries of your occupations grow. After all, who built these parks, these plazas, these buildings? Whose labor made them real and livable? Why should it seem so natural that they should be withheld from us, policed and disciplined? Reclaiming these spaces and managing them justly and collectively is proof enough of our legitimacy.
In our own occupations of Tahrir, we encountered people entering the Square every day in tears because it was the first time they had walked through those streets and spaces without being harassed by police; it is not just the ideas that are important, these spaces are fundamental to the possibility of a new world. These are public spaces. Spaces for gathering, leisure, meeting, and interacting – these spaces should be the reason we live in cities. Where the state and the interests of owners have made them inaccessible, exclusive or dangerous, it is up to us to make sure that they are safe, inclusive and just. We have and must continue to open them to anyone that wants to build a better world, particularly for the marginalized, excluded and for those groups who have suffered the worst.
What you do in these spaces is neither as grandiose and abstract nor as quotidian as "real democracy"; the nascent forms of praxis and social engagement being made in the occupations avoid the empty ideals and stale parliamentarianism that the term democracy has come to represent. And so the occupations must continue, because there is no one left to ask for reform. They must continue because we are creating what we can no longer wait for.
But the ideologies of property and propriety will manifest themselves again. Whether through the overt opposition of property owners or municipalities to your encampments or the more subtle attempts to control space through traffic regulations, anti-camping laws or health and safety rules. There is a direct conflict between what we seek to make of our cities and our spaces and what the law and the systems of policing standing behind it would have us do.
We faced such direct and indirect violence , and continue to face it . Those who said that the Egyptian revolution was peaceful did not see the horrors that police visited upon us, nor did they see the resistance and even force that revolutionaries used against the police to defend their tentative occupations and spaces: by the government's own admission; 99 police stations were put to the torch, thousands of police cars were destroyed, and all of the ruling party's offices around Egypt were burned down. Barricades were erected, officers were beaten back and pelted with rocks even as they fired tear gas and live ammunition on us. But at the end of the day on the 28th of January they retreated, and we had won our cities.
It is not our desire to participate in violence, but it is even less our desire to lose.
If we do not resist, actively, when they come to take what we have won back, then we will surely lose. Do not confuse the tactics that we used when we shouted "peaceful" with fetishizing nonviolence; if the state had given up immediately we would have been overjoyed, but as they sought to abuse us, beat us, kill us, we knew that there was no other option than to fight back. Had we laid down and allowed ourselves to be arrested, tortured, and martyred to "make a point", we would be no less bloodied, beaten and dead. Be prepared to defend these things you have occupied, that you are building, because, after everything else has been taken from us, these reclaimed spaces are so very precious.
By way of concluding then, our only real advice to you is to continue, keep going and do not stop. Occupy more, find each other, build larger and larger networks and keep discovering new ways to experiment with social life, consensus, and democracy. Discover new ways to use these spaces, discover new ways to hold on to them and never give them up again. Resist fiercely when you are under attack, but otherwise take pleasure in what you are doing, let it be easy, fun even. We are all watching one another now, and from Cairo we want to say that we are in solidarity with you, and we love you all for what you are doing.
Comrades from Cairo.
24th of October, 2011."
- Comrades in Cairo send solidarity, and advice, to Occupy Wall Street
Gee, I wonder how anything was accomplished with all of those "agent provocateurs" in the streets of Egypt (satire)? Just chiding those who kept waving this well worn out flag (about such agents) in front of me every time I post. Take a look at reality
- Those crazy Syrians
Soon Syria will enter those ranks of "liberated" countries, you know, the type that will lose all of their benefits - health, education, etc. in order to be "free," like Libya (will soon have). Than they will hunt the educators, doctors, journalists, that had anything to do with the previous regime like target practice. What? You did not know that this is what is transpiring, and what Syria is being prepared for?
"The war against Syria, planned by the United States, France and the United Kingdom for mid-November 2011, has been blocked in extremis by the Russian and Chinese vetoes at the Security Council. According to Nicolas Sarkozy, who informed the Maronite Patriarch of the matter during a stormy meeting at the Elysée Palace on 5 September 2011, the plan contemplates the expulsion of Middle East Christians by the Western powers. In this context a press campaign is underway in Europe to accuse the Christians of the Orient of collusion with the dictatorships. Mother Agnès-Mariam of the Cross, mother superior of the monastery of James the Mutilated in Qara (Syria) responds to this war propaganda."
- Rep. Steve Israel's anti-Israel, anti-Semitic record on Occupy Wall Street (which must be news to him)
"However, if conservatives are looking for a Democratic strawmen to use to demonize Occupy Wall Street, it would be hard to pick a worse man for the role than Steve Israel."
They want to push it beyond what is credible, make it incredible - perhaps they want him to set himself on fire wrapped in an Israeli flag.
I have news, when the "wall" on Wall Street fails (named after the wall to keep "those indigenous" out, now representative of all on the outside who are disenfranchised being walled out) and falls, it is going to fall squarely on the apartheid wall in Israel (or should I say built on stolen land?). In fact, I may commission Latuff to draw a collapsing Wall Street wall falling squarely on the Israeli apartheid wall, because both need to fall down. Now commence the self-hating accusations, I will gladly wear a badge of universal embrace rather than tribal atrocities.
- Lionization of Edw Said at Boston Palestine Festival signals new moment of American Palestinian recognition
I think it is difficult, having read most of what Dr. Said has written and done to lionize him - perhaps it seems like lionization, because it is so hard to grasp how a man of this matchless character and talent could do so much in such a short time. I cannot think of someone more deserving of such accolades, and still see them fall short.
Out of all the things Dr. Said has said and done I can only think of two things I disagree with - his evaluation of The aging Jean Paul Sartre, and trying to work within a framework of these institutions in the USA and thinking that anything substantive could happen in this systemic sludge. Outside of that there is nothing, and that is amazing because he crossed so many disciplines and addressed so strongly and eloquently the Palestinian plight. So lionizing him would be quite a feat indeed, look how he takes the erring themes of this insidious empire at the root and reprimands these reprobates -
The myth of the clash of civilizations
How he seemed to fail to see this as a fatal disease endemic to empire I will not speculate on.
- Catch the spirit-- how Wall Street occupiers averted eviction
Apparently Shmuel many do not realize the direction they are heading in, these fellows (global wrecking crew, capitalist cadre, whatever you wish to call them) are playing for keeps - they are not going to stop till we re-enter the ranks of feudalism, I don't think people who think they "have something" realize this fact. We are not talking about a reform issue here, not some slight adjustment, but revolution (or at least i am).
The infacy of the movement is going to be taken over by the reality that there is no intention of substantive change coming around the corner. You might think I am not being realistic and only time will tell, we will wait for the next crash that will make the last one look like a party, then let's see what happens. You are always going to face the prospect of provocateurs, soon it will not matter who is one or not. Why don't you take a tour of my site, look specifically at the dates when the posts were written and compare what I wrote with what eventually happened, or follow the archives here - see how many times I have been wrong in my judgement calls (I am not saying I am infallible, just that I know the nature of the beast).
At the risk of being accused of being repetitive I will post a link I have used a number of times in the past -
Historically there has never been a successful movement that did not have a mix of methodologies, and those being more controversial (at least in today's pathetic atmosphere). How one avoids being infiltrated by provocateurs is by holding close the mix so that you know who is genuine and who is not, not by isolating and ostracizing them - many times the force of the direct action has caused the oppressors to turn to the more so-called "reasonable element" out of fear, it is the job of those called upon not to become the tools of the oppressor and just continue the same exploitative process.
Without the mix, in this instance the so-called black bloc, what do you expect to accomplish? Change by chant, movement by marching, fire by candlelight? The forces you are up against cannot be reasoned or shamed into change, the only language they understand is force - you can tel by how often the asses in power apply it. Just some food for thought, if anyone wishes to do any profitable thinking and get some substantive results.
- Fat lady sings -- Israel announces new E J'lem neighborhod called Givat Hamatos
Alas it never was, it is the latest (rule of law) lie that the elite hide behind, no different than the divine right of kings. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of law for you and I - specifically to oppress and keep the 99% "in line," just none for the few - which the entire corpus was supposed to be about in the first place. However, there is a law that is higher than that written by elites - the will of the people.
You may not like my assessment of the situation, but I am probably posting what is on the minds of a few who can identify this process of Israeli settler state colonialism. I do not think Israel fears a one state solution, because there will essentially be no one state solution or two state solution for that matter.
This brings us to one of two solutions, or perhaps both together. 1). They intend to have a one state solution in the same manner as the South Africans, that is, a minor political sop for the Palestinians with no real economic or viable citizenship (which, whether you like it or not, is what is transpiring today in So Africa); 2) They intend to cleanse all of the Palestinians from the land, genocide them, and claim their Israel fantasy from ye ol' bible (ostensible the most genocidal book known to man); 3). A hybrid of the two previous, claiming to have tried the one state solution they will get rid (however) of the Palestinians.
These are the only options left on the current course.
- 'Commentary' smear of Occupy Wall St. doesn't bother to get basic facts right
You have the old ruse here of making everything having to do with Israel Jewish, hence opposition to a murderous colonial settler state becomes antisemitism. Worse yet is the specter of the wind being knocked out of capitalism's sails which is a primary supporter of all the colonial activity currently taking place in the world, including Israeli colonialism.
In the meantime what is happening is a process of real time education, and the ranks are swiftly learning what the policing forces stand for in America, elite interest - it is nothing new, just new to the some of the Occupy Wall Street crew which is now over 200 plus locations strong and growing. So awareness is growing exponentially of where the foundational juice is coming from for the global atrocities. Those on the wrong side of history have every reason to be scared, because the primary gravy train is going to be derailed -
- 'There's a huge amount of anger'
This is a good article, too bad there will probably not be many posters because they think another boogeyman is the be all and end all of all our problems. If there is no overarching context for what is transpiring globally, even in the ME, than you have no handle by which to substantively address anything - you become one small group among a hundred others. Better to put everything in its proper place and join hands with more people, pulling up one helps the other.
- Fragile Egypt
I think you are barking up the wrong tree Keith, they just want to make believe that everything has to do with Zionism here while they play the Star Spangled Banner. Not everyone here, but when you are physically comfortable and snug in your delusions nothing wakes you up until it is all gone.
This is an example of why I am so specific on what counts as a revolution, and wrote a three part definition on the basis of such. Involved in the three part series I elaborated on the standing army, specifically with Egypt in mind, it is brief and not exhaustive but to the point -
"The military, whether it is propped up by foreign capital or not, whether our loved ones are in its ranks or not, is never designed to listen to nor obey the voice of the people. All military should subordinate itself to the will of the people, and if they refuse they are nothing but the servants of the system which the people wish to do away with. Whether the force of the military is applied either domestically or in foreign war it is not by the will of the people, and it does nothing to protect you but is designed for the will and enrichment of the few. If you say to me that any institution of force, military or police, will not allow the people to do what they want to do - then I say they are controlled by other than the will of the people. If you tell me that the people would like to do thus and so collectively but cannot because of contrary force, than that force is not standing by the will of the people.
The army should be told to stand down to the will of the people, the generals should be dismissed who are propping up anything but the will of the people. They should be told in no uncertain terms that they will join the ranks of the people, and this because they have been isolated and cloistered, educated to follow orders, and they need to determine who's orders they are going to obey. The rank and file should be encouraged to break the ranks and not be involved in the suppression of the people, or they will face the people in full force on what has been turned into a field of battle.
There is no revolutionary thrust which historically never faced the prospect clash with the system of the status quo supporting the few, as opposed to that which is the will of the people. Anyone who told you or implied that this can solely be a peaceful process is either deceived, or they have been infiltrated by the design of the few - because they told you that you can chant and march your way peacefully to liberation, but if this is all you do it will never be substantive change because you will leave the heart of the system intact. This suspicion, which I posted in my last post is correct, it is prescient - "
- Kol Nidre in Cairo. Not
"Because part of being Jewish means not forsaking or wanting to harm one of the largest, if not the largest, Jewish communities in the world."
There used to be a time when being Jewish meant doing Jewish, and doing Jewish never meant committing the atrocities that are common practice in Israel. The greatest harm to Judaism in the world is perpetrated by those who say they are protecting the community by supporting without proper judgement in regard to what is right and what is wrong. When the atrocities do not cease to further protect it by proclaiming Jewish community is even worse (it is antisemitic), it becomes like aiding and abetting thieving homicidal criminals - whether it sports a flag and a state charter or not, I'm sure we can name a number of different criminal acts which other "states" were and are involved in.
eee, you have forsaken the Jewish community by indiscriminate cover up for daily atrocities, never mind forsaking the community because you indiscriminately support whatever it does (by omission and commission) that is just the beginning. It not only speaks of your despising the community, but the rest of mankind - unless you think Israeli activity towards its neighbors and indigenous is something to be emulated in the world at large (I do not need a lecture about others having done the same thing, I think my record for exposing what others have done is clear - unfortunately it is not as clear with others).
- Israel approves new settlement homes, U.S. says that's OK keep talking...
Of course, you must realize that Abbas is the "fat lady," and when you talk about him doing anything substantial for the Palestinian people you should have your tongue in your cheek. The "plan" always gets spoiled in either the source (Abbas, who is the "president" when a clown could do a better job, not to mention that he is the hit man for the powers that be, that is why he is the declared president) or the substance (the plan always undoes the people, every time) - when Israel or the US sees Abbas ringing his bell they know it always tolls for the Palestinian people. I thought everyone was clear on these points, but there must be some sort of cognitive dissonance in the air or something in the drinking water (lets not mention the point about the uselessness of the UN or what it exists for, I have posted enough about that already).
Here is how I know mig -
"Israel approves new settlement homes, U.S. says that's OK keep talking…"
Everyone who expected some settlement via the UN, or some sort of "statehood" package, is being laughed at right now. It is time to wipe the smile off their faces, and it will not be done through UN auspices.
- Well ain't that America: Obama ignores Palestine in UN speech on freedom, and the world watches the US execute an innocent man
and while I am at it -
No state, or government, has the right to execute an individual - they are too corrupt to function in that capacity. Many talk about political prisoners, and a few names get bandied around, but essentially there are millions of political prisoners where the poor and people of color are smashed by the gavel so the present order of this system can continue. People allow their children to be sacrificed on the alter of this states delusions both structurally and literally -
- Israel's remaining friends rally around flag outside of UN
"We're from the same roots, we both hold a lot of the same ideals and beliefs, and their God's chosen people, so we choose to stand with them."
Like lies, colonialism, murder, theft - and the blessing of the convenient deity. They are virtual twins -
"The logic of both Israel and apartheid-era South Africa can be found in their common origins as settler states. In both cases, the settlers CREATED MYTHS, semi-religious or explicitly religious, including that GOD HAD PROVIDED THE LAND for them and that the land was unoccupied upon arrival, a very, very common theme in every settler state, whether it's the United States, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, etc. In both cases, the settlers portrayed themselves to be VICTIMS against natives who were described as SEMI-BARBARIC OR INTOLERANT. Given the permanent state of siege, every settler state AGGRESSION came to be DESCRIBED as a DEFENSIVE ACT, an approach also common with the United States. By way of example, for South Africa, incursions into Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe or anywhere else always against alleged TERRORISTS were justified as alleged defensive actions."
- Deal in works to save Obama casting a veto, and continue 'peace process' --Guardian
They are going to crack jokes and laugh at everyone who thought there was going to be a showdown in the UN
- Chomsky says Perry is 'often in outer space'
Al Franken a while back wrote a book about "The Lying Liars, and the Lies they tell." In it he says a good rule of thumb in regard to candidates is to look at the past performance, particularly governors from their respective states (he showed the "legacy" of Bush). When you look at Perry, what do you see?
So what you can look forward to is accelerated poverty at a higher level. The condition in the state will just take on a national flavor
- Congress threatens to cut aid to PA over statehood bid, but Israel urges them to reconsider
"Israeli report calls for continued aid to PA," or, keep the money coming so the charade can continue
- The declaration of 'The Jewish Authority in Eretz Yisrael'
I have submitted this before, but it answers the question -
(as well as its cognates)
"And most of the "american" support for these "americans" also comes from people who consider themselves a part of a group that supercedes their "americanism""
Sure, in earlier times it was converting people to "Christianity," or too escape "persecution" (by persecuting others), the ideas change - the participants come from American soil (and elsewhere, but that does not negate American primacy in the region) and commit the same never ending atrocities.
"This is all about American colonialism."
Absolutely, America has never stopped wearing its colonial gown. There is really no difference in the majority of governments, as I have said countless times here they for the most part are merely the franchise of the elite. The courts of yore are the same as the halls of Washington in the USA, whether commissions were given to royalty or merely the enriched - methodologies and appearances have merely changed not purpose, direction, and result. The nightmare will never cease until the people understand what they are dealing with and rise up to dismantle the system, it causes misery both foreign and domestic. No empire has stopped of its own accord, it only abated by hitting brick walls, and the people are in the front seat of the car that hits the wall unless they slam on the breaks and change direction.
- 'Today is the official launch of our campaign: Palestine State 194'
I figured why not add this, it is appropriate -
I hope the results from this will finally halt the delusional gyrations of the UN being some neutral body. Than again, maybe not, hope springs eternal until the ridiculous takes center stage - time to wake up, you are in a coma.
- 'Haaretz' columnist says Netanyahu/September will bring 'death' of dream of Jewish state
"Well, then the only other options are, as Eikenberry put it, "all-out total war" for all of Palestine.."
I disagree with Eikenberry, it will be an all out slaughter of the Palestinians, a holocaust. This is what I have said for a long long time, no one wants to face it, and it will come with the attended curse. No one can face any other prospect if it comes to "war," and to avoid the possibility, or think that it cannot happen, is the same mistake rehashed from WW2 when no one listened. We are entering the same years of hardness which the German people embraced, all of the signs are there along with the preparatory atrocities.
- Stuart Levey and the 'war on terror'
GW can share a cell with Obama, Clinton, Bush senior and every president since the inception of International Law, in fact, if the same standards that were applied to Nazi war criminals were applied to this bunch they would all be hanged (in a perfect world where international law was not used primarily against the poor and weak).
Unless, of course, you believe billionaires are all great philanthropists (which is the exterior of some) - benevolent billionaires (or some other bs you've been fed, Batman - Ironman, etc.), and that they have nothing but good intentions when it comes to mankind in general. Or, that they are just hard working guys who got a break, etc. Sort of the Hollywood makeover version -
It might be time for you guys to understand the roots of the "war on terror" from someone who has done their homework - Max Blumenthal. Unless of course you want to say he is all wet, like you have about what I have posted -
"The sudden rise of Islamophobia in the United States is alarming while the movement that advances anti-Muslim resentment seems bizarre and filled with eccentric, even dangerous characters. But when viewed in the context of a new, groundbreaking research document by the Center for American Progress and an obscure, decades-old political memorandum by a long-forgotten former Supreme Court Justice, the Islamophobic crusade raging across the country appears perfectly in line with longstanding goals and methods of conservative organizing, and is aimed at much more than demonizing Muslims.
In 1971, former US Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell submitted a confidential memorandum to his friend, Eugene Sydnor, the chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce, an umbrella group representing American big business. Powell, who was serving on the boards of 11 corporations at the time, warned that America was suffering from a surplus of democratic freedom thanks to the legacy of the New Left and the countercultural revolt of the 1960's. He declared, "No thoughtful person can question that the American economic system is under broad attack." Powell warned that "Communists, New Leftists and other revolutionaries" were joining forces with "perfectly respectable elements of society from the college campus, the pulpit, the media, the intellectual and literary journals, the arts and sciences, and from politicians" to bring down American capitalism."
You need to understand the roots of what you are fighting, and it is not merely some small contingency of "the lobby," maybe Max can help to wake you up - I'm tired of trying.
How an obscure conservative memo reveals the creeping Islamophobic threat to democracy
This is an extremely important post, not because it is necessarily new news, but because it is a seminal treatment of a subject that needs to be studied in earnest on this site. I could not think of a better source than someone you have posting here like Max Blumenthal. You need to understand that the target is more than merely what the lobby desires, but the wish to destroy democracy itself – if you do not know the target, you will miss the intent of those in power and that would be a shame.
- Emily Henochowicz posts sardonic 'love poem' to a country that 'stole' her eye and is gripped by fear
People want to believe in a fantasy Israel, or that one faction is worse than the other - as an example, that the military takes its deadly liberties independent of the rest of the Israeli government or apparatus. However, this is not the case, court decisions are taken in order to recklessly endanger the lives of innocent people, I found this out a few years back -
"What makes this crass are two points - first, Israel initially had a 300 meter rule for firing shells of this nature because the accuracy of these projectiles is usually a couple of hundred meters off. Earlier this year they purposefully reduced their guidelines to 100 meters - you see the results. Second, shells of this nature must only be fired when there is a immanent threat - according to Israelis own command confession, the rockets they alleged were fired the day before!
This tell us two things - what was done was a bold faced war crime. It also tells us how valuable Zionists believe Palestinian lives to be, worthless. It reminds one of the statement many years ago of Menachem Begin (previous prime minister) - "Palestinians are animals walking on two legs." The question that this evokes is simple - does someone who acts this way, and obviously believes that the Palestinians are worthless (by this very present atrocity) deserve to run a government, let alone the fourth most powerful military force in the world? Justice must roll like a river."
The Israelis keep crying "accident, mistake" etc. Perhaps the tune plays upon the ignorant, but not those who are familiar with Krav Maga where everything at hand is used as a weapon. So, they willfully shot her in the face, knowing it causes death in some instances but she only lost an eye. The application of deadly force is used at peaceful demonstrations, and the demonstrations are blown out of proportion in the propaganda news machine in Israel to "justify" this overkill. Meaning they will take all peaceful resistance, even of foreign activity as if there is some threat to life - when the only people whose lives are threatened are the peaceful demonstrators. The means used in Israel is irredeemable - they need to be given reasons to use such force, which the "peace movement" refuses to deliver, because the only thing it causes for the most part are Palestinian injuries and deaths. Another form of resistance is needed, which will keep Israelis from employing such force if they know their lives will be in danger. A bully avoids a victim if they fight back, and if you check the record you will find less deaths during violent resistance - check it out for yourselves. When there is no violent resistance the death toll of the Palestinians rises higher (see first few months of the second intifada, when mostly peaceful resistance was employed) - to a more recent example of Operation Cast Lead, because there is no threat of viable in kind resistance they kill with impunity more often. We lasted (not me personally) longer in the Warsaw ghetto, and some survived who would have otherwise died, with violent resistance. They should fight back, ask Israelis to join them, and an international revolutionary cadre.
- Taking himself to woodshed, Derfner says his 'awful truth' column isn't what he believes and stood in opposition to 'my allegiance to Israel'
LanceThruster, you're assumption is that I walk alone, I do not, I have plenty of company. People in the community are waking up everywhere to what is transpiring in Israel "for them." We do not need a 21st century Manifest Destiny, even if all wear Kippah's - nor do we need mythological formulations about what never was to justify crimes. And to appeal that it was done in the past, makes about as much sense as a criminal standing up in a court of law and claiming that others had previously committed a similar crime - it deserves nothing but derision and a well deserved penalty, and all of the consequent response from the victims. I am in a large growing group that has a similar sentiment -
I do not need any kehillah that causes me to reverse myself on plain facts, nor do I need to grovel back to a morally bankrupt group posing as the arbiter of my conscience. I do not need macher's who pretend to be helping me as they rape the land and people of another region. Some people need to come to the conclusion that it is better to walk away from this "relationship," it is a joke. This apparently is not a lesson that Derfner has learned, and you have and will lose more generations as this Israeli debacle continues.
Call it what you may -
- Protest disrupts London performance of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
They should not be allowed to sell Israeli goods on an unlit street in the middle of the night without a bullhorn protest
- 'Brand Israel' has failed
The lipstick on a pig analogy applies here, smear it with lipstick and makeup as much as you like, it is still a pig (this only works for cartoon characters or puppets). Perception cannot change with the news and images of the occupation, it is like trying to sell cigarettes with a film of the Marlborough Man on the operating table for lung cancer. So, unlike the author of this piece, here is the answer - cease the occupation - now. You will never win the image battle -
- Libyan triumph exposes the west's double standard for Palestine
"* Agriculture
25-30% of State expenditure goes to Agricultural projects aimed at freeing Libya from its dependence on imported food. "
Interesting that you should mention that Brewer, some of the first bombings made sure that the aquifer transport was destroyed.
If you believed it was the forces of "good" as opposed to the forces of "evil," or humanitarian purposes, or because someone from NATO cares about the Libyans and "freedom," think again. The real reasons are never on the surface, they are NEVER the official reason(s), and if you believe what this propagandist system has told you, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. They are there because if they gain control they can strangle the entire Northern African region to the will of the global junta - it is a resource war, a water war. With the project comes the greening of the desert, where the food cultivated would not only feed Libya, but the entire Northern Africa Region - reducing dependence of course, on Western supply of food stuffs and the lack of dependence means a lack of control by the global mafia.
"Of course, the imperial rebels will need to consolidate their power, which will likely entail some form of the 'Salvadoran option' as 'Gaddafi loyalists' are neutralized with a little help from US Special Operations Forces. A bright future indeed."
Yes, it has already begun Keith, I have reports of journalists who would not bow to US/NATO demands and propagandize, hiding because of multiple death threats which I am sure will be fulfilled - truly "a day of joy" as uncompromising journalists are arrested and assassinated.
Voltaire Network concerned about the death threats hanging over Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya and Thierry Meyssan
I hear you mymarkx, but here it sounds like a voice in the wilderness, it is too bad. Most do not know how to see what is transpiring, their minds have been robbed, they just do not know it
"It's ironic how the US grants money for nuclear research and when these countries start research programs, the US wants to bomb them."
It is SOP Walid (but I think you know that and are just pointing out the irony), they purposefully support what they intend to attack later (either policies or people, it is called pliable policies) - they put dirty people in for future purposes in countries. As another example, look at the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, first they talk about how they dread them - then they put them on the payroll. It is all a game, and gross ignorance of the rules causes people to make posts like this - "they liberated them!" (Libya) They liberated them with harsh Muslim "rebels," these will ties down the people to commiseration while the West liberates them of their oil and encumbers them with businesses that will start the process of national rape. Than we will hear some years down the road "look at these monsters in control of Libya, the people need to be liberated!" It is bullshit on steroids, and anyone who believes these activities have any redeeming quality needs their head examined, or they are a plant by the powers that be to cheer on their carnage.
Your right seafoid, but remember this is "we do not believe in violence" Mr. Weiss, which really translated correctly means - "we only believe in US or Western violence with them wearing nice uniforms." Of course, they will never get close to any democracy, and the thousands of deaths will amount to a hill of beans in some minds. Either way this post is ample proof of mile high hypocrisy and no understanding about what has occurred in the region.
- Austerity generates 'political violence,' from England to Gaza
Some people think all fascism has to be goosestepping and swastikas, they may be in for a rude wake up call when the clock goes off
Many have no idea of what is transpiring
"Oh to be clear: we're against violence here; that's why we are generally so supportive of the boycott campaign, it's nonviolent."
What this amounts to is that you are just for state violence, because these entities will always opt for this type of activity. As is wearing a uniform or getting your orders from any one of these pariahs is legitimate (US or Israel). It is easy to be "non-violent" in personal peace and comfort, the only hope for positions like this is that you are one day attacked severely in your own comfortable armchair. So, self-defense is wrong, and all structural and overt violence from the state is acceptable - I see where you are coming from.
- Israeli Ministers promote racist vision for Israel (and Judaism)
I am glad you all like Gangreentv, but you should be a little clearer as to what their activism entails. I have no disagreement with it (see the archives of this site or my blog), but it might get a bit under the skin of some here -
However, if you are speaking of Zionism or Capitalism in general, this should be its finale (above). Both are rabid with racism, and there are reasons for this - whether it is to sequester a population to do its bidding, or to be able to exploit all of the "other" in the world. You should recognize its origins, because it was used against us from time immemorial.
- Outside intervention
Back in 2006 I proposed a similar possibility, it was pounced upon as being totally off limits. Over time I began to realize the real reason for the NATO forces, and that was to maintain the status quo against named "enemies," which is really just the exploitation and attacking of the poor and weak in order to mine their natural and human resources, which is really what the "war on terror" is all about. NATO has shifted from cold war too the police of the world, in order to maintain world dominance. NATO would never move against who it serves, for its express intent and purposes - so for a trip to the past -
- Gazans campaign to 'save the children of Somalia'
I think it would be appropriate to ask "why" the children in Somalia are starving. It is a question that will be passed over here and elsewhere, because no one wants to ask the pertinent questions.
However, it is outstanding that the Palestinians care and try to alleviate the suffering of the Somalians. It is a marked difference, the Palestinians care from that of the Israelis, who think that because we have gotten some raw deal in the past we have to murder and steal from other people, as opposed to helping those who suffer - it is causing suffering as a result of suffering rather than alleviating suffering. The true meaning and consequent actions of the "Never Again" is dead among the Zionists, thousands of years of teaching has been tossed.
Big difference in response and mindset when comparing the Palestinians and Israelis, it is the difference between privilege and persecution, the difference of domination and the truly oppressed. We have become what we feared and loathed, such is the handiwork of self-deception.
- Tent protests panic Netanyahu (and just might shake foundations of occupation)
One of the gaping holes in what you conceive of as resistance is this gap between the rich and poor in Israel. Because of ignoring this theme, which is global in proportion, we miss the critical grip that is needed, the handle, to making inroads in Israeli society. Don't miss the opportunity, there is a terrible grinding going on economically in the USA, it has a twin in Israel, and it is breaking out globally. By the way, if you think are immune to what is transpiring, think again.
Dominant nations move in lock-step, the same thing happens all over the globe as a few get richer and the rest suffer. This is the legacy of playing ball in the current global system, the only problem is that the people are still a critical element in Israel - they are needed by the elites to continue to fill their coffers while the rest receive less.
It is a point of critical importance that this current course is exploited, and it will be. The Israelis need to know that they are no more important than the Palestinians and the other surrounding nations which they are directed to bomb by their masters. That if there was no need for them they would do the same thing to them, the net of disenfranchisement grows just like in the states and those who did not face the prospect of poverty have fallen while a few have grown wildly rich.
The key is not to allow that to happen while there is still time, while the few still need the body count, they must be crippled so that there is no remedy to continue the same direction in Israel. Tell them, I won't do what you told me - and many here thought that there was no inroad though the themes I have spoken about before, you just might be wrong - watch and see, better yet agitate and participate. They will kill their elite dreams in the capitalistic crib, stop and take a look at the Palestinians - there is where you are headed if you do not reverse this.
- Curb your racism
"Is it possible for even liberal Jews on mainstream American TV to not frame Arabs and Palestinians as all anti-Semites?"
Or, as all terrorists and so on?
- The struggle against the boycott law is fundamental: Should Israel be a Jewish or democratic state?
I think David and Mooser are right, they could do better, like the USA, and put it all in legal writing but follow through on little to nothing... (anybody want some examples?)
- The Norway massacre and the nexus of Islamophobia and right-wing Zionism
I also find these comments intriguing -
"Now it unfortunately already cut himself with Marxists who have already infiltrated-culture, media and educational organizations...For me it is very hypocritical to treat Muslims, Nazis and Marxists differ...Daniel Pipes: Leftism and Islam. Muslims, the warriors Marxists Have Been praying for...kulturmarxister...Kulturmarxistene..."
We should think about this when similar comments and accusations are made. Just to open up another avenue of consideration.
- A number is worth 1000 words
That is terrible guys, drink plenty of fluids and don't expose yourself to the sun too long. I wonder when this heat wave is going to break
- New Profile: Why does independent thinking threaten Israeli leaders as much as terrorism?
"i always become suspicious when terrorist attacks 'help' the agenda of the oppressors..."
That is a good point annie (as well as Charon), that there may be many false flag operations - however, many refuse to see the "oppressors." A people have every right to resist the oppressors by force if they so choose, regardless of what may be some false flag activity. If dominant countries, whoever they are, are going to act like they currently do in the world at large, they should expect push-back. They should expect retaliation in the same form that they dish it out, and believe me (you know) there is no discrimination in how these dominants (either regional or global in scale) attack people and their property.
So regardless of what one might think or believe as to the source of the "terrorist" attack (real or contrived), I would submit this refrain that I have quoted many times without reservation:
"I have often been asked by policy analysts, policy-makers and those stuck with implementing those policies for my advice on what I think America should do to promote peace or win hearts and minds in the Muslim world. It too often feels futile, because such a revolution in American policy would be required that only a true revolution in the American government could bring about the needed changes. An American journal once asked me to contribute an essay to a discussion on whether terrorism or attacks against civilians could ever be justified. My answer was that an American journal should not be asking whether attacks on civilians can ever be justified. This is a question for the weak, for the Native Americans in the past, for the Jews in Nazi Germany, for the Palestinians today, to ask themselves.
Terrorism is a normative term and not a descriptive concept. An empty word that means everything and nothing, it is used to describe what the Other does, not what we do. The powerful – whether Israel, America, Russia or China – will always describe their victims' struggle as terrorism, but the destruction of Chechnya, the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, the slow slaughter of the remaining Palestinians, the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan – with the tens of thousands of civilians it has killed … these will never earn the title of terrorism, though civilians were the target and terrorising them was the purpose...
...Normative rules are determined by power relations. Those with power determine what is legal and illegal. They besiege the weak in legal prohibitions to prevent the weak from resisting. For the weak to resist is illegal by definition. Concepts like terrorism are invented and used normatively as if a neutral court had produced them, instead of the oppressors. The danger in this excessive use of legality actually undermines legality, diminishing the credibility of international institutions such as the United Nations. It becomes apparent that the powerful, those who make the rules, insist on legality merely to preserve the power relations that serve them or to maintain their occupation and colonialism.
Attacking civilians is the last, most desperate and basic method of resistance when confronting overwhelming odds and imminent eradication. The Palestinians do not attack Israeli civilians with the expectation that they will destroy Israel. The land of Palestine is being stolen day after day; the Palestinian people is being eradicated day after day. As a result, they respond in whatever way they can to apply pressure on Israel. Colonial powers use civilians strategically, settling them to claim land and dispossess the native population, be they Indians in North America or Palestinians in what is now Israel and the Occupied Territories. When the native population sees that there is an irreversible dynamic that is taking away their land and identity with the support of an overwhelming power, then they are forced to resort to whatever methods of resistance they can..."
Or, succinctly:
Seriously, when you read things like this, what does it make you think of?
To be called a terrorist in a country that considers books bombs and food to be weapons (in regard to the Palestinians in Gaza) is not a stretch in such a delusional and deceptive state of affairs. The "terrorist" is the new catch phrase, it is the new Nazi to fully demonize and dehumanize any attempt to stop the murderous movement of the colonial settler state of Israel.
To be called a terrorist by Zionists is like the use of the word terrorist by its current mentor and indiscriminate supporter the USA, which flings the word terrorist at any target in order to exploit and dominate (the War On Terror) - the Israelis just do it in a smaller arena. It has been used (the accusation terrorist) since the time of the French Revolution in order to prop up the elite and corrupt status quo of the royal entourage of the time. So the way the Israeli government uses the word terrorist is nothing new, it has just reached a new low.
- Will boycott law shock American liberals into some realization about the character of the only democracy in the Middle East?
Judgement of the laws end might be premature, but its creation is not in question eee. These are the elected representatives of Israel, and if they have passed a law like this the Supreme Court may do as it wills, but it cannot expunge the act and who the participants were, nor their sentiments and design in its creation.
I would say that the Supreme Courts activity will be influenced by international reaction, because if it is not despised by the world community it will stand. The Supreme Court has been little more than a rubber stamp of what is allowable (not unlike its US counterpart), so your faith in its record is questionable. The Supreme Court is part of the thin veneer of democracy in Israel, not totally unlike other so-called "democracies," but true of Israel nonetheless.
Annie, that is really cogent point, the only other thing that has to be considered is the cumulative impact of other pro-Zionist activity in Washington. As an example, there is now an entire branch against what is said to be antisemitism, in the interpretation of antisemitism is anything done against Israel. So Washington has taken the Zionist definition of antisemitism, and therefore takes anything which opposes the Israeli agenda as antisemitism - as it has been coined the so-called "new" antisemitism.
Zionists have positioned themselves in the classic places where boycott has historically arisen, educational institutions (where documentation on civil rights has written the Zionist definition of antisemitism, thereby confounding the actions against Israeli colonial settler state activity such as boycott as antisemitic while using the language of civil rights, or even speaking against Israeli activities), labor, racial organizations, and various groups which have billed themselves as "liberal" (except Palestine), all of the forms of major media (thereby retarding the engine of boycott), etc.
So the point is that one does not have to place it per se in "law," but many supporting factors can contribute to the failure of a boycott effort. It is incumbent on us to switch to other sourcing which can be used for boycott while we keep banging on the traditional doors.
- Col. Travers: Israel's treatment of Palestinian children shows that it does not seek peace
Here is an answer for you eee, nothing will suffice except the complete destruction of Zionism - whether there is a one state or a two state is immaterial. As far as the USA is concerned and all of the cadre of dominant nations, nothing will suffice except the complete destruction of the current global system. That is the point and that should be the goal, period. Both the cradle and superstructure do not deserve to exist.
Of course, Col. Travers is correct - when the children are targeted it is generational, showing that the Israelis want conflict without end. I will not call it war, they want perpetual massacre of the Palestinians. You cannot disconnect the activity from those in power and their conscious decisions, nothing occurs without that governments complete approval, and the government is a rubber stamp for its own elites designs - the people are the dupes and the willing participants that assassinate their brains for whatever material advance.
I can remember a while back a lady telling me how terrible it was to see children armed in a photograph from Gaza. She was completely taken back when I said "damn them," that is, the Israelis - they want to perpetuate this slaughter of the children. It is no different that my damning the USA for its policies globally, or any other dominant country - anyone can see the even hand, so it is extremely difficult to accuse me of prejudice, especially in light of the fact that I am also a member of the community.
As long as people are aware of the fact that it seems ridiculous to appeal to a global superpower (USA) that kills children globally without a twinge of conscience when addressing a regional dominant (Israel) that does the same thing - they are in bed together. However, until people realize these inconsistencies they can continue to address a stone wall - when they are ready the people can tear the wall down. My only question is when will people become cognizant of the illegitimacy of this entire system, because when this happens than we can move on to real answers. I don't care if you think this is totally negative, it is reality and until it is acknowledged it can never be properly acted on in regard to the real change that is not merely cosmetic which we all desire (I hope).
- Ben Gurion Airport showcases the normalization of apartheid in Israel/Palestine
Racism takes a massive effort to maintain by a colonial settler state, it has to be introduced into every crevice of society in order to last. It is imperative that they disenfranchise the indigenous population as much as possible, demonize and set them on edge so much by the artificially enhanced status (which is no status, just like there can be no "second" or whatever class citizens, just the privileged and the disenfranchised) that the victims are kept in a constant state of paranoia (not groundless) that they appear to be different - but it is all manufactured.
It is a dumbing down process from cradle to grave for the so-called privileged, they are given material wealth through murder and theft while the state steals their minds. That is why the Israelis seem so gross and ignorant when it comes to the Palestinians, the conscience is seared by a never ending process while the Israelis live in a bubble world reinforced by their elite owners (but they think they are free, advanced, and liberal). The ignorance cannot be isolated to one segment of an individuals mind or to an enclave of society ("it is all the settlers"), it works toward the destruction of the whole like a fatal disease and must be addressed by the world community. In the meantime the atrocities increase by degree against the Palestinians and spread to all of their supporters both foreign and domestic.
- Hillary gives Israel green light to 'defend' itself from flotilla
Israel not only thinks the waters belong to it, but all of the resources beneath the waters, and it threatens the same force it uses against the flotillas if any nation within the waters close to Israel tries to exploit their own resources -
So you see, it goes quite beyond ownership of the waters. The USA thinks it owns the world, and Israel thinks it owns the entire region - same values (like Michele Bachman says)...
- Bachmann takes it to the mat-- US and Israel are 'two sides of the same coin'
Keith, how did Michele Bachman get into office?
"Upholding American values means that we make clear that we have standards of human conduct and if you don't subscribe to them then while we may cooperate with you when we have an interest in doing so we will not consider you a credible ally."
This is particularly true since the USA is STILL wearing its colonial dress, and the Israelis are always in dress rehearsal - this must be what she means by "standards of human conduct" which is zero. So there are common values - like death and destruction, colonial settler secrets, theft, and all around terrorism. God bless America, Michele Bachman, and their Zionist companions. My bubbe was right, the company you keep identifies you...
"Iraq alone cost $3 000 000 000 000."
Iraq cost American tax payers, and their money is no object when it comes to filling the pockets of the few and keeping the military industrial complex running. They will spend $10.00 of your money to protect $1.00 of their money. Hard lesson to learn, especially for those who say we "lost money," no body lost money but the people. I always wonder who the "we" are -
- Now they tell us: Yale anti-Semitism shop's whole purpose was to defend Israeli expansion into West Bank!
"...causing it to fail the review of its academic standards."
You would be surprised (I suppose) how much "academic standards" are influenced by the influx of money. This seems to be true throughout US institutions of higher learning, which now lean more on their Presidents (administrators) then they do their academic standards. That is one layer.
The next layer, is that any elite design of colonial merit is always supported by the mentor nation. So this eagerness goes much deeper than the mere cash it brings, it goes to the root systemic ideology. The academic institutions are the extension of the system, and the system has not changed since the days of yore. So it may bear repeating - whether one talks about the kingdoms of old, or the feudal system that followed, or capitalism in its current form, it always has the same thread - a moneyed and propertied elite whom the government (which is merely a franchise of the elite) in whatever form serves. What is happening at places like Yale or Harvard (the two supposed stalwarts, and where they go others follow - which were initially built with ill gotten gain, and I can elaborate if you want the lesson) is no different than in the past, they legitimize (or attempt to) elite design, and just like the kingdoms of old taxed the peasants for their colonial wars of fortune and brought to bear their governmental might and favor of the same colonial exploits continues, whether in the kings courts or Washington.
This is why it is imperative, whether you are looking at the Zionist portion or any of the other "exploits," that the system must die once and for all. I argue not only on the basis of what is termed foreign policy but on a domestic basis, because it always ends in the commiseration and destruction of the people both foreign and domestic. Burn it down -
"Stay away from me
Build a fortress
And shield your beliefs
Touch the divine
As we fall in line
Can I believe
When I don't trust
All your theories
Turn to dust
I choose to hide
From the all seeing eye
Destroy this City of Delusion
Break these walls down
I will avenge
Justify my reasons
With your blood
You'll not rest
Settle for less
Until you guzzle
And squander what's left
Do not deny
That you live and let die
Destroy this City of Delusion
Break these walls down
I will avenge
Justify my reasons
With your blood
Destroy this City of Delusion
Break these walls down
I will avenge
Justify my reasons
With your blood."
If you think it will take less, you are mad
- Open letter to Gaddafi supporter Cynthia McKinney from disappointed Palestinians
It is interesting that experienced reporters, like Dan Murphy of the Christian Science Monitor find some deja vu in these "reports."
"Yet it's an extraordinary tale that has little hard information to back it. I was told the story repeatedly when I was in Libya in February and March, but could never verify any of it, so didn't report it. I've also heard the mass rape claim with the odd Viagra detail before: about seven years ago in Iraq, and in multiple small wars in Indonesia before that."
However, what is not questionable is what the ICC is trying to do with this questionable information -
Mr. Ocampo is already seeking separate war crimes warrants for Qaddafi and his son, and clearly has some prosecutorial zeal for the Libyan strongman. He didn't provide any evidence for his claim beyond referring to reports that a few hundred women may have been raped.
"Yet here's how Ocampo's claim was handled by The Guardian last week. "Libya mass rape claims: using Viagra would be a horrific first" is the headline. "Reports of the distribution of 'Viagra-type' pills to troops add an unprecedented element to Gaddafi's alleged war crimes." This paper also took Ocampo's claims at face value. "ICC: Evidence shows that Qaddafi ordered rape of hundreds." "
We have repeated excursions into "short history" here, no one remembers the past (or does not study it), and rumor mills, innuendo, unsubstantiated reports, and propaganda are all the tools of those who wish to do in any advance in any of these volatile regions. Granted, some are gullible and pushed along by their baseless prejudices, what we need to do is discern who is duped for whatever reason, and those with questionable designs.
- Report from a police holding cell
"At 11 AM on Monday 6 June, a policeman knocked on my door and gave me an "invitation to report to the police for questioning" by 11:30!!!"
It always starts with a knock at the door -
Sometimes they knock at the door, lately they have just been knocking the door down.
"No matter what country, no matter what year
We we're always pursued with the weapon of fear
They came by the night, they came by the day
Came with their guns to take us away
With a knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more.
At Homestead, Missoula and Haymarket Square
The cops and the soldiers we're armed and prepared
The movements we're broken, the strikes beaten down
The strike leaders woke to that terrible sound
That old knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more.
In the Oakland, Chicago and New York slums
They watched and they waited and loaded their guns
The Panthers we're murdered or locked-up and framed
With bullets or gavels, it started the same
With a knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more.
Some came seeking jobs, some came seeking homes
Some died in the mountains, some died on the road
Over the border, some made it alive
To live with the fear that that day might arrive
That old knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more.
In Tucson and Oregon, the tactic prevails
With the Joint-Terror Task Force's federal jails
Who will be next? Our eyes look around
Searching their ranks for that sight and that sound
That old knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more.
They came under Wilson, Hitler and Mao
Hussein and Suharto, and they're coming now
And they may come for me before the night's through
Just know that tomorrow they'll come back for you
With their knock on the door, knock on the door
Here they come to take one more, one more. "
- How 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' became a mascot of the liberal west
Let me say if you do not know where you stand domestically in the scheme of things, your teleological projection will be off. Or, if you think that you can systemically become buddies with the current course you will never understand foreign policy. An assumed delusional identification at home will cause you to perceive issues incorrectly abroad -
This can be taken in a number of different contexts, whatever subject you are talking about.
One should be very careful in the analysis of what is transpiring in regard to Islamism and the West (US) position, because what you find is this support of the Islamic position initially and than you suddenly find the opposition of the Islamic regime from those who helped them gain power. So, what you have is the creation of the "problem," and than the solution - the war on terror. It is much more cynical than merely fearing or creating the image of what might come, but the support of the process and than the opposition.
As an example, if you read Samir Amin and his analysis of what has transpired, and is transpiring in Egypt he names this process clearly:
"The apparent "stability of the regime," boasted of by successive U.S. officials like Hillary Clinton, was based on a monstrous police apparatus counting 1.200,000 men (the army numbering a mere 500,000) free to carry out daily acts of criminal abuse. The imperialist powers claimed that this regime was "protecting" Egypt from the threat of Islamism. This was nothing but a clumsy lie. In reality the regime had perfectly integrated reactionary political Islam (on the Wahhabite model of the Gulf) into its power structure by giving it control of education, of the courts, and of the major media (especially television). The sole permitted public speech was that of the Salafist mosques, allowing the Islamists, to boot, to pretend to make up "the opposition." The cynical duplicity of the US establishment's speeches (Obama no less than Bush) was perfectly adapted to its aims. The de facto support for political Islam destroyed the capacity of Egyptian society to confront the challenges of the modern world (bringing about a catastrophic decline in education and research), while by occasionally denouncing its "abuses" (like assassinations of Copts) Washington could legitimize its military interventions as actions in its self-styled "war against terrorism." The regime could still appear "tolerable" as long as it had the safety valve provided by mass emigration of poor and middle-class workers to the oil-producing countries. The exhaustion of that system (Asian immigrants replacing those from Arabic countries) brought with it the rebirth of opposition movements. The workers' strikes in 2007 (the strongest strikes on the African continent in the past fifty years), the stubborn resistance of small farmers threatened with expropriation by agrarian capital, and the formation of democratic protest groups among the middle classes (like the "Kefaya" and "April 6″ movements) foretold the inevitable explosion—expected by Egyptians but startling to "foreign observers." And thus began a new phase in the tide of emancipation struggles, whose directions and opportunities for development we are now called on to analyze."
You see these same patterns in the initial support of the Taliban in Afghanistan, indeed Reagan called them tantamount to the "founding fathers," and in Israel initially helping to set up Hamas so that there was a power struggle within the Palestinian structure, to eventually saying Hamas is the most evil entity on earth and making it the excuse for terrible policies which just further Zionist purposes. Until we begin to understand these processes we will not be able to understand the subversion of domination, nor devise ways to thwart and stop these tactics.
- Some thoughts on the fake gay blogger from Damascus....
Palestinian women shot down in the streets, after the Israeli soldiers yell at them calling them whores -
The only reason the shooting stopped is that the Israeli soldiers realized there were international cameras present recording the event.
I can remember a short while ago pondering why when Palestinian women are assaulted and imprisoned by Israelis that so little was said. It disturbed me greatly, and when those in the US would listen to these individuals in Israel who were going to rescue "the poor oppressed Palestinian women," who were supposed to suffering from "Muslim oppression."
I have said it many times before, and I will probably say it again when individuals bring up liberation in a domestic context of Palestinian women, or Iraqi women, or Afghan women and so on - that their liberators who indiscriminately bomb not caring for these ladies lives, will write of their "liberation" on their grave stones. Has anyone ever heard an Israeli shout out "is there anyone gay here?" before they shoot?
What this individual did, with a fictitious person, was to imply that there was no redeeming quality in these societies (I used the plural because there are many nuances when you are talking about a billion plus people all over the world), and that there is no humanity in their collective persons. As if there is no common affection and nothing but harsh rigidity, that there is not even common love and affection in family members - as there is in their Western and enlightened superiors. It was a reinforcement of the wholly other, another form of Orientalism -
Do the Israelis ask Palestinian women prisoners if they are gay?
- May was deadliest month for civilians in Afghanistan (and US-NATO role is whitewashed!)
I am afraid that this post may not go over big here, because some would not like to see UN complicity in these ongoing atrocities. In fact, this post may not even appear, and if it does it may be only one of a few who wish to face the reality of this situation. Has anyone ever read the rules of engagement in Afghanistan? Not much different than Iraq. Perhaps I should do a repeat link, part of the process is that the UN and cognate agencies is not only to serve its main "benefactor" positively, but through not reporting what is occurring throughout the world on behalf of the "empire" -
Just in case someone does not want to read the last link of "and beyond..."
"What NATO is doing is taking advantage of internal divisions to destroy Libya as a country.
The unspoken objective is to destroy Libya's economy and to prevent it from developing as a nation-state. This is why schools and universities, hospitals, shipyards, factories, not to mention residential areas, have been the target of NATO bombings.
Readers are informed in advance that the photographic evidence that follows is disturbing."
- Our demands (designing placards for a demonstration)
"When confronted with the fact that their positions lack logic, schizoids don't reconsider their positions, they just stop talking to you. At least that's been my experience."
Yes, exactly mymarkx, that is my experience also (not only in that particular context) in the past and recent context. Self-deception is extremely hard to overcome, especially if it is profitable or what they consider safe.
I am afraid the American background is very racist from its origins, and specifically from the slave trade and originally trying to perpetuate it in its documents, but also for "conquering" the land and genocide upon the indigenous population. In fact, all one has to do is see the various documents, and the discussions about "white" as opposed to others to not miss the point. Of course, one has to keep in mind the elite use of racism in order to understand the course of any colonialism. Whether one note the racism in the domestic arena, and it does not take much extrapolation to see it in "the white mans burden."
Every state constitution in the US spoke of the privilege of "white males," as opposed to others. Take as one example the Constitution Of The State Of California -
"Article II.
Right of Suffrage.
Sec. 1. Every white male citizen of the United States.."
Or Arkansas -
"Arkansas: The citizens of this State shall have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense. Art. II, § 5 (enacted 1868, art. I, § 5).
1836: "That the free white men of this State shall have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defence." Art. II, § 21."
If you think the original state constitutions were bad, look at the study about the definitions in Washington. I can develop more for you later if you want to see more.
I have posted this link before, if you want to know what is happening to the Palestinian Arabs inside of Israel -
"(Haifa and Nazareth, Israel) In 2005, the EU and Israel committed to engage in a bilateral political dialogue and to cooperate to "promote and protect rights of minorities, including enhancing political, economic, social and cultural opportunities for all citizens and lawful residents."
Five years later, however, the situation of the Palestinian Arab minority in Israel has further deteriorated with a flood of discriminatory legislation that targets their basic citizenship rights, rampant anti-Arab racism throughout the country, and attacks, including criminal indictments, against Arab political leaders for their legitimate political activities."
This above article highlights in the inaction of the EU, but the site is littered with articles that show the Apartheid practices.
- Reports say Israel killed 20 protesters today at fence of occupied Golan
Here is the real clincher, will Israel face any ramification for murdering 25 people and wounding hundreds of others? Or, will it be the same impunity? What do you think?
- 'NYT' grants Israel the occupied Golan (and paragraph 3, to say, We shot at their feet)
"We shot at their feet," this is a new one. It used to be "we shot into the air," and because so many Palestinians ended up hit in the head and chest and elsewhere, it caused speculation that the Palestinians could fly...
- New White House page on Israel's security says nothing about settlements or occupation, but tons about Iran, Goldstone, slaughter of innocent Israelis, delegitimization
Yes, like this has been the thrust all along here Citizen, and I have not received considerable opposition - wonderful argument, and proof positive of complete denial. Disenchantment is quite different than recognition and action to undo the process - but you probably recognize that to, and can carp on with the childish retort "I knew that." No, you really do not know that, and if you did it would consume you to action rather than repeated silly banter.
Citizen like I said if you do not know who or what the targets are you are SOL (this will also answer Mr. Blankfort), and the problem lies in the fact that people have no idea that there is a difference between the government and the state, to start with - do you? You can tell that you do not know anything about the targets, and that is because you swallow the system as it displays itself.
When we are in a confrontational position with capitalism / globalism / imperialism / empire it is essential for us to know how this beast operates. This requires sound definitions that describe conditions as they really exist. If we do not do this our dissent will devolve into an ineffective mass of opinions.
We must understand that we are dealing with a dual system, there are two political systems that we are involved with in America. First is the visible government - elections, people in public office, etc. You could call this the facade, the face of the state. This is what we are taught in the schools.
Then there is the state, the state is the financial structure of the political economy, the basic interest of finance capital both domestic and international. This is typified by the multi-national corporations - this is not what is taught in the schools.
This dual system, which empirically overlaps, is the distinction between the government and the state. The government deals with interest conflict groups and popular demands, it provides the cloak and some of the substance of democratic rule. However, the democracy which is there is because the people fought for it - it had to be extracted from the people who had wealth, property and hence power. Democracy is the system developed by the people to defend themselves from the people with wealth and property.
The state is the means of class control. The first armed men were hired by those who had large property holdings in ancient horticultural society. The state wields a "legal" monopoly over force and violence. The goal of capitalism is not to help us or the environment, it's goal is to transform nature into commodities and commodities into capital. It will go into all of the world (and it is doing this before your very eyes) and transform it into it's own image.
Why do we make this distinction between state and government? It allows us to understand that taking an office in government does not guarantee full access to state power. That is, the military, the police, the security forces, intelligence services, the courts, and the laws that rig the whole system for the propertied class - an elected leader cannot necessarily get to this. When democracy moves against those with property and privilege, this is when the state comes down and puts a stop to the process of democracy.
Now you have a state which works powerfully against any form of democratic government, through the instrument of government. It wishes to roll back every democratic advance. It is vitally important that we understand this, that we grasp these definitions. Without a knowledge of the difference between the state and the government we will go nowhere fast! This is what we have to consider when we dissent from the capitalistic state - it should temper all the means we will employ to combat this present monstrosity that has grown before our eyes.
However, you are not even on first base, I can tell by your dialogue - you are creatures of what you have been taught, but until you get outside of this prefabricated box you are doomed to frustration and defeat. Before you answer what I have written read it again - and think of what I said the "targets" are.
Yes I am speaking in global terms, if you want to see an interesting template see my current post on my site, there is quite a bit that can be learned from Dr. Amin - you can translate what he sees in Egypt to the current domestic situation anywhere. The system and its elites are currently in a condition of diet, as the fat around their midsection (the so-called Middle class) melts away at alarming rate. The set of the balance scale will get heavier on the side of the few, as the peoples side of the scale gets lighter - time and conditions are on our side. Look for the revolutionary moment - when will you wake up?
I don't think you understand Mr. Blankfort, there are several elements that were wrong, and brought your activity in the past to its eventual demise. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of deprecating your initial designs during that era, just showing that it was unfortunately inadequate.
First of all, timing is paramount, and what we are seeing now is more than a bump in the road of capitalism, we are watching its death - not to mourn but to celebrate, because its demise is well deserved. There is nothing on the horizon but worse conditions, and there is no one who will stop the devouring of the people - this is not necessarily bad, it is good albeit somewhat painful - but the worst is yet to come.
Second, you will not accomplish anything if you have the wrong target(s), this was another unfortunate error in past activity. If you do not aim at the heart, and shoot the enemy in the big toe he lives another day to oppress, I do not suffer from the same bad aim.
Third, if you have the wrong goals all is lost, there is no loss of vision that I suffer from, nor bad tactical planning. Your vision suffered because you view of history and what is transpiring is skewed, that can be seen by what you post - and what frankly, you love and embrace - I have no love for my oppressor(s) nor the systemic monstrosity.
Now you might ask "who is this fellow?" Everyone has a part to play to bring about the demise of this monstrous system, I choose to agitate - and I have good aim. I guess you could see me is several different lights, here is one that seems to agree with your base sentiments, try to have some sympathy -
"(1) Perhaps, with your great knowledge of such things, you can tell us who exactly makes up that enclave that dictates our Israel policy and are there not contradictions between it and other sectors of that enclave as reflected in the comments of Col. Wilkerson and Cordesman who speak for other sectors of that enclave?"
Contradictions do not mean that a course will not be taken, there are always contradictions and we are on the same path. Do you want to know who dictates the policy - here is your answer:
You cannot divide imperialism from capitalism, it is a system that must be faced and routed, permanently. Your second question flows from the first, no one who serves the system and benefits from it will dissent and challenge the sacred cow - after all (whether you believe it or not, it is a fact that this is what has been transpiring since the inception of the USA).
How am I going to do it? First, you have got to know your enemy, and than you have to wake up - you qualify for neither first steps Mr. Blankfort: