April 21, 2004
TIME FOR DUBYA TO ADMIT HE SCREWED UP
Why Won't Dubya Apologize? Botched 9/11 info, two botched wars, a gutted economy, global scorn. Why can't W be a man? San Francisco Chronicle
Why Won't Dubya Apologize? Botched 9/11 info, two botched wars, a gutted economy, global scorn. Why can't W be a man? San Francisco Chronicle
SPOTLIGHT ON ISRAEL'S WMDs
The Israeli armed forces now possess missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload up to 1,500 kilometres away, and are developing others with much longer range. They have acquired more than 200 nuclear-capable aircraft, and have completed the land-air-and-sea triad by buying three nuclear-capable submarines. They probably have more nuclear warheads than Britain, including thermonuclear warheads. Israel is a fully-fledged member of the nuclear club and possessor of weapons of mass destruction, with just one difference - that it will not admit to the fact. GUARDIAN
The Israeli armed forces now possess missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload up to 1,500 kilometres away, and are developing others with much longer range. They have acquired more than 200 nuclear-capable aircraft, and have completed the land-air-and-sea triad by buying three nuclear-capable submarines. They probably have more nuclear warheads than Britain, including thermonuclear warheads. Israel is a fully-fledged member of the nuclear club and possessor of weapons of mass destruction, with just one difference - that it will not admit to the fact. GUARDIAN
WHITE HOUSE ARROGANCE BREATHTAKING
Like Mafiosi marveling at the authenticity of the latest "Sopranos" episode, the president's true believers have gazed into (Bob) Woodward's mirror and taken perverse pride at what they see reflected there.
Detroit Free Press
Like Mafiosi marveling at the authenticity of the latest "Sopranos" episode, the president's true believers have gazed into (Bob) Woodward's mirror and taken perverse pride at what they see reflected there.
Detroit Free Press
BRING WEAPONS INSPECTORS INTO ISRAEL
"Israel doesn't need nuclear arms, especially now that all the Middle East is free from nuclear arms... My message today to all the world is open the Dimona reactor for inspections," he said. REUTERS
"Israel doesn't need nuclear arms, especially now that all the Middle East is free from nuclear arms... My message today to all the world is open the Dimona reactor for inspections," he said. REUTERS
April 16, 2004
THE FALLACY OF 'STANDING FIRM'
"In the 21st century, the most courageous act is not an endless repetition of the mantra "we will stand firm against terrorism". The most courageous act is to recognise past failures of intelligence and strategy, and look for alternatives. THE AGE
"In the 21st century, the most courageous act is not an endless repetition of the mantra "we will stand firm against terrorism". The most courageous act is to recognise past failures of intelligence and strategy, and look for alternatives. THE AGE
April 14, 2004
CAN SOMEBODY, PLEASE, PUT AN ADULT BACK IN CHARGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE??
“So now, I can call up the President of Mauritius, and give him permission to hand over parts of …. Texas …. to the Chinese” That’s how the President of the Palestinian Authority reacted to George Bush’s ridiculous recognition of Ariel Sharon’s illegal West Bank settlements today.
Is this the day when ISRAEL has finally annexed the WHITE HOUSE? What is going on, when the actions of a (not yet convicted) war criminal and (not yet convicted) corrupt politician, in invading sovereign territory to establish illegal settlements BY FORCE, are REWARDED by the “World’s most powerful man” …. The self proclaimed architect of a new world order – who then, breathtakingly, announces that this is a ‘great step in the peace process’ ….. Really, it’s simply too sick to stomach.
Of course, Sharon is a shrewd operator. He has Bush exactly where he wants him. He knows Bush can hardly condemn Sharon's illegal invasion of Arab lands, when Bush himself has just done likewise. Sharon pressed home his advantage, but Bush's advisors are smoking some SERIOUS weed if they think for one moment that this will help the peace process.
And NO, these comment is NOT anti-Semitic, NOR anti-American, but such insane decision making can only force anyone with even half a brain to be anti-Sharon, and anti-Bush, who together now form an axis of terror, hell-bent on bringing further death & destruction to both their own peoples and those unfortunates staring down the barrels of their guns. One can only despair... New York Times
“So now, I can call up the President of Mauritius, and give him permission to hand over parts of …. Texas …. to the Chinese” That’s how the President of the Palestinian Authority reacted to George Bush’s ridiculous recognition of Ariel Sharon’s illegal West Bank settlements today.
Is this the day when ISRAEL has finally annexed the WHITE HOUSE? What is going on, when the actions of a (not yet convicted) war criminal and (not yet convicted) corrupt politician, in invading sovereign territory to establish illegal settlements BY FORCE, are REWARDED by the “World’s most powerful man” …. The self proclaimed architect of a new world order – who then, breathtakingly, announces that this is a ‘great step in the peace process’ ….. Really, it’s simply too sick to stomach.
Of course, Sharon is a shrewd operator. He has Bush exactly where he wants him. He knows Bush can hardly condemn Sharon's illegal invasion of Arab lands, when Bush himself has just done likewise. Sharon pressed home his advantage, but Bush's advisors are smoking some SERIOUS weed if they think for one moment that this will help the peace process.
And NO, these comment is NOT anti-Semitic, NOR anti-American, but such insane decision making can only force anyone with even half a brain to be anti-Sharon, and anti-Bush, who together now form an axis of terror, hell-bent on bringing further death & destruction to both their own peoples and those unfortunates staring down the barrels of their guns. One can only despair... New York Times
AMERICA'S "WAR FOR SOULS" IN IRAQ
Just when you thought things couldn't get much more absurd in Iraq ...... there's this.
"American Christian missionaries have declared a 'war for souls' in Iraq... [and] are pouring into the country, which is 97 per cent Muslim, bearing Arabic Bibles, videos and religious tracts designed to 'save' Muslims from their 'false' religion'. Evangelical groups are organizing "in secrecy, and emphasizing their humanitarian aid work." Leading the evangelical onslaught is the International Mission Board, the missionary arm of the Southern Baptists. More here
Just when you thought things couldn't get much more absurd in Iraq ...... there's this.
"American Christian missionaries have declared a 'war for souls' in Iraq... [and] are pouring into the country, which is 97 per cent Muslim, bearing Arabic Bibles, videos and religious tracts designed to 'save' Muslims from their 'false' religion'. Evangelical groups are organizing "in secrecy, and emphasizing their humanitarian aid work." Leading the evangelical onslaught is the International Mission Board, the missionary arm of the Southern Baptists. More here
NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME
President Bush went on TV Tuesday to reassure voters about the war in Iraq. Instead, he came off as a schoolboy who hadn't done his homework.
Four times during his prime-time press conference Tuesday, George W. Bush was asked whether he has made any mistakes in his presidency, whether there was anything -- his decision to invade Iraq on what turned out to be false pretenses, his failure to take decisive action in response to a memo that warned of terrorist attacks in the United States -- for which he might apologize.
Three times, Bush gave rambling responses that addressed everything but the questions presented. The fourth time, the president took a deep breath, blew it out, looked at the ground, looked at the ceiling, stalled for time, then said: "You know, I just -- I'm sure something will pop into my head here in the midst of this press conference, with all the pressure of trying to come up with an answer, but it hadn't yet." SALON
President Bush went on TV Tuesday to reassure voters about the war in Iraq. Instead, he came off as a schoolboy who hadn't done his homework.
Four times during his prime-time press conference Tuesday, George W. Bush was asked whether he has made any mistakes in his presidency, whether there was anything -- his decision to invade Iraq on what turned out to be false pretenses, his failure to take decisive action in response to a memo that warned of terrorist attacks in the United States -- for which he might apologize.
Three times, Bush gave rambling responses that addressed everything but the questions presented. The fourth time, the president took a deep breath, blew it out, looked at the ground, looked at the ceiling, stalled for time, then said: "You know, I just -- I'm sure something will pop into my head here in the midst of this press conference, with all the pressure of trying to come up with an answer, but it hadn't yet." SALON
Britain and US 'divided on Iraq policy'
Tensions between British and American officials have long been hinted at, not least between Paul Bremer, America's proconsul, and Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Britain's former envoy to Baghdad who left - apparently in some frustration - last month.
One CPA insider said: "There was an understanding in the CPA that Bremer and Greenstock didn't like each other. It personified the differences between the two views. "Greenstock thought Bremer was naive; Bremer thought Greenstock was pursuing the wrong policies." TELEGRAPH
Tensions between British and American officials have long been hinted at, not least between Paul Bremer, America's proconsul, and Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Britain's former envoy to Baghdad who left - apparently in some frustration - last month.
One CPA insider said: "There was an understanding in the CPA that Bremer and Greenstock didn't like each other. It personified the differences between the two views. "Greenstock thought Bremer was naive; Bremer thought Greenstock was pursuing the wrong policies." TELEGRAPH
April 13, 2004
AT LAST .... SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN THE U.S. IRAQ STRATEGY
"Her name is Shandi and she says she'll use her position as the new Miss USA to explain US involvement in Iraq. No kidding ! Read on, here
"Her name is Shandi and she says she'll use her position as the new Miss USA to explain US involvement in Iraq. No kidding ! Read on, here
April 11, 2004
US MILITARY COMMANDERS VIEW IRAQIS AS "SUBHUMAN", SAY BRITISH COMMANDERS
In a week in which US forces laid siege to Falluja with Apache attack helicopters firing Hellfire missiles, armed with depleted uranium, into built-up civilian areas, over 600 lie dead. Now exasperated British commanders in Iraq are speaking off the record of their dismay at US tactics.
"When US troops are attacked with mortars in Baghdad, they use mortar-locating radar to find the firing point and then attack the general area with artillery, even though the area they are attacking may be in the middle of a densely populated residential area.
"They may well kill the terrorists in the barrage, but they will also kill and maim innocent civilians. That has been their response on a number of occasions. It is trite, but American troops do shoot first and ask questions later. They don't see the Iraqi people the way we see them. They view them as untermenschen." More
In a week in which US forces laid siege to Falluja with Apache attack helicopters firing Hellfire missiles, armed with depleted uranium, into built-up civilian areas, over 600 lie dead. Now exasperated British commanders in Iraq are speaking off the record of their dismay at US tactics.
"When US troops are attacked with mortars in Baghdad, they use mortar-locating radar to find the firing point and then attack the general area with artillery, even though the area they are attacking may be in the middle of a densely populated residential area.
"They may well kill the terrorists in the barrage, but they will also kill and maim innocent civilians. That has been their response on a number of occasions. It is trite, but American troops do shoot first and ask questions later. They don't see the Iraqi people the way we see them. They view them as untermenschen." More
IS AUG 6 MEMO THE 9/11 SMOKING GUN?
"President Bush was warned a month before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that the FBI had information that terrorists might be preparing for a hijacking in the United States and might be targeting a building in Lower Manhattan." Washington Post
"President Bush was warned a month before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that the FBI had information that terrorists might be preparing for a hijacking in the United States and might be targeting a building in Lower Manhattan." Washington Post
'WATERGATE' TIMEBOMB LURKING IN KERRY FBI FILES ?
"It has, according to the victim of a burglary in California, all the makings of a "west coast Watergate". Three box files of politically-charged documents looked unexceptional but were filled with FBI surveillance records on a Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist by the name of John Kerry.
It's believed the burglars were seeking papers that link Senator Kerry - the Democratic presidential candidate - to a controversial meeting of anti-Vietnam War activists in the early 1970s, at which a proposal to assassinate US congressmen was discussed. TELEGRAPH
"It has, according to the victim of a burglary in California, all the makings of a "west coast Watergate". Three box files of politically-charged documents looked unexceptional but were filled with FBI surveillance records on a Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist by the name of John Kerry.
It's believed the burglars were seeking papers that link Senator Kerry - the Democratic presidential candidate - to a controversial meeting of anti-Vietnam War activists in the early 1970s, at which a proposal to assassinate US congressmen was discussed. TELEGRAPH
April 10, 2004
SIEGE OF FALLUJA: WHAT ARE THE AMERICANS DOING .... AND WHY?
ACTIONS OF US FORCES "ILLEGAL AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE", say Iraq Governing Council
In retaliation for the horrific murders of 4 US civilian contractors in Falluja last week, American forces sealed off the town and have been bombing it & shelling it all week. The death toll has risen to 450, mainly civilians. They seem determined to simply wipe this Sunni town off the map. What is going on?
Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council on Saturday urged an immediate ceasefire in Falluja, criticising the US drive against the resistance as "collective punishment" of civilians as well.
"We call for an immediate ceasefire and for resorting to political solutions for situations in some parts of the country, particularly in the city of Falluja" The statement called for speeding up the process of transferring power from the US-led occupation to Iraqis and an end to all armed presences across the country.
The council urged the adoption of policies to fight unemployment and resolve social and economic problems in Iraq, instead of "facing security problems with military and police ways." Angry members of the interim council on Friday threatened to resign if American forces did not halt their bloody offensive in Falluja. Even Adnan Pachachi, widely seen as the most pro-American member of the 25-member council, was incensed by the violence in Fallujah.
"We consider the action carried out by US forces as illegal and totally unacceptable," he said.
Speaking to Aljazeera, IGC member and spokesman for the Iraqi Islamic party Hakim al-Hasni also called on fighters in Falluja to halt "military actions". "US forces in Falluja claim their attacks come in retaliation for the resistance they meet," al-Hasni said. "Therefore, I call upon you (fighters in Falluja), on behalf of the Islamic party, to stop military action in order to prevent bloodshed and give us an opportunity to transfer the injured, bury the killed people and send humanitarian aid to the city," he added. AL JAZEERA
ACTIONS OF US FORCES "ILLEGAL AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE", say Iraq Governing Council
In retaliation for the horrific murders of 4 US civilian contractors in Falluja last week, American forces sealed off the town and have been bombing it & shelling it all week. The death toll has risen to 450, mainly civilians. They seem determined to simply wipe this Sunni town off the map. What is going on?
Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council on Saturday urged an immediate ceasefire in Falluja, criticising the US drive against the resistance as "collective punishment" of civilians as well.
"We call for an immediate ceasefire and for resorting to political solutions for situations in some parts of the country, particularly in the city of Falluja" The statement called for speeding up the process of transferring power from the US-led occupation to Iraqis and an end to all armed presences across the country.
The council urged the adoption of policies to fight unemployment and resolve social and economic problems in Iraq, instead of "facing security problems with military and police ways." Angry members of the interim council on Friday threatened to resign if American forces did not halt their bloody offensive in Falluja. Even Adnan Pachachi, widely seen as the most pro-American member of the 25-member council, was incensed by the violence in Fallujah.
"We consider the action carried out by US forces as illegal and totally unacceptable," he said.
Speaking to Aljazeera, IGC member and spokesman for the Iraqi Islamic party Hakim al-Hasni also called on fighters in Falluja to halt "military actions". "US forces in Falluja claim their attacks come in retaliation for the resistance they meet," al-Hasni said. "Therefore, I call upon you (fighters in Falluja), on behalf of the Islamic party, to stop military action in order to prevent bloodshed and give us an opportunity to transfer the injured, bury the killed people and send humanitarian aid to the city," he added. AL JAZEERA
MYSTERY OF CONDI'S BEHAVIOR
In the "summer of threat", in June and July 2001, President George Bush and his National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, were deluged with intelligence reports warning of a catastrophic terrorist attack on US interests. While the CIA thought the attack would probably be overseas, the White House counter-terrorism chief, Richard Clarke, warned that al-Qaeda could strike at home.
So, on July 5, Rice set up a meeting with Clarke and Bush's chief of staff, Andy Card. At the meeting she promptly delegated Clarke "to make sure that domestic agencies were aware of the heightened threat period and were taking appropriate steps". At no time did Rice suggest she should actually chair a meeting with all those agency heads or even sit in on it. Nor did she think she should talk to the head of the FBI. Nor did she suggest Clarke should actually brief the President or his cabinet. More here
In the "summer of threat", in June and July 2001, President George Bush and his National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, were deluged with intelligence reports warning of a catastrophic terrorist attack on US interests. While the CIA thought the attack would probably be overseas, the White House counter-terrorism chief, Richard Clarke, warned that al-Qaeda could strike at home.
So, on July 5, Rice set up a meeting with Clarke and Bush's chief of staff, Andy Card. At the meeting she promptly delegated Clarke "to make sure that domestic agencies were aware of the heightened threat period and were taking appropriate steps". At no time did Rice suggest she should actually chair a meeting with all those agency heads or even sit in on it. Nor did she think she should talk to the head of the FBI. Nor did she suggest Clarke should actually brief the President or his cabinet. More here
April 09, 2004
TIME TO STOP BOMBING AND START TALKING ?
The 'Neocon' cabal around George Bush famously love to spout quotations from Britains' wartime leader Winston Churchill. Bush himself has, more than once, tried to paint himself as a Churchill for the 21st century. One wonders if any of them recall Churchill's statement in support of diplomacy "Jaw Jaw is better than War War" ? Former UK Government Minister Mo Mowlam says now it's time to talk. Full story here
The 'Neocon' cabal around George Bush famously love to spout quotations from Britains' wartime leader Winston Churchill. Bush himself has, more than once, tried to paint himself as a Churchill for the 21st century. One wonders if any of them recall Churchill's statement in support of diplomacy "Jaw Jaw is better than War War" ? Former UK Government Minister Mo Mowlam says now it's time to talk. Full story here
April 08, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Gee ..... how did OUR oil get under THEIR sand?" Greg Proops, U.S. comedian, on the Iraq war.
"Gee ..... how did OUR oil get under THEIR sand?" Greg Proops, U.S. comedian, on the Iraq war.
IRAQ IN MELTDOWN - WHY?
Hunkered down inside their massive Baghdad fortress, U.S. officials have no idea why the Iraq occupation has turned into a nightmare. Here are some clues. SALON
Hunkered down inside their massive Baghdad fortress, U.S. officials have no idea why the Iraq occupation has turned into a nightmare. Here are some clues. SALON
April 06, 2004
REMOVAL OF INDYMEDIA LINK FROM 'GO FIGURE'
The publication of a video calling for the "destruction of the EU from the bottom up" on the Indymedia website has caused us to remove the previous link in the sidebar of 'Go Figure'. Far from offering an independent world view, Indymedia has, by publishing such a flagrant piece of extreme left-wing rabble-rousing propaganda, in our view, lost the plot.
We are not opposed to free speech, but no longer wish to be associated with a group who are clearly pursuing an agenda which is inconsistent with what we stand for (see "Go Figure Op Ed" March 25 2003 posting in archive).
The video in question may be viewed here
The publication of a video calling for the "destruction of the EU from the bottom up" on the Indymedia website has caused us to remove the previous link in the sidebar of 'Go Figure'. Far from offering an independent world view, Indymedia has, by publishing such a flagrant piece of extreme left-wing rabble-rousing propaganda, in our view, lost the plot.
We are not opposed to free speech, but no longer wish to be associated with a group who are clearly pursuing an agenda which is inconsistent with what we stand for (see "Go Figure Op Ed" March 25 2003 posting in archive).
The video in question may be viewed here
IS U.S. PROVOKING WAR WITH SHIA'S?
Bremer is deliberately pushing Iraq's Shia south into all-out chaos
Naomi Klein in Baghdad
"I heard the sound of freedom in Baghdad's Firdos Square, the famous plaza where the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled one year ago. It sounds like machine-gun fire.
On Sunday, Iraqi soldiers, trained and controlled by coalition forces, opened fire on a demonstration here. As the protesters returned to their homes in the poor neighbourhood of Sadr City, the US army followed with tanks, helicopters and planes, firing at random on homes, shops, streets, even ambulances. According to local hospitals, 47 people were killed and many more injured. In Najaf, the day was also bloody: 20 demonstrators dead, more than 150 injured.
Make no mistake: this is not the "civil war" that Washington has been predicting will break out between Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. Rather, it is a war provoked by the US occupation authority and waged by its forces against the growing number of Shia who support Moqtada al-Sadr. GUARDIAN
Bremer is deliberately pushing Iraq's Shia south into all-out chaos
Naomi Klein in Baghdad
"I heard the sound of freedom in Baghdad's Firdos Square, the famous plaza where the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled one year ago. It sounds like machine-gun fire.
On Sunday, Iraqi soldiers, trained and controlled by coalition forces, opened fire on a demonstration here. As the protesters returned to their homes in the poor neighbourhood of Sadr City, the US army followed with tanks, helicopters and planes, firing at random on homes, shops, streets, even ambulances. According to local hospitals, 47 people were killed and many more injured. In Najaf, the day was also bloody: 20 demonstrators dead, more than 150 injured.
Make no mistake: this is not the "civil war" that Washington has been predicting will break out between Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. Rather, it is a war provoked by the US occupation authority and waged by its forces against the growing number of Shia who support Moqtada al-Sadr. GUARDIAN
